# Cis K8S V1110 1.1.18

> Ensure that the controller-manager.conf file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1110-1-1-18` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1110-1-1-18`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1110-1-1-18/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- 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-k8s-v1110-1-1-18

---


# 1.1.18 Ensure that the controller-manager.conf file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Master Node

## Description

Ensure that the `controller-manager.conf` file ownership is set to `root:root`.

## Rationale

The `controller-manager.conf` file is the kubeconfig file for the Controller Manager. You should set its file ownership to maintain the integrity of the file. The file should be owned by `root:root`.

## Impact

None

## Audit

Run the below command (based on the file location on your system) on the Control Plane node. For example,

```bash
stat -c %U:%G /etc/kubernetes/controller-manager.conf
```

Verify that the ownership is set to `root:root`.

## Remediation

Run the below command (based on the file location on your system) on the Control Plane node. For example,

```bash
chown root:root /etc/kubernetes/controller-manager.conf
```

## Default Value

By default, `controller-manager.conf` file ownership is set to `root:root`.

## References

1. [https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/kube-controller-manager/](https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/kube-controller-manager/)

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| :--------------: | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--: | :--: | :--: |
|        v8        | **5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts** - Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user's primary, non-privileged account. |  \*  |  \*  |  \*  |
|        v7        | **4 Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges** - Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |      |      |      |