Runtime Vulnerability Mitigation for Containerized Microservices through Dynamic Policy Enforcement and Automated Patching

Abstract

As the adoption of containerized microservices grows, the complexity of securing these environments increases. Containerized applications offer scalability and flexibility but introduce significant runtime security challenges due to their dynamic and decentralized nature. This paper proposes a framework for mitigating vulnerabilities in containerized microservices by employing dynamic policy enforcement and automated patching techniques. The framework continuously monitors the container runtime environment, identifying potential vulnerabilities in real-time. Dynamic policies, based on both predefined security standards and behavior-based anomaly detection, are enforced to restrict the execution of malicious or compromised services. Furthermore, automated patching mechanisms are integrated to ensure that vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, minimizing the window of exposure. The patching process is designed to be seamless, enabling containers to be updated without downtime, thus maintaining system availability. Through the combination of dynamic policy enforcement and automated patching, the proposed framework provides a robust solution to protect containerized microservices from emerging threats while ensuring continuous operation. This research also highlights the importance of adapting security measures in response to the dynamic nature of microservices and presents a case study demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results suggest that dynamic policy enforcement coupled with automated patching is an essential strategy for mitigating runtime vulnerabilities in modern containerized environments, ensuring better security without compromising system performance.