I'm looking for the best methods to pass secrets like usernames and passwords to a container without exposing them. Since environment variables and command-line arguments can be viewed through container inspection, I'm concerned about security. I've also considered mounting a file, like an env file, from the host, but that doesn't seem like a suitable option either. What are some better alternatives for keeping secrets safe?
2 Answers
You might want to check out Docker's official documentation on handling secrets. It mentions using Docker Swarm for managing secrets as they get encrypted at rest. But keep in mind that even with Swarm, anyone with access to the Docker socket can potentially read them by executing commands in the container. So, it’s not entirely foolproof! Just something to consider while deciding.
Another approach is to use third-party tools to inject secrets during the container startup. This can add a layer of security by pulling the secrets into the container just when it needs them rather than having them stored inside the image or accessible environments.
Do you have a specific tool in mind? I’ve heard that HashiCorp Vault manages secrets well, but I’d love to get more insights!
That’s true! I’ve seen people stress the importance of controlling access to the Docker socket to avoid any potential leaks.