The Kubernetes KubeletConfiguration files must have file permissions set to 644 or more restrictive.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-242407 | CNTR-K8-000890 | SV-242407r960960_rule | CCI-001499 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| The kubelet configuration file contains the runtime configuration of the kubelet service. If an attacker can gain access to this file, changes can be made to open vulnerabilities and bypass user authorizations inherit within Kubernetes with RBAC implemented. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-16 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-242407r960960_chk)
On the Kubernetes Control Plane and Worker nodes, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet
Check the config file (path identified by: --config):
Change to the directory identified by --config (example /etc/sysconfig/) and run the command:
ls -l kubelet
Each KubeletConfiguration file must have permissions of "644" or more restrictive.
If any KubeletConfiguration file is less restrictive than "644", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-45640r918170_fix)
On the Kubernetes Control Plane and Worker nodes, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet
Check the config file (path identified by: --config):
Change to the directory identified by --config (example /etc/sysconfig/) and run the command:
chmod 644 kubelet
To verify the change took place, run the command:
ls -l kubelet
The kubelet file should now have the permissions of "644".