cis-k8s-v1111-1-2-6

name	cis-k8s-v1111-1.2.6
description	Ensure that the --authorization-mode argument is not set to AlwaysAllow (Automated)
category	cis-k8s
version	1.11.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","kubernetes","control-plane","api-server","authorization","rbac"]
cis_id	1.2.6
cis_benchmark	CIS Kubernetes Benchmark v1.11.1
tech_stack	["kubernetes"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

1.2.6 Ensure that the --authorization-mode argument is not set to AlwaysAllow (Automated)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1 - Master Node

Description

Do not always authorize all requests.

Rationale

The API Server, can be configured to allow all requests. This mode should not be used on any production cluster.

Impact

Only authorized requests will be served.

Audit

Run the following command on the Control Plane node:

ps -ef | grep kube-apiserver

Verify that the --authorization-mode argument exists and is not set to AlwaysAllow.

Remediation

Edit the API server pod specification file /etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml on the Control Plane node and set the --authorization-mode parameter to values other than AlwaysAllow. One such example could be as below.

--authorization-mode=RBAC

Default Value

By default, AlwaysAllow is not enabled.

References

1. https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/command-line-tools-reference/kube-apiserver/
2. https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/authorization/

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control	IG 1	IG 2	IG 3
v8	3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists	x	x	x
v7	9.2 Ensure Only Approved Ports, Protocols and Services Are Running		x	x