Container security has become a focal point for businesses embracing modern technologies. Containers offer a flexible, portable, and scalable way to deploy applications and bring unique security challenges. Their distributed nature, dynamic environments, and microservices architecture introduce various container security risks that can expose businesses to vulnerabilities. These include misconfigurations, bugs, authentication failures, and inadequate monitoring across multiple layers of the containerized environment.
At Veritis, we specialize in helping organizations tackle these challenges by offering tailored container security solutions. By leveraging advanced tools and adhering to container security best practices, we help businesses secure their containerized workloads while mitigating potential container security vulnerabilities. Our solutions ensure that organizations have a robust framework for cloud container security, providing end-to-end protection for containers in modern cloud infrastructures.
Understanding Container Security Risks
Container security risks are majorly categorized as:
- Compromise of a container image or container as a whole
- Misuse a container to attack other containers, the host Operating System (OS), or other hosts, among others
Besides, there are also risks associated with core components of the container ecosystem, such as images, registries, orchestrators, containers, and host OS’, as described by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):
| Risk Type | Description |
| Image Risks | This includes image vulnerabilities, configuration defects, embedded malware, embedded clear text secrets, and the use of untrusted images. |
| Registry Risks | Insecure connections to registries, Stale images in registries, Insufficient authentication and authorization restrictions |
| Orchestrator Risks | Unbounded administrative access, unauthorized access, poorly separated inter-container network traffic, mixing of workload sensitivity levels and orchestrator node trust |
| Container Risks | Vulnerabilities within the runtime software, unbounded network access from containers, insecure container runtime configurations, App vulnerabilities, and Rogue containers |
| Host OS Risk | Large attack surface, shared kernel, Host OS component vulnerabilities, improper user access rights, and host OS file system tampering |
Now that we have seen the different container security risks, we shall examine the best practices for handling them.
Container Security Best Practices
Fig: Container Technology Architecture Tiers, Components, and Lifecycle Phases
Here are 6 container security best practices that NIST recommends:
1) Protect Container Images
Container images are a central component of the container ecosystem and often serve as the foundation for application deployments. However, these images can be vulnerable to attacks if not properly secured. Outdated images, insecure software versions, or hidden malware can introduce significant container security risks. At Veritis, we emphasize the importance of using container security tools to continuously scan and monitor container images throughout their lifecycle, from the build stage to deployment.
Organizations should adopt a pipeline-based approach to image management, integrating vulnerability management tools at each stage to identify and address security issues early. To detect and resolve vulnerabilities, these tools provide visibility across all image layers, including the base layer and custom software components. Additionally, implementing automated quality gates ensures that only secure images that meet organizational standards proceed through the development lifecycle.
2) Safeguard Registries
Registries, which store container images, can also become targets for attacks if not adequately protected. Veritis advises organizations to implement encryption and secure access controls to protect these registries. Pulling container images from trusted sources and ensuring encrypted, authenticated connections between registries and runtimes is essential for cloud container security.
Additionally, regular audits of registries are critical to ensuring that outdated or unused images—potential sources of vulnerabilities—are removed promptly. Automating this process through time-based triggers or labels can help maintain clean and secure registries. Organizations can reduce container security risks by using immutable image names and identifying specific versions of valuable images.
3) Secure Orchestrators
Container orchestrators, which manage containerized applications’ deployment, scaling, and operation, are critical components of the container environment. However, they are also a potential point of failure regarding security. Veritis recommends applying strict access controls to orchestrators, including the most miniature privilege model. This limits user actions to only what is necessary for their roles, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to containers and their components.
Additionally, using multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative accounts and segmenting network traffic between workloads can enhance container security. Orchestrators should also be configured to create isolated environments for public-facing applications and sensitive internal workloads, offering another layer of security by segmenting containers based on purpose and sensitivity. This method minimizes the attack surface and strengthens container security solutions by preventing vulnerabilities from spreading across containers.
4) Harden Container Runtimes
Container runtimes, the software responsible for managing container lifecycles, are another critical area that must be secured. Vulnerabilities within runtimes can expose containers and the host operating system (OS) to attacks, making them a significant concern for container security risks. Veritis recommends regular patching and updates to container runtimes to address vulnerabilities as they arise.
Moreover, misconfigured runtimes can pose serious security threats, allowing unrestricted access to host devices or allowing attackers to bypass security controls. By configuring runtimes with appropriate access levels and applying network filters, organizations can limit exposure to container security vulnerabilities. Network monitoring tools are also essential to detecting anomalous activity in container environments, allowing for prompt response to potential breaches.
5) Protect the Host OS
The host operating system (OS) is the foundation on which containers run, and it remains one of the most critical components to protect. If the host OS is compromised, all containers operating within that environment are at risk. Veritis advises organizations to use minimalistic, container-specific operating systems to minimize the attack surface and reduce the risks associated with general-purpose OSs.
Host OSs should be limited to running containers exclusively, with no additional services, such as web servers or databases, to avoid potential security vulnerabilities. Regular scans of the host OS are crucial for promptly identifying and addressing any issues. Additionally, applying security updates, especially to lower-level components like the kernel, is vital for maintaining cloud container security. Proper configuration is also crucial—running the host OS as immutable infrastructure helps ensure reliability and reduces potential attack vectors.
6) Automate Security Processes
Automation is vital in maintaining container security, particularly in extensive deployments involving numerous containers. Veritis recommends automating key security processes such as vulnerability checks, software updates, and image scanning to reduce and minimize manual effort and enhance the overall security posture. While many orchestrators offer built-in automation for basic tasks, administrators should integrate additional container security tools to ensure comprehensive coverage.
By automating security tasks, organizations can more efficiently manage large-scale container environments, reduce the likelihood of human error, and maintain consistent protection. Automating internal workflows and security procedures also helps streamline operations and ensures better compliance with container security best practices.
In Conclusion
Securing these environments becomes increasingly crucial as container technology becomes more widely adopted. By following container security best practices, such as protecting container images, securing orchestrators, and automating security processes, businesses can mitigate container security risks and protect their cloud infrastructure. Veritis, a Globee Award, and American Business Awards winner offers industry-leading container security solutions that help organizations navigate the complexities of containerization while ensuring robust protection against vulnerabilities—partner with Veritis to secure your containerized applications and ensure resilient cloud operations.
Also Read:
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