analyzing-kubernetes-audit-logs

category	cybersecurity
description	Parses Kubernetes API server audit logs (JSON lines) to detect exec-into-pod, secret access, RBAC modifications, privileged pod creation, and anonymous API access. Builds threat detection rules from audit event patterns. Use when investigating Kubernetes cluster compromise or building k8s-specific SIEM detection rules.
domain	cybersecurity
license	Apache-2.0
mitre_attack	["T1610","T1613","T1078","T1552.007"]
name	analyzing-kubernetes-audit-logs
nist_csf	["PR.PS-01","PR.IR-01","ID.AM-08","DE.CM-01"]
subdomain	container-security
tags	["kubernetes-security","container-security","audit-log-analysis","rbac","privilege-escalation","k8s-api-server","threat-detection"]
version	1.0

Analyzing Kubernetes Audit Logs

When to Use

• When investigating security incidents that require analyzing kubernetes audit logs
• When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
• When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
• When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with container security concepts and tools
• Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
• Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
• Appropriate authorization for any testing activities

Instructions

Parse Kubernetes audit log files (JSON lines format) to detect security-relevant events including unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration.

import json

with open("/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log") as f:
    for line in f:
        event = json.loads(line)
        verb = event.get("verb")
        resource = event.get("objectRef", {}).get("resource")
        user = event.get("user", {}).get("username")
        if verb == "create" and resource == "pods/exec":
            print(f"Pod exec by {user}")

Key events to detect:

1. pods/exec and pods/attach (shell into containers)
2. secrets access (get/list/watch)
3. clusterrolebindings creation (RBAC escalation)
4. Privileged pod creation
5. Anonymous or system:unauthenticated access

Examples

# Detect secret enumeration
if verb in ("get", "list") and resource == "secrets":
    print(f"Secret access: {user} -> {event['objectRef'].get('name')}")