Title

The Kubernetes API Server must enable Node,RBAC as the authorization mode. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

To mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information by entities that have been issued certificates by DOD-approved PKIs, all DOD systems (e.g., networks, web servers, and web portals) must be properly configured to incorporate access control methods that do not rely solely on the possession of a certificate for access. Successful authentication must not automatically give an entity access to an asset or security boundary. Authorization procedures and controls must be implemented to ensure each authenticated entity also has a validated and current authorization. Authorization is the process of determining whether an entity, once authenticated, is permitted to access a specific asset. Node,RBAC is the method within Kubernetes to control access of users and applications. Kubernetes uses roles to grant authorization API requests made by kubelets. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000340-CTR-000770, SRG-APP-000033-CTR-000095, SRG-APP-000378-CTR-000880, SRG-APP-000033-CTR-000090

Check Content

Change to the /etc/kubernetes/manifests directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. Run the command: grep -i authorization-mode * If the setting authorization-mode is set to "AlwaysAllow" in the Kubernetes API Server manifest file or is not configured, 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 value of "--authorization-mode" to "Node,RBAC".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-242382r927240_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-242382

Group Title: SRG-APP-000033-CTR-000090

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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