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:

```bash
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.

```bash
--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    |