Suspicious Direct etcd Database Access via etcdctl With Server Certificates (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Cred Access

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1609Container Administration Command
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
- T1552.001Credentials In Files
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects execution of etcdctl using the etcd server certificates and the local etcd endpoint to read or write cluster state directly. Post-exploitation of a compromised etcd in Kubernetes clusters abuses this path to bypass the kube-apiserver and its admission controls. Direct database access lets an attacker read secrets or inject resources with full control over the cluster.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1552.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Direct etcd Database Access via etcdctl With Server Certificates (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1552.001 · 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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