T1610: Deploy Container
Adversaries may deploy a container into an environment to facilitate execution or evade defenses. In some cases, adversaries may deploy a new container to execute processes associated with a particular image or deployment, such as processes that execute or download malware. In others, an adversary may deploy a new container configured without network rules, user limitations, etc. to bypass existing defenses within the environment. In Kubernetes environments, an adversary may attempt to deploy a privileged or vulnerable container into a specific node in order to Escape to Host and access other containers running on the node.
Containers can be deployed by various means, such as via Docker's <code>create</code> and <code>start</code> APIs or via a web application such as the Kubernetes dashboard or Kubeflow. In Kubernetes environments, containers may be deployed through workloads such as ReplicaSets or DaemonSets, which can allow containers to be deployed across multiple nodes. Adversaries may deploy containers based on retrieved or built malicious images or from benign images that download and execute malicious payloads at runtime.
How it's found
Behavior-chain detection for T1610 Deploy Container across Docker & Kubernetes control/node planes: Remote/API driven creation **and** start of a container whose image is not on an allow‑list (or is tagged `latest`), executed by a non-admin principal, and/or started with risky runtime attributes (e.g., `--privileged`, host PID/NET namespaces, sensitive host path mounts, capability adds). Correlates *create* ➜ *start* ➜ first network/process actions from that container within a short time window.
Standards mapping
Where this fits in a TurboPentest engagement
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Frequently asked questions
What is T1610 Deploy Container?
Adversaries may deploy a container into an environment to facilitate execution or evade defenses. In some cases, adversaries may deploy a new container to execute processes associated with a particular image or deployment, such as processes that execute or download malware. In others, an adversary may deploy a new container configured without network rules, user limitations, etc. to bypass existing defenses within the environment. In Kubernetes environments, an adversary may attempt to deploy a privileged or vulnerable container into a specific node in order to Escape to Host and access other containers running on the node. Containers can be deployed by various means, such as via Docker's <code>create</code> and <code>start</code> APIs or via a web application such as the Kubernetes dashboard or Kubeflow. In Kubernetes environments, containers may be deployed through workloads such as ReplicaSets or DaemonSets, which can allow containers to be deployed across multiple nodes. Adversaries may deploy containers based on retrieved or built malicious images or from benign images that download and execute malicious payloads at runtime.
Which tactics does T1610 belong to?
T1610 maps to the Execution tactic.
Does TurboPentest test for Deploy Container?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Related MITRE ATT&CK techniques
- ExecutionT1047: Windows Management Instrumentation
- Execution, Persistence, Privilege EscalationT1053: Scheduled Task/Job
- ExecutionT1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter
- Execution, Lateral MovementT1072: Software Deployment Tools
- ExecutionT1106: Native API
- Execution, StealthT1127: Trusted Developer Utilities Proxy Execution
About this reference
These security references are maintained by IntegSec, an offensive-security firm whose team holds CISSP, OSCP, and OSCE certifications and has run thousands of penetration tests. Content is kept current as tools, standards, and attack techniques evolve.
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