STIGQter: STIG Summary: Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 6 Benchmark Date: 01 Apr 2026:

The Kubernetes Kubelet certificate authority file must have file permissions set to 644 or more restrictive.

DISA Rule

SV-242449r961863_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-242449

Group Title

SRG-APP-000516-CTR-001325

Rule Version

CNTR-K8-003160

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000366 - Implement the security configuration settings.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

On the Control Plane, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet

Remove the "--client-ca-file" option.

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

Run the command:
grep -i clientCAFile <path_to_config_file>

Note the path to the client ca file.

Run the command:
chmod 644 <path_to_client_ca_file>

Check Contents

On the Control Plane, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet

If the "--client-ca-file" option exists, this is a finding.

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

Run the command:
grep -i clientCAFile <path_to_config_file>

Note the path to the client ca file.

Run the command:
stat -c %a <path_to_client_ca_file>

If the client ca file has permissions more permissive than "644", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-242449

Documentable

False

Rule Version

CNTR-K8-003160

Severity Override Guidance

On the Control Plane, run the command:
ps -ef | grep kubelet

If the "--client-ca-file" option exists, this is a finding.

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

Run the command:
grep -i clientCAFile <path_to_config_file>

Note the path to the client ca file.

Run the command:
stat -c %a <path_to_client_ca_file>

If the client ca file has permissions more permissive than "644", this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5376