Ldap Sidecar Injection

Ldap Sidecar Injection is an attack where malicious code exploits insecure configuration or input handling in an LDAP sidecar container or helper process. By injecting crafted queries into the sidecar, an attacker can pivot into the main application, escalate privileges, or extract sensitive directory data. This is not LDAP injection in the core app alone—here the danger moves laterally through the infrastructure you thought was safe.

A sidecar pattern is common in microservices and Kubernetes deployments. It runs alongside your primary application, often sharing volumes, network, or environment variables. When that sidecar handles directory lookups, authentication, or user sync tasks, it becomes a target. If request validation is weak, LDAP queries pass straight from the attacker’s input into the directory, bypassing core API defenses.

Attackers exploit these gaps by sending payloads designed to alter search filters, cause privilege changes, or dump attributes. In real incidents, abused sidecars have granted direct access to user accounts, group memberships, and even admin roles. The risk grows when sidecars share credentials through environment variables or mounted secrets.

Prevention hinges on strict separation between sidecars and the main service, locked-down access controls, and input sanitization before any LDAP operation. Disable anonymous binds, whitelist expected queries, and monitor all sidecar traffic for anomalous patterns. Keep dependencies updated, and patch LDAP libraries that process filters or search paths.

Detection requires deep logging. Trace every query from the sidecar to the directory. Compare against a baseline of expected operations. Alert on any modification or search hitting sensitive branches. Hook telemetry into your CI/CD pipeline so new deployments ship with sidecar hardening by default.

Do not trust an “internal” component only because it sits in the same pod. The sidecar, like any other service, must be treated as potentially hostile input. Segment networks, restrict privileges, and never assume your surface area stops at the main container.

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