Execution: Netcat Remote Code Execution in Container

This document describes a threat finding type in Security Command Center. Threat findings are generated by threat detectors when they detect a potential threat in your cloud resources. For a full list of available threat findings, see Threat findings index.

Overview

A known network utility, Netcat, was executed in a manner consistent with remote code execution attempts. This could indicate an attacker is using Netcat to establish a reverse shell, transfer files, or create unauthorized network tunnels within the container. Such activity is a serious security concern, because it suggests an attempt to gain remote control over the container, bypass security controls, or pivot to other systems within the network. Unauthorized remote code execution can lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the environment.

Cloud Run Threat Detection is the source of this finding.

How to respond

To respond to this finding, do the following:

Review finding details

  1. Open the Execution: Netcat Remote Code Execution in Container finding as directed in Reviewing findings. Review the details on the Summary and JSON tabs.

  2. On the Summary tab, review the information in the following sections.

    • What was detected, especially the following fields:
      • Program binary: the absolute path of the executed binary
      • Arguments: the arguments passed during binary execution
    • Affected resource, especially the following fields:

  3. On the JSON tab, note the following fields.

    • resource:
      • project_display_name: the name of the project that contains the affected Cloud Run resource
    • finding:
      • processes:
        • binary:
        • path: the full path of the executed binary
      • args: the arguments that were provided when the binary was executed

  4. Identify other findings that occurred at a similar time for the affected container. Related findings might indicate that this activity was malicious, instead of a failure to follow best practices.

  5. Review the settings of the affected container.

  6. Check the logs for the affected container.

Research attack and response methods

  1. Review MITRE ATT&CK framework entries for this finding type: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell.
  2. To develop a response plan, combine your investigation results with MITRE research.

Implement your response

For response recommendations, see Respond to Cloud Run threat findings.

What's next