Kubernetes DynamicKubeletConfig must not be enabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-242399	CNTR-K8-000460	SV-242399r918164_rule		Medium

Description
Kubernetes allows a user to configure kubelets with dynamic configurations. When dynamic configuration is used, the kubelet will watch for changes to the configuration file. When changes are made, the kubelet will automatically restart. Allowing this capability bypasses access restrictions and authorizations. Using this capability, an attacker can lower the security posture of the kubelet, which includes allowing the ability to run arbitrary commands in any container running on that node.

Description

Kubernetes allows a user to configure kubelets with dynamic configurations. When dynamic configuration is used, the kubelet will watch for changes to the configuration file. When changes are made, the kubelet will automatically restart. Allowing this capability bypasses access restrictions and authorizations. Using this capability, an attacker can lower the security posture of the kubelet, which includes allowing the ability to run arbitrary commands in any container running on that node.

STIG	Date
Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-06-20

Details

Check Text ( C-45674r918162_chk )
This check is only applicable for Kubernetes versions 1.25 and older. On the Control Plane, change to the manifests' directory at /etc/kubernetes/manifests and run the command: grep -i feature-gates * In each manifest file, if the feature-gates does not exist, or does not contain the "DynamicKubeletConfig" flag, or sets the flag to "true", this is a finding. On each Control Plane and Worker node, run the command: ps -ef \| grep kubelet Verify the "feature-gates" option is not present. Note the path to the config file (identified by --config). Inspect the content of the config file: If the "featureGates" setting is not present, or does not contain the "DynamicKubeletConfig", or sets the flag to "true", this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-45674r918162_chk )

This check is only applicable for Kubernetes versions 1.25 and older.

On the Control Plane, change to the manifests' directory at /etc/kubernetes/manifests and run the command:
grep -i feature-gates *

In each manifest file, if the feature-gates does not exist, or does not contain the "DynamicKubeletConfig" flag, or sets the flag to "true", this is a finding.

On each Control Plane and Worker node, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet

Verify the "feature-gates" option is not present.

Note the path to the config file (identified by --config).

Inspect the content of the config file:
If the "featureGates" setting is not present, or does not contain the "DynamicKubeletConfig", or sets the flag to "true", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-45632r918163_fix)
This fix is only applicable to Kubernetes version 1.25 and older. On the Control Plane, change to the manifests' directory at /etc/kubernetes/manifests and run the command: grep -i feature-gates * Edit the manifest files so that every manifest has a "--feature-gates" setting with "DynamicKubeletConfig=false". On each Control Plane and Worker Node, run the command: ps -ef \| grep kubelet Remove the "feature-gates" option if present. Note the path to the config file (identified by --config). Edit the config file: Add a "featureGates" setting if one does not yet exist. Add the feature gate "DynamicKubeletConfig=false". Restart the kubelet service using the following command: systemctl daemon-reload && systemctl restart kubelet

Fix Text (F-45632r918163_fix)

This fix is only applicable to Kubernetes version 1.25 and older.

On the Control Plane, change to the manifests' directory at /etc/kubernetes/manifests and run the command:
grep -i feature-gates *

Edit the manifest files so that every manifest has a "--feature-gates" setting with "DynamicKubeletConfig=false".

On each Control Plane and Worker Node, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet

Remove the "feature-gates" option if present.

Note the path to the config file (identified by --config).

Edit the config file:
Add a "featureGates" setting if one does not yet exist. Add the feature gate "DynamicKubeletConfig=false".

Restart the kubelet service using the following command:
systemctl daemon-reload && systemctl restart kubelet