Kubernetes API Server must disable basic authentication to protect information in transit.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-245542	CNTR-K8-002620	SV-245542r961632_rule		High

Description

Kubernetes basic authentication sends and receives request containing username, uid, groups, and other fields over a clear text HTTP communication. Basic authentication does not provide any security mechanisms using encryption standards. PKI certificate-based authentication must be set over a secure channel to ensure confidentiality and integrity. Basic authentication must not be set in the manifest file.

STIG	Date
Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-08-22

Details

Check Text (C-48817r863943_chk)

Change to the /etc/kubernetes/manifests/ directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. Run the command:
grep -i basic-auth-file *

If "basic-auth-file" is set in the Kubernetes API server manifest file this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-48772r863944_fix)

Edit the Kubernetes API Server manifest file in the /etc/kubernetes/manifests directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. Remove the setting "--basic-auth-file".