---

name: performing-container-escape-detection description: >- Audits container and pod configuration for escape-enabling misconfiguration using the Kubernetes Python client - privileged flags, dangerous capability grants, host path mounts, shared namespaces, and CVE-2022-0492 style cgroup abuse. Use when sweeping a cluster for workloads that could break out, producing a posture report, or checking configuration before enforcement is switched on. Keywords: privileged, hostPath, hostPID, capabilities, CVE-2022-0492, cgroup, kubernetes python client, posture audit. Do not use for runtime syscall-based detection - use detecting-container-escape-attempts.

' domain: cybersecurity subdomain: container-security tags:

• container-security
• container-escape
• privileged-container
• namespace-analysis
• linux-capabilities
• threat-detection version: '1.0' author: mahipal license: Apache-2.0 nist_csf:
• PR.PS-01
• PR.IR-01
• ID.AM-08
• DE.CM-01 mitre_attack:
• T1610
• T1611
• T1609
• T1525

---

Performing Container Escape Detection

When to Use

• When conducting security assessments that involve performing container escape detection
• When following incident response procedures for related security events
• When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
• When validating security controls through hands-on testing

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

Audit Kubernetes pods for container escape vectors including privileged mode, dangerous capabilities, host namespace sharing, and writable hostPath mounts.

from kubernetes import client, config
config.load_kube_config()
v1 = client.CoreV1Api()

pods = v1.list_pod_for_all_namespaces()
for pod in pods.items:
    for container in pod.spec.containers:
        sc = container.security_context
        if sc and sc.privileged:
            print(f"PRIVILEGED: {pod.metadata.namespace}/{pod.metadata.name}")

Key escape vectors:

1. Privileged containers (full host access)
2. CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability
3. Host PID/Network/IPC namespace sharing
4. Writable hostPath mounts to / or /etc
5. Docker socket mount (/var/run/docker.sock)

Examples

# Check for docker socket mounts
for vol in pod.spec.volumes or []:
    if vol.host_path and "docker.sock" in (vol.host_path.path or ""):
        print(f"Docker socket exposed: {pod.metadata.name}")