Malicious Direct etcd Write to Kubernetes Registry via ETCDCTL_API (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1609Container Administration Command
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1611Escape to Host
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects direct writes to the Kubernetes object store held in etcd by invoking etcdctl v3 against the /registry key space. Attackers who compromise etcd use this to inject privileged pods or hidden namespace resources that never pass through the kube-apiserver. Bypassing the API server evades admission controllers and audit logging while granting node and cluster takeover.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1611 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious Direct etcd Write to Kubernetes Registry via ETCDCTL_API (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1611 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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