# Cis Gke V170 3.2.8

> Ensure that the --rotate-certificates argument is not present or is set to true (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gke-v170-3-2-8` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gke-v170-3-2-8`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gke-v170-3-2-8/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-gke-v170-3-2-8

---


# 3.2.8 Ensure that the --rotate-certificates argument is not present or is set to true (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1

## Description

Enable kubelet client certificate rotation.

## Rationale

The `--rotate-certificates` setting causes the kubelet to rotate its client certificates by creating new CSRs as its existing credentials expire. This automated periodic rotation ensures that the there is no downtime due to expired certificates and thus addressing availability in the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) security triad.

Note: This recommendation only applies if you let kubelets get their certificates from the API server. In case your kubelet certificates come from an outside authority/tool (e.g. Vault) then you need to implement rotation yourself.

Note: This feature also requires the `RotateKubeletClientCertificate` feature gate to be enabled.

## Impact

None

## Audit

**Audit Method 1:**

SSH to each node and run the following command to find the Kubelet process:

```bash
ps -ef | grep kubelet
```

If the output of the command above includes the `--RotateCertificate` executable argument, verify that it is set to true.

If the output of the command above does not include the `--RotateCertificate` executable argument then check the Kubelet config file. The output of the above command should return something similar to `--config /etc/kubernetes/kubelet/kubelet-config.json` which is the location of the Kubelet config file.

Open the Kubelet config file:

```bash
cat /etc/kubernetes/kubelet-config.yaml
```

Verify that the `RotateCertificate` argument is not present, or is set to `true`.

## Remediation

**Remediation Method 1:**

If modifying the Kubelet config file, edit the kubelet-config.yaml file `/etc/kubernetes/kubelet/kubelet-config.yaml` and set the below parameter to true

```json
"RotateCertificate":true
```

Additionally, ensure that the kubelet service file /etc/systemd/system/kubelet.service.d/10-kubelet-args.conf does not set the --RotateCertificate executable argument to false because this would override the Kubelet config file.

**Remediation Method 2:**

If using executable arguments, edit the kubelet service file `/etc/systemd/system/kubelet.service.d/10-kubelet-args.conf` on each worker node and add the below parameter at the end of the `KUBELET_ARGS` variable string.

```
--RotateCertificate=true
```

## Default Value

See the GKE documentation for the default value.

## References

1. https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/41912
2. https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/command-line-tools-reference/kubelet-tls-bootstrapping/#kubelet-configuration
3. https://kubernetes.io/docs/imported/release/notes/
4. https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/command-line-tools-reference/feature-gates/
5. https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/administer-cluster/reconfigure-kubelet/

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                              | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | **3.10 Encrypt Sensitive Data in Transit** - Encrypt sensitive data in transit. Example implementations can include: Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Open Secure Shell (OpenSSH). |      |      |      |
| v7               | **14.4 Encrypt All Sensitive Information in Transit** - Encrypt all sensitive information in transit.                                                                                |      |      |      |