cis-docker-v170-3-17

name	cis-docker-v170-3.17
description	Ensure that the daemon.json file ownership is set to root:root
category	cis-docker
version	1.7.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","docker","daemon","files","permissions","ownership","configuration"]
cis_id	3.17
cis_benchmark	CIS Docker Benchmark v1.7.0
tech_stack	["docker"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

CIS Docker Benchmark v1.7.0 - Control 3.17

Description

You should verify that the daemon.json file individual ownership and group ownership is correctly set to root, if it is in use.

Rationale

The daemon.json file contains sensitive parameters that could alter the behavior of the docker daemon. It should therefore be owned and group owned by root to ensure it can not be modified by less privileged users.

Impact

None.

Audit Procedure

You should execute the command below to verify that the file is owned and group owned by root:

stat -c %U:%G /etc/docker/daemon.json | grep -v root:root

The command above should not return any results or, if there is no daemon.json file present it will return:

stat: cannot stat '/etc/docker/daemon.json': No such file or directory

Remediation

If the daemon.json file is present, you should execute the command below:

chown root:root /etc/docker/daemon.json

This sets the ownership and group ownership for the file to root.

Default Value

This file may not be present on the system, and in that case, this recommendation is not applicable.

References

1. https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/dockerd/#daemon-configuration-file

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control	IG 1	IG 2	IG 3
v8	5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user's primary, non-privileged account.	●	●	●
v7	4 Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges

Profile Applicability

• Level 2 - Docker - Linux

Assessment Status