Title

The Kubernetes API server must have anonymous authentication disabled. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

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 authentication 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 (RBAC) are in place to limit the anonymous access, this access should be disabled, and only enabled when necessary.

Check Content

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

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

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-242390r879530_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-242390

Group Title: SRG-APP-000033-CTR-000100

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.