Kube-hunter

Kube-hunter is designed for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in Kubernetes clusters, a task that is increasingly complex due to the dynamic and distributed nature of these environments.

Technically, kube-hunter operates through several deployment methods, each offering a different perspective on cluster security. You can run it remotely from any machine, targeting the cluster's IP or domain, which provides an attacker's view of the setup. Alternatively, you can run it directly on a machine within the cluster or even as a pod within the cluster, simulating the impact of a compromised application pod. This flexibility allows for comprehensive vulnerability scanning, including network interface probing and exploitation of discovered vulnerabilities in active hunting mode, though this mode can be risky as it may alter the cluster's state.

The tool is built using Python and can be executed either from source or via a containerized version maintained by Aqua Security. The containerized version includes additional reporting capabilities, but its use is subject to specific terms and conditions. Kube-hunter leverages a pluggable architecture, allowing users to extend its functionality with custom plugins, which can add new hunters or define additional events without modifying the core codebase.

Operationally, kube-hunter requires careful consideration due to its potential to alter the cluster state, especially in active hunting mode. It is essential to ensure that the tool is run in a controlled environment and with proper authorization to avoid unintended consequences. Additionally, the tool's interactive mode and various scanning options need to be managed to optimize its performance and minimize disruptions to the cluster.