Ensure that the --kubeconfig kubelet.conf file permissions are set to 644 or more restrictive (Automated)
Scanned 5/30/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike---
name: cis-ocp-v190-4.1.5
description: "Ensure that the --kubeconfig kubelet.conf file permissions are set to 644 or more restrictive (Automated)"
category: cis-openshift
version: "1.9.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, openshift, kubernetes, redhat, worker-nodes, worker-node-config-files]
cis_id: "4.1.5"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Benchmark v1.9.0"
tech_stack: [kubernetes, openshift, redhat]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# CIS Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Benchmark v1.9.0 - Control 4.1.5
## Profile Applicability
- **Level:** 1
## Description
Ensure that the `kubelet.conf` file has permissions of `644` or more restrictive.
## Rationale
The `kubelet.conf` file is the kubeconfig file for the node, and controls various parameters that set the behavior and identity of the worker node. You should restrict its file permissions to maintain the integrity of the file. The file should be writable by only the administrators on the system.
## Impact
None
## Audit Procedure
Run the following command to check the permissions of the `kubelet.conf` on each node:
```bash
for node in $(oc get nodes -o jsonpath='{.items[*].metadata.name}')
do
oc debug node/${node} -- chroot /host stat -c %a /etc/kubernetes/kubelet.conf
done
```
OR
```bash
for node in $(oc get nodes -o jsonpath='{.items[*].metadata.name}')
do
oc debug node/${node} -- chroot /host stat -c %a /host/etc/kubernetes/kubelet.conf
done
```
Verify that the permissions are `644`.
## Remediation
None.
## Default Value
By default, OpenShift sets the default permissions for the `kubelet.conf` to `644`.
## References
1. https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/latest/architecture/control-plane.html#understanding-machine-config-operator_control-plane
2. https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/command-line-tools-reference/kubelet/
## CIS Controls
| Controls Version | Control | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8 | 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists | \* | \* | \* |
| v7 | 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists | \* | \* | \* |
## MITRE ATT&CK Mappings
| Techniques / Sub-techniques | Tactics | Mitigations |
| --------------------------- | -------------- | ----------- |
| T1083, T1222 | TA0005, TA0007 | M1022 |
## Profile
**Level 1** (Automated)
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