Policy bypass through a direct API

An agent avoids a guarded tool path and reaches the same downstream API through another credential or network route.

01 / Attack path

How the boundary is crossed

A guarded Kubernetes tool denies delete, but a shell tool inside the same runtime can call the cluster API directly.

Attack path and interception point
  1. 01Lower-trust input
  2. 02Attempted instruction
  3. 03Protected action
  4. 04Enforced decision

02 / Containment

Where bounded authority limits the effect

Place enforcement at the cluster API or a non-bypassable boundary, remove alternate credentials and compare protected API logs with policy decisions.

03 / Failure and evidence

The attacker’s opportunity and the defender’s record

Exploit condition

The wrapper’s clean audit log is mistaken for proof that no deletion occurred.

Evidence to retain

Find unpaired cluster operations, credential used, denied wrapper attempt and observed resource state.

04 / Canonical scope

Why this reference stands alone

Executor bypass covers a denied request slipping past execution; this page owns an alternate route.

Protocol or attack trace

Alternate-route probe

Sequence

Kubernetes wrapper denies deletion; shell tool reaches cluster API with same service credential.

Negative test

Cluster-side policy or credential separation denies raw delete and flags operation without a decision ID.

Primary references

Read the underlying material

Architecture discussion

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