[![Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PANW_Parent.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/) [![Unit42 Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/unit42-logo-white.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) Menu * [Tools](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tools/) * [ATOMs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atoms/) * [Security Consulting](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42) * [About Us](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/about-unit-42/) * [**Under Attack?**](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/contact-unit42.html) English * [English](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/rootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security/) * [Japanese](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ja/rootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security/) * [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/ "Threat Research") * [Cloud Cybersecurity Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cloud-cybersecurity-research/ "Cloud Cybersecurity Research") [Cloud Cybersecurity Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cloud-cybersecurity-research/) # Rootless Containers: The Next Trend in Container Security ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 6 min read Related Products [![Prisma Cloud icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/prisma_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Prisma Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/prisma-cloud/ "Prisma Cloud") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Aviv Sasson](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/aviv-sasson/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:May 26, 2020 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Cloud Cybersecurity Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cloud-cybersecurity-research/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Podman LXC Container Security](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/podman-lxc-container-security/) * [Rootless Containers](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/rootless-containers/) * [Slirp](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/slirp/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/rootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=f6e4b1f2e6 "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/rootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=f6e4b1f2e6 "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-share-link.svg) * [![Link Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-sms.svg)](mailto:?subject=Rootless%20Containers:%20The%20Next%20Trend%20in%20Container%20Security&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Frootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security%2F "Share in email") * [![Facebook Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-fb-share.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Frootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security%2F "Share in Facebook") * [![LinkedIn Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-linkedin-share.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Frootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security%2F&title=Rootless%20Containers:%20The%20Next%20Trend%20in%20Container%20Security "Share in LinkedIn") * [![Twitter Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-twitter-share.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Frootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security%2F&text=Rootless%20Containers:%20The%20Next%20Trend%20in%20Container%20Security "Share in Twitter") * [![Reddit Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Frootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Rootless%20Containers:%20The%20Next%20Trend%20in%20Container%20Security%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Frootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## **Executive Summary** As cloud computing evolves, containers continue to become more and more popular. New solutions and ideas to the way we implement containers are being introduced. One of these new ideas is rootless containers. Rootless containers is a new concept of containers that don't require root privileges in order to formulate. Many solutions have been proposed to overcome the technological challenges of creating a container with an unprivileged user, some of them are still under development and some are production-ready. While rootless containers present some advantages, mainly from a security perspective, they are still in their early stages. In this post, Unit 42 researcher Aviv Sasson reviews the internals of rootless containers. Aviv also presents a vulnerability he found in one of the major rootless networking components called Slirp. Palo Alto Networks customers running [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud) are protected from this vulnerability with the host and container vulnerability scanner, which alerts on software components running with this vulnerability. #### Background As the name implies, rootless containers are the same as conventional containers but differentiate in the fact that they don't need root privileges in order to be formed. Nowadays, rootless containers are still in early adoption stages, but are already supported by the major players in the field. There are several reasons why rootless containers have emerged. * * Adding a new security layer. In case the container engine, runtime or orchestrator is compromised, the attacker won't gain root privileges on the host. * Allowing multiple unprivileged users to run containers on the same machine (e.g. [HPC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer)). * Allowing isolation inside nested containers. This solution was made possible by a new development in the Linux kernel that allows unprivileged users to create new [user namespaces](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man7/user_namespaces.7.html). When a user creates and enters a new user namespace, he becomes root in the context of that namespace and gains most of the privileges required to spawn a functioning container. I won't dig into user namespace technicalities, but namespace root isn't as privileged as real root in areas that affect the entire system (for example, a namespace root cannot load or delete kernel modules). This led to some challenges that were solved differently by each container engine. #### **Networking** In order to allow proper networking inside a container, usually, a Virtual Ethernet device (VETH) is created and in charge of the networking. This poses a problem for rootless containers, as only real root has the privileges to create such devices. A number of solutions were proposed to solve the problem -- the main ones being Slirp and LXC-user-nic. #### **Slirp** Slirp was originally designed to be an internet dial-up for unprivileged users. In time, it found a new purpose as a networking stack for virtual machines and emulators, including the well-known [QEMU](https://wiki.qemu.org/Main_Page) (aka Quick Emulator). After some modifications, it was adjusted to enable networking in rootless containers. It works by forking into the container's user and network namespaces and creating a tap device that becomes the default route. It then passes the device's file descriptor to the parent who runs in the default network namespace, which is now able to communicate both with the container and the internet. ![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/slirp.jpg) Figure 1. Slirp networking flow #### **LXC-User-Nic** Another way to set up networking is by running a [setuid](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man2/setuid.2.html) binary that creates a VETH device. Although it does enable networking inside the container, it misses the point of rootless containers because it requires the container binary to run with root privileges. #### **Storage** One of the complex elements in implementing containers is storage management. By default, container engines use a special driver called Overlay2 (or Overlay) to create a layered filesystem that is efficient in both space and performance. This cannot be done with rootless containers, as most Linux distributions don't allow mounting overlay filesystems in user namespaces (Ubuntu is an exception). This problem drove rootless containers to work with other drivers and filesystems. The obvious solution was to use another driver, like the [VFS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_file_system) storage driver. While it works, it is significantly [less efficient](https://docs.docker.com/storage/storagedriver/vfs-driver/). The better solution was to create a new storage driver to suit the needs of rootless containers. One such driver is the [FUSE-OverlayFS](https://github.com/containers/fuse-overlayfs). It's a user-space implementation of Overlay, which is more efficient then VFS and can run inside user namespaces. #### **Cgroups** The Linux control group (cgroups) feature, another key element of implementing containers, allows processes and containers to be organized into hierarchical groups whose usage of various types of resources can then be limited and monitored. Since the kernel's cgroups interface is provided through a pseudo-filesystem that usually resides in "/sys" (a root owned directory), a non-root user cannot access and utilize it. To tackle this problem, two approaches were proposed: ##### **Cgroups V2** A new kernel implementation of cgroups that supports delegating permissions to unprivileged users. The downside is that V2 doesn't support all the controllers that were implemented for cgroups V1 (e.g. *devices* , *net\_cls, net\_prio,etc.*). ##### **PAM module** Another solution to the problem, by LXC, is to install pam\_cgfs.so, which is a Pluggable Authentication Module ([PAM module](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluggable_authentication_module)) that will allow unprivileged users to authenticate and manage cgroups. #### **Adoption status** The following container engines support rootless containers with the following components: |----------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------| | | **Docker** | **Podman** | **LXC** | | **Networking** | - Slirp - Lxc-user-nic - VPNkit | Slirp | Lxc-user-nic | | **Storage** | VFS | FUSE-OverlayFS | VFS | | **Cgroups** | No support | Limited support for cgroups v2 | PAM module | *Table 1. Adoption status* As seen in the table above, the most prominent container engines are working to support the various aspects of rootless containers, spearheaded by Podman and LXC. #### **Security** From a security perspective, there is a big benefit in using rootless containers. The premise in the security world is that every software can be compromised - whether by [vulnerabilities](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/breaking-docker-via-runc-explaining-cve-2019-5736/) or by [misconfigurations](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/misconfigured-and-exposed-container-services/) - and that includes container implementations. We should always run any software with as limited privileges as possible, so when a security bug is exploited the impact would be minimized. While rootless containers should be considered more secure, they utilize new features and components that haven't yet been widely tested and reviewed. These components may inadvertently become another attack vector. One example is the networking solution of rootless containers. LXE-user-nic, or Slirp, could be vulnerable to security issues that would affect both the container and host. LXE-user-nic has had multiple vulnerabilities that allowed privilege escalation, such as [CVE-2017-5985](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017-5985)and [CVE-2018-6556](https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2018/q3/81). Another example is Slirp. In recent years, several vulnerabilities were disclosed, including a [heap overflow](https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2018-11806/) that can lead to code execution on the host. In order to avoid a total takeover, Slirp's maintainers have added to their software a sandbox functionality and seccomp support, but the truth is that container engines run Slirp without the seccomp support as it's still experimental and therefore it may be possible to escape the sandbox. #### **Slirp - CVE-2020-1983** As part of my research, I conducted my own research on Slirp in order to detect and fix possible vulnerabilities. While fuzzing the software, I identified a use-after-free vulnerability that can crash Slirp. The vulnerability was assigned [CVE-2020-1983](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-1983). The issue has to do with how Slirp manages IP fragmentation. The maximum size of an IP packet is 65,535 bytes and when fragmenting IP fragments, this is supposed to be the limit. The bug here was that Slirp doesn't verify the size of the fragmented IP packet and when it tries to fragment a packet that is bigger than 65,535, it crashes. When Slirp stops, the container loses its network stack and effectively becomes unusable. Other vulnerabilities in libslirp could lead to code execution on the container and not just crashing. It could even lead to an eventual breakout from the container to the host and to other containers. In 2020, two of such vulnerabilities were found: [CVE-2020-8608](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-8608) and [CVE-2020-7039](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-7039). I would like to thank the Slirp development team for acknowledging my security advisory and quickly issuing a [fix patch](https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/slirp/libslirp/-/commit/9bd6c5913271eabcb7768a58197ed3301fe19f2d). The affected Slirp versions are 4.0.0 to 4.2.0. #### Prisma Cloud Protection Palo Alto Networks customers running [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud) are protected from this through the Prisma Cloud Compute host and container vulnerability scanner which alerts on vulnerable software components with this vulnerability. ![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/word-image-82.png) Figure 2. Prisma Cloud Compute host flag ## **Conclusion** Rootless containers present a new approach for containers that adds a major security layer. It could easily become the next trend in containers in the cloud. While there are still many limitations and some parts of their functionality are still experimental and are under development, I do think that with time and effort rootless containers could be fully functional and adopted by the community while taking the place of traditional containers. Back to top ### Tags * [Podman LXC Container Security](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/podman-lxc-container-security/ "Podman LXC Container Security") * [Rootless Containers](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/rootless-containers/ "Rootless Containers") * [Slirp](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/slirp/ "Slirp") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Eleethub: A Cryptocurrency Mining Botnet with Rootkit for Self-Hiding](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/los-zetas-from-eleethub-botnet/ "Eleethub: A Cryptocurrency Mining Botnet with Rootkit for Self-Hiding") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [New Vulnerability Affecting Container Engines CRI-O and Podman (CVE-2021-20291)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cve-2021-20291/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Cloud Cybersecurity Research Resources ![Pictorial representation of bucket hijacking technique for cloud data exfiltration. Digital illustration of Europe map highlighting network connections and nodes, depicted as glowing points and lines on a dark blue background, emphasizing major cities and connectivity across the continent.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/09_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) June 22, 2026 [#### The Global Namespace Risk: Universal Bucket Hijacking Technique for Cloud Data Exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-bucket-hijacking-risks/) * [AWS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aws/ "AWS") * [Bucket hijacking](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bucket-hijacking/ "bucket hijacking") * [Cloud data exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-data-exfiltration/ "cloud data exfiltration") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-bucket-hijacking-risks/ "The Global Namespace Risk: Universal Bucket Hijacking Technique for Cloud Data Exfiltration") ![Pictorial representation of Vertex AI model uploads. Close-up view of a digital wall displaying various glowing icons, representing a high-tech network interface.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1270203474-1-786x354.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) June 16, 2026 [#### Pickle in the Middle -- Hijacking Vertex AI Model Uploads for Cross-Tenant RCE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/hijacking-vertex-ai-model/) * [Bucket squatting](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bucket-squatting/ "bucket squatting") * [Google Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-cloud/ "Google Cloud") * [Joblib](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/joblib/ "joblib") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/hijacking-vertex-ai-model/ "Pickle in the Middle – Hijacking Vertex AI Model Uploads for Cross-Tenant RCE") ![Pictorial representation of Cloud Logging services for defense evasion. A vibrant digital illustration depicting a glowing, neon blue cloud symbol positioned over a circuit board landscape. The cloud symbolizes cloud computing technology, and the landscape features intricate electronic circuits with glowing lines and nodes, suggesting high-tech data transfer and connectivity.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) June 9, 2026 [#### Blinding the Watchmen: Abusing Cloud Logging Services for Defense Evasion and Visibility](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-logging-defense-evasion/) * [AWS CloudTrail](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aws-cloudtrail/ "AWS CloudTrail") * [Cloud logging](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-logging/ "cloud logging") * [Defense evasion](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/defense-evasion/ "defense evasion") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-logging-defense-evasion/ "Blinding the Watchmen: Abusing Cloud Logging Services for Defense Evasion and Visibility") ![Pictorial representation of ROADtools framework in the cloud. An Asian man wearing glasses sits in front of a computer screen. Reflecting in the glasses are lines indicating analysis. Bright blue city lights illuminate the rest of the image.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/10_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-1-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) May 22, 2026 [#### Paved With Intent: ROADtools and Nation-State Tactics in the Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/roadtools-cloud-attacks/) * [Curious Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/curious-serpens/ "Curious Serpens") * [Entra ID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/entra-id/ "Entra ID") * [Microsoft Azure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-azure/ "Microsoft Azure") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/roadtools-cloud-attacks/ "Paved With Intent: ROADtools and Nation-State Tactics in the Cloud") ![Pictorial representation of autonomous AI attack in cloud environments. Digital illustration of a glowing blue brain connected to a network of lines and lights.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/12_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) April 23, 2026 [#### Can AI Attack the Cloud? Lessons From Building an Autonomous Cloud Offensive Multi-Agent System](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/autonomous-ai-cloud-attacks/) * [AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai/ "AI") * [Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud/ "Cloud") * [Data exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/data-exfiltration/ "data exfiltration") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/autonomous-ai-cloud-attacks/ "Can AI Attack the Cloud? Lessons From Building an Autonomous Cloud Offensive Multi-Agent System") ![Pictorial representation of passwordless authentication. Futuristic cityscape with skyscrapers surrounded by glowing, neon-lit pathways and digital clouds. The sky is vibrant with pink and orange hues, giving a surreal, cyberpunk aesthetic.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/02_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) March 23, 2026 [#### Google Cloud Authenticator: The Hidden Mechanisms of Passwordless Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/passwordless-authentication/) * [Google](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google/ "Google") * [Google authenticator](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-authenticator/ "google authenticator") * [Google Chrome](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-chrome/ "Google Chrome") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/passwordless-authentication/ "Google Cloud Authenticator: The Hidden Mechanisms of Passwordless Authentication") ![Close-up of a black woman with glasses examining colorful computer code on a screen. The scene is illuminated by various lights, creating a focused and analytical atmosphere.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/13_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) February 6, 2026 [#### Novel Technique to Detect Cloud Threat Actor Operations](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tracking-threat-groups-through-cloud-logging/) * [API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api/ "API") * [IAM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/iam/ "IAM") * [MITRE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mitre/ "MITRE") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tracking-threat-groups-through-cloud-logging/ "Novel Technique to Detect Cloud Threat Actor Operations") ![Pictorial representation of Azure OpenAI DNS resolution issue. Futuristic cityscape illustration with luminous structures and floating cloud elements, showcasing advanced technology and a dynamic, digitally enhanced environment.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02_DNS_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) January 20, 2026 [#### DNS OverDoS: Are Private Endpoints Too Private?](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dos-attacks-and-azure-private-endpoint/) * [Microsoft Azure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-azure/ "Microsoft Azure") * [Networking](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/networking/ "networking") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dos-attacks-and-azure-private-endpoint/ "DNS OverDoS: Are Private Endpoints Too Private?") ![Pictorial representation of cloud discovery with AzureHound. A digital representation of a cloud composed of blue light particles, superimposed over a blurred background of server racks in a data center.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/08_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) October 24, 2025 [#### Cloud Discovery With AzureHound](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-actor-misuse-of-azurehound/) * [Control plane](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/control-plane/ "control plane") * [Curious Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/curious-serpens/ "Curious Serpens") * [Data plane](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/data-plane/ "data plane") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-actor-misuse-of-azurehound/ "Cloud Discovery With AzureHound") ![Pictorial representation of a gift card fraud campaign. A glowing skull and crossbones on a circuit board.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/07_Cybercrime_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) October 22, 2025 [#### Jingle Thief: Inside a Cloud-Based Gift Card Fraud Campaign](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-based-gift-card-fraud-campaign/) * [CL‑CRI‑1032](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-1032/ "CL‑CRI‑1032") * [Microsoft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft/ "Microsoft") * [Phishing](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/phishing/ "phishing") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-based-gift-card-fraud-campaign/ "Jingle Thief: Inside a Cloud-Based Gift Card Fraud Campaign") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. Subscribe today. Your Email Subscribe for email updates to all Unit 42 threat research. By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy "Privacy Statement") This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. Invalid captcha! Subscribe ![Right Arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/right-arrow.svg) ![loader](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-loader.svg) {#footer} Products and Services * [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security) * [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security) * [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security/prisma-airs) * [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security) * [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions) * [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention) * [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering) * [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire) * [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security) * [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention) * [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security) * [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security) * [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/ot-security-solution) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) * [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations) * [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls) * [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager) * [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription) * [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os) * [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama) * [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase) * [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase) * [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration) * [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem) * [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention) * [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access) * [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser) * [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan) * [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security) * [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex) * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud) * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud) * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security) * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security) * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security) * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud) * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex) * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam) * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar) * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse) * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response) * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam) * [Next-Generation Identity Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira) * [Privileged Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/privileged-access-management) * [Identity and Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-and-access-management) * [Endpoint Privilege Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/endpoint-privilege-manager) * [Identity Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-governance) * [Workforce Password Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/workforce-password-management) * [Agentic Identities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/agentic) * [Secrets Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/secrets-management) * [Unified Secrets Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/unified-secrets-governance) * [Application Credentials Delivery](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/application-credentials-delivery) * [Vendor Privileged Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/vendor-privileged-access) * [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42) * [Prepare for Emerging Risks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/frontier-ai-defense) * [Strengthen Your Defenses](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/strengthen-your-defenses) * [Build Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/build-your-security-strategy) * [Understand the Adversary](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence) * [Respond to a Cyber Attack](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond) Company * [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us) * [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/) * [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales) * [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility) * [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers) * [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations) * [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom) Popular Links * [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/) * [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities) * [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources) * [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia) * [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center) * [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z) * [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/certifications) * [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure) * [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap) * [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd) ![Palo Alto Networks Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg) * [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy) * [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center) * [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use) * [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal) Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved * [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks) * [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector) * [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/) * [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks) * [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks) * EN Select your language ![Play](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-play-icon.svg) ![Pause](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-pause-icon1.svg) ![Minimize](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-minimize.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ### Default Heading Read the article ![Right Arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/right-arrow.svg) Seekbar ![Play](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-play-icon.svg) ![Pause](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-pause-icon1.svg) ![Volume](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-volume.svg) Volume ![Minimize](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-minimize.svg)