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continuist 2025-09-02 20:32:47 -04:00
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● Given the exposed Docker API and high CPU usage, I strongly recommend starting with a fresh Linode. The privileged container access means attackers could have gained full system control.
Why fresh start is safer:
1. Persistent access: Attackers often install backdoors that survive container removal
2. Rootkit detection: Sophisticated compromises are hard to fully detect and remove
3. Time vs security: Rebuilding is faster than forensic analysis for production systems
If you must keep this instance:
1. Immediate isolation: Disconnect from network, change all credentials
2. Full forensic analysis: Requires security expertise to ensure complete cleanup
3. Higher risk: Potential for undetected persistence mechanisms
For a production CI system, the clean rebuild approach is more secure and time-efficient in the long run.
> What simple steps can I take in the future to make sure this won't happen even as I am setting up my podman containers and testing them?
● Critical Security Steps for Future Setup:
1. NEVER Expose Docker/Podman API Publicly
# UNSAFE (what caused the issue):
podman run -p 2375:2375 --privileged ...
# SECURE Alternatives:
# Use UNIX socket (local only)
podman run -v /var/run/podman.sock:/var/run/podman.sock
# Or use SSH tunnel for remote access
ssh -L 2375:localhost:2375 user@host
2. Firewall First Approach
# Block all incoming by default
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
# Only open specific needed ports
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw allow 80,443 # web only if needed
sudo ufw enable
3. Avoid Privileged Containers
# Instead of --privileged, use specific capabilities:
podman run --cap-add NET_ADMIN --cap-add SYS_ADMIN ...
# Or use security opts:
podman run --security-opt=no-new-privileges ...
4. Test in Isolated Network
# Create internal network
podman network create ci-network
# Run containers on internal network only
podman run --network ci-network ...
● 5. Monitoring During Setup
# Watch CPU/memory during testing
htop
# Monitor network connections
sudo ss -tulpn
# Check container processes
podman top <container>
6. Use Temporary Testing Environment
- Test container configurations on local machine first
- Use development Linode that can be easily rebuilt
- Never expose testing containers to public internet
The key is: never expose container management APIs (Docker/Podman ports) to the internet, and always start with a deny-all firewall policy.