  We introduce a new mechanism to securely extend systems data collection
software with potentially untrusted third-party code. Unlike existing tools
which run extension modules or plugins directly inside the monitored endpoint
(the guest), we run plugins inside a specially crafted sandbox, so as to
protect the guest as well as the software core. To get the right mix of
accessibility and constraints required for systems data extraction, we create
our sandbox by combining multiple features exported by an unmodified kernel. We
have tested its applicability by successfully sandboxing plugins of an
opensourced data collection software for containerized guest systems. We have
also verified its security posture in terms of successful containment of
several exploits, which would have otherwise directly impacted a guest, if
shipped inside third-party plugins.
