# Cis K8S V1120 4.1.10

> If the kubelet config.yaml configuration file is being used validate file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-4-1-10` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-4-1-10`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-4-1-10/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-v1120-4-1-10

---


# CIS Kubernetes Benchmark v1.12.0 - Control 4.1.10

## Description

Ensure that if the kubelet refers to a configuration file with the `--config` argument, that file is owned by root:root.

## Rationale

The kubelet reads various parameters, including security settings, from a config file specified by the `--config` argument. If this file is specified you should restrict its file permissions to maintain the integrity of the file. The file should be owned by root:root.

## Impact

None

## Audit Procedure

### Step 1: Set the kubelet config yaml variable

Automated AAC auditing has been modified to allow CIS-CAT to input a variable for the `<PATH>/<FILENAME>` of the kubelet config yaml file.

Please set `$kubelet_config_yaml=<PATH>` based on the file location on your system.

For example:

```bash
export kubelet_config_yaml=/var/lib/kubelet/config.yaml
```

### Step 2: Verify file ownership

To perform the audit manually: Run the below command (based on the file location on your system) on the each worker node. For example,

```bash
stat -c %U:%G /var/lib/kubelet/config.yaml
```

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

## Remediation

Run the following command (using the config file location identified in the Audit step):

```bash
chown root:root /etc/kubernetes/kubelet.conf
```

## Default Value

By default, `/var/lib/kubelet/config.yaml` file as set up by `kubeadm` is owned by `root:root`.

## References

1. https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/administer-cluster/kubelet-config-file/

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                  | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts<br>Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. |      | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 4 Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges<br>Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges                                                                             |      |      |      |

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Worker Node

## Assessment Status

Automated