# Cis Aks V170 4.4.1

> Ensure latest CNI version is used (Manual)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-aks-v170-4-4-1` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-aks-v170-4-4-1`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-aks-v170-4-4-1/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-aks-v170-4-4-1

---


# 4.4.1 Ensure latest CNI version is used (Manual)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1

## Description

There are a variety of CNI plugins available for Kubernetes. If the CNI in use does not support Network Policies it may not be possible to effectively restrict traffic in the cluster.

## Rationale

Kubernetes network policies are enforced by the CNI plugin in use. As such it is important to ensure that the CNI plugin supports both Ingress and Egress network policies.

## Impact

None.

## Audit

Ensure CNI plugin supports network policies.

Set Environment Variables to run:

```bash
export RESOURCE_GROUP=Resource Group Name
export CLUSTER_NAME=Cluster Name
```

Azure command to check for CNI plugin:

```bash
az aks show --resource-group ${RESOURCE_GROUP} --name ${CLUSTER_NAME} --query "networkProfile"
```

## Remediation

As with RBAC policies, network policies should adhere to the policy of least privileged access. Start by creating a deny all policy that restricts all inbound and outbound traffic from a namespace or create a global policy using Cilium or Calico.

## Default Value

This will depend on the CNI plugin in use.

## References

1. [https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/extend-kubernetes/compute-storage-net/network-plugins/](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/extend-kubernetes/compute-storage-net/network-plugins/)
2. [https://docs.microsoft.com/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v2-network-security#ns-1-implement-security-for-internal-traffic](https://docs.microsoft.com/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v2-network-security#ns-1-implement-security-for-internal-traffic)
3. [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/use-network-policies](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/use-network-policies)

## Additional Information

One example here is Flannel (https://github.com/coreos/flannel) which does not support Network policy unless Calico is also in use.

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                         | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 16.5 Use Up-to-Date and Trusted Third-Party Software Components |      | x    | x    |
| v7               | 18.4 Only Use Up-to-date And Trusted Third-Party Components     |      | x    | x    |