Securing Container Images in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Container and container image security is a critical priority when developing and running applications in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). Outdated base images or unpatched application runtimes can introduce security risks and potential attack vectors. To minimize these risks, you can integrate and run scanning and remediation tools within your containers during the build and runtime phases. The earlier you can identify and address vulnerabilities or outdated base images, the more secure your application will be.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore best practices for securing container images in AKS, covering the following topics:

Scan for and Remediate Image Vulnerabilities

  • Incorporate a process to scan container images using tools like Twistlock or Aqua as part of your deployment workflow.
  • Only allow verified, secure images to be deployed, leveraging the vulnerability scanning capabilities built into Azure Container Registry.
  • Automate the image scanning, verification, and deployment processes using a continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline.

Automatically Update Base Images

  • Whenever a base image is updated, automatically rebuild and deploy any downstream application container images.
  • Integrate this automated build process into your validation and deployment pipelines, such as Azure Pipelines or Jenkins, to ensure your applications continue to run on the latest secure base images.
  • Utilize Azure Container Registry Tasks to automatically update container images when the base image is updated, keeping your base images patched with the latest bug and security fixes.

Secure the Images and Runtime

  • Regularly scan and update the base images and application runtimes used in your containers to address vulnerabilities and security issues.
  • Redeploy your workloads in the AKS cluster after updating the container images to ensure you’re running the latest secure versions.

By implementing these best practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your container-based applications in Azure Kubernetes Service, protecting your organization from potential attacks and vulnerabilities.

For more information, refer to the following resources: