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The Kubernetes API server must have anonymous authentication disabled.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-242390CNTR-K8-000360SV-242390r960792_ruleCCI-000213high
Description
The Kubernetes API Server controls Kubernetes via an API interface. A user who has access to the API essentially has root access to the entire Kubernetes cluster. To control access, users must be authenticated and authorized. By allowing anonymous connections, the controls put in place to secure the API can be bypassed. Setting "--anonymous-auth" to "false" also disables unauthenticated requests from kubelets. While there are instances where anonymous connections may be needed (e.g., health checks) and Role-Based Access Controls (RBACs) are in place to limit the anonymous access, this access should be disabled, and only enabled when necessary.
STIGDate
Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide2025-05-16

Related Frameworks

4 paths across 3 frameworks
NIST 800-531 mapping
AC-3
1.00
  • DISA · 2 · disa_xccdf · related
  • DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
NIST 800-1712 mappings
3.1.1
1.00
  • DISA · 2 · disa_xccdf · related
  • DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
  • NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
3.1.2
1.00
  • DISA · 2 · disa_xccdf · related
  • DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
  • NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
CCI1 mapping
CCI-000213
1.00
  • DISA · 2 · disa_xccdf · related

Details

Check Text (C-242390r960792_chk)

Change to the /etc/kubernetes/manifests directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. Run the command: grep -i anonymous-auth * If the setting "--anonymous-auth" is set to "true" in the Kubernetes API Server manifest file, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-45623r927089_fix)

Edit the Kubernetes API Server manifest file in the /etc/kubernetes/manifests directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. Set the value of "--anonymous-auth" to "false".