# Cis K8S V1120 1.1.19

> Ensure that the Kubernetes PKI directory and file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-1-1-19` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-1-1-19`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-1-1-19/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-k8s-v1120-1-1-19

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# 1.1.19 Ensure that the Kubernetes PKI directory and file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Master Node

## Description

Ensure that the Kubernetes PKI directory and file ownership is set to `root:root`.

## Rationale

Kubernetes makes use of a number of certificates as part of its operation. You should set the ownership of the directory containing the PKI information and all files in that directory to maintain their integrity. The directory and files 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
ls -laR /etc/kubernetes/pki/
```

Verify that the ownership of all files and directories in this hierarchy 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 -R root:root /etc/kubernetes/pki/
```

## Default Value

By default, the /etc/kubernetes/pki/ directory and all of the files and directories contained within it, are set to be owned by the root user.

## References

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

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                               | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists               | \*   | \*   | \*   |
| v7               | 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists | \*   | \*   | \*   |