
Why Traditional Vulnerability Scanners Fail in Kubernetes and Cloud Environments
Traditional vulnerability management approaches break down when applied to containers and cloud infrastructure because containers are ephemeral, internal networks are invisible from the outside, and misconfigurations can be introduced at build time. The article highlights the 2018 Tesla Kubernetes incident where an exposed dashboard allowed cryptomining via stolen AWS credentials without any code vulnerabilities. Container security tools are required to scan images during build, enforce policies at deployment, and monitor runtime behavior, unlike classic scanners that only examine running workloads. Key configuration risks include privileged pods, missing NetworkPolicy objects, and overly broad RBAC roles such as cluster-admin. Supply chain protections like Sigstore image signing and SBOM generation are presented as essential for preventing compromised base images and hidden dependencies. Cloud environments add shared responsibility models, dynamic scaling challenges, and regulatory constraints that further limit the effectiveness of legacy VM tools. Specialized platforms such as CNAPP solutions are recommended alongside Russian domestic tools like PT Container Security and Kaspersky Container Security.
HabrOct 21, 2026Translated from Russian





