← Back to Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-242418

CAT II (Medium)

The Kubernetes API server must use approved cipher suites.

Rule ID

SV-242418r1043178_rule

STIG

Kubernetes Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R6

CCIs

CCI-001184

Discussion

The Kubernetes API server communicates to the kubelet service on the nodes to deploy, update, and delete resources. If an attacker were able to get between this communication and modify the request, the Kubernetes cluster could be compromised. Using approved cypher suites for the communication ensures the protection of the transmitted information, confidentiality, and integrity so that the attacker cannot read or alter this communication.

Check Content

Change to the /etc/kubernetes/manifests/ directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. Run the command:
grep -i tls-cipher-suites *

If the setting feature tls-cipher-suites is not set in the Kubernetes API server manifest file or contains no value or does not contain TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256,TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256,TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384,TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Edit the Kubernetes API Server manifest file in the /etc/kubernetes/manifests directory on the Kubernetes Control Plane. 

Set the value of "--tls-cipher-suites" to:
"TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256,TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256,TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384,TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384"