Containers and Kubernetes: A Crucial Yet Vulnerable Aspect of Multi-Cloud App Development
Containers and Kubernetes have emerged as essential tools for multi-cloud application development, yet they remain among the least protected components of software supply chains. Currently, Kubernetes dominates the container orchestration platform market with a staggering 92% share, even as DevOps teams express concerns about its security. Its widespread adoption stems from its portability, open-source architecture, user-friendliness, and scalability.
According to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation’s recent Kubernetes report, 28% of organizations run over 90% of their workloads in insecure Kubernetes configurations. Additionally, more than 71% of workloads operate with root access, heightening the risk of system breaches and exposure of sensitive data. Many DevOps teams neglect to configure readOnlyRootFilesystem to true, leaving their containers vulnerable to attacks and unauthorized executable files.
The Growing Importance of Container Security
Gartner forecasts that by 2029, over 95% of enterprises will deploy containerized applications in production, escalated from under 50% last year. In the next five years, 35% of all enterprise applications will be containerized, and over 80% of commercial software vendors will provide their products in container format, rising from less than 30% last year. As containers and their orchestration platforms become pivotal in DevOps and DevSecOps across enterprises, the urgency for robust security measures intensifies.
Despite this growth, containers represent a significant vulnerability in software supply chains. Organizations face challenges such as misconfigured cloud, container, and network settings, and unclear ownership of security responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle. Attackers exploit these gaps, targeting vulnerabilities in container images, runtimes, APIs, and registries. Furthermore, unsecured containers with minimal identity security can be easily compromised by insider threats.
Poorly secured container images may enable attackers to extend breaches across entire networks, with most intrusions going undetected for an average of 277 days. This highlights the critical need for enhanced security measures.
Ten Strategies to Secure Containers and Protect Supply Chains
1. Leverage NIST’s Application Container Security Guide: This guide provides key insights into potential risks and practical recommendations for mitigating those risks. Organizations should ensure developers are well-equipped with the necessary information, skills, and tools to make informed security decisions.
2. Implement Container-Specific Security Tools: If not already in place, develop a clear roadmap for security tools tailored for containers. Start with tools designed to manage vulnerabilities, enforce access controls, and ensure compliance, such as Red Hat’s Clair and Anchore for Kubernetes image scanning.
3. Enforce Strict Access Controls: Organizations should adopt a zero-trust approach by enforcing the principle of least privilege for container access permissions, particularly for administrative roles.
4. Regularly Update Container Images: Consistent updates are crucial for security. Utilize automation tools like Watchtower and Google Cloud’s Artifact Registry to keep container images updated and secure.
5. Automate Security in CI/CD Pipelines: Introduce automated security checks in CI/CD pipelines to detect vulnerabilities early. Use container-specific tools for static code analysis and runtime scanning to ensure images come from trusted registries.
6. Conduct Thorough Vulnerability Scanning: Regular vulnerability assessments of container images and registries help identify and mitigate security risks before deployment. Tools from Aqua Security, Qualys, and Sysdig Secure are valuable in this context.
7. Manage Secrets Effectively: Strong secrets management is essential. Use container image signatures and provenance verification tools to secure the software supply chain and maintain the integrity of components.
8. Isolate Sensitive Workloads: In alignment with zero-trust principles, segment containers based on the sensitivity of the data they contain and implement robust layers of identity and access management.
9. Adopt Immutable Infrastructure: Implement an immutable infrastructure strategy, where servers are not modified post-deployment. New servers should be created from a common image to incorporate updates, utilizing platforms like AWS Fargate and Google Kubernetes Engine.
10. Implement Advanced Network Policies: Enhance visibility into network traffic to improve segmentation and enforce security constraints. Consider solutions from vendors like Cisco and Check Point Software for managing security operations effectively.
By adopting these strategies, organizations can bolster container security, safeguarding their software supply chains against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
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