Ensure that the kubelet configuration file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)
Scanned 9/3/2026
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---
name: cis-ocp-v160-4.1.10
description: "Ensure that the kubelet configuration file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)"
category: cis-openshift
version: "1.6.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, openshift, kubernetes, redhat, worker-nodes, worker-node-config-files]
cis_id: "4.1.10"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Benchmark v1.6.0"
tech_stack: [kubernetes, openshift, redhat]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# CIS Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Benchmark v1.6.0 - Control 4.1.10
## Profile Applicability
- **Level:** 1
## Description
Ensure that if the kubelet refers to a configuration file with the `--config` argument, that file is owned by `root:root`.
## Rationale
The kubelet reads various parameters, including security settings, from a config file specified by the `--config` argument. If this file is specified you should restrict its file permissions to maintain the integrity of the file. The file should be owned by `root:root`.
## Impact
None
## Audit Procedure
In OpenShift 4, the kubelet configuration file is managed by the Machine Config Operator and is found at `/var/lib/kubelet/config.json` or '/var/data/kubelet/config.json' with ownership set to `root:root`.
In OpenShift 4.13 and above
Run the following command to check the permission:
```bash
for node in $(oc get nodes -o jsonpath='{.items[*].metadata.name}')
do
oc debug node/${node} -- chroot /host stat -c %a /var/data/kubelet/config.json
done
```
For Earlier Versions
Run the following command to check the permission:
```bash
for node in $(oc get nodes -o jsonpath='{.items[*].metadata.name}')
do
oc debug node/${node} -- chroot /host stat -c %a /var/lib/kubelet/config.json
done
```
Verify that the ownership is set to `root:root`.
## Remediation
None.
## Default Value
By default, `/var/lib/kubelet/config.json` file is owned by `root:root`.
## References
1. https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/latest/architecture/control-plane.html#understanding-machine-config-operator_control-plane
2. https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/administer-cluster/kubelet-config-file/
## CIS Controls
| Controls Version | Control | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8 | 5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts | \* | \* | \* |
| v7 | 4.3 Ensure the Use of Dedicated Administrative Accounts | \* | \* | \* |
## MITRE ATT&CK Mappings
| Techniques / Sub-techniques | Tactics | Mitigations |
| --------------------------- | -------------- | ----------- |
| T1083, T1222 | TA0005, TA0007 | M1026 |
## Profile
**Level 1** (Automated)
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