The main security risks in cloud-native architecture include:
Container and Image Vulnerabilities
Containers share the host OS kernel, making them susceptible to kernel exploits. Vulnerabilities in container images (e.g., outdated dependencies, malware) can lead to breaches.
Example: An attacker exploits a vulnerable library in a Docker image to gain unauthorized access.
Mitigation: Use Tencent Cloud Container Registry (TCR) to scan images for vulnerabilities and enforce image signing.
Kubernetes Misconfigurations
Improperly configured Kubernetes clusters (e.g., exposed APIs, overly permissive RBAC) can allow unauthorized access or resource hijacking.
Example: A misconfigured kubelet API exposes sensitive cluster data.
Mitigation: Use Tencent Cloud TKE (Tencent Kubernetes Engine) with built-in security policies and automated compliance checks.
Supply Chain Attacks
Compromised dependencies or malicious code in CI/CD pipelines can introduce backdoors.
Example: A hacker injects malware into a package downloaded from an untrusted registry.
Mitigation: Use Tencent Cloud CodePipeline with secure coding practices and dependency scanning.
Insecure APIs
Cloud-native apps rely heavily on APIs, which, if unprotected, can be abused for data exfiltration or attacks.
Example: An unauthenticated API endpoint leaks user data.
Mitigation: Use Tencent Cloud API Gateway with authentication, rate limiting, and WAF integration.
Data Leakage and Storage Risks
Misconfigured cloud storage (e.g., public S3-like buckets) or lack of encryption can expose sensitive data.
Example: A developer accidentally sets a Tencent COS (Cloud Object Storage) bucket to public.
Mitigation: Enable Tencent COS with server-side encryption and access control policies.
Privilege Escalation
Overly permissive service accounts or insecure pod security policies can allow attackers to escalate privileges.
Example: A compromised container gains root access to the host.
Mitigation: Use Tencent Cloud Security Center to monitor and enforce least-privilege access.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
Cloud-native apps are vulnerable to resource exhaustion attacks (e.g., excessive API calls).
Example: A botnet floods a Kubernetes service with requests, causing downtime.
Mitigation: Use Tencent Cloud Anti-DDoS and rate-limiting mechanisms.
Proactive security measures, such as Tencent Cloud Security Products (e.g., T-Sec, Host Security, Container Security), help mitigate these risks.