Cis K8s V1120 1.2.7

---
name: cis-k8s-v1120-1.2.7
description: "Ensure that the --authorization-mode argument includes Node (Automated)"
category: cis-k8s
version: "1.12.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, kubernetes, control-plane, api-server, authorization, node]
cis_id: "1.2.7"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Kubernetes Benchmark v1.12.0"
tech_stack: [kubernetes]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# 1.2.7 Ensure that the --authorization-mode argument includes Node (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Master Node

## Description

Restrict kubelet nodes to reading only objects associated with them.

## Rationale

The `Node` authorization mode only allows kubelets to read `Secret`, `ConfigMap`, `PersistentVolume`, and `PersistentVolumeClaim` objects associated with their nodes.

## Impact

None

## 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 set to a value to include `Node`.

## 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 a value that includes `Node`.

```
--authorization-mode=Node,RBAC
```

## Default Value

By default, `Node` authorization is not enabled.

## References

1. [https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/kube-apiserver/](https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/kube-apiserver/)
2. [https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/authorization/node/](https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/authorization/node/)
3. [https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/46076](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/46076)
4. [https://acotten.com/post/kube17-security](https://acotten.com/post/kube17-security)

## CIS Controls

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