# Cis K8S V1120 4.3.1

> Ensure that the kube-proxy metrics service is bound to localhost (Manual)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-4-3-1` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-4-3-1`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v1120-4-3-1/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-k8s-v1120-4-3-1

---


# CIS Kubernetes Benchmark v1.12.0 - Control 4.3.1

## Description

Do not bind the kube-proxy metrics port to non-loopback addresses.

## Rationale

kube-proxy has two APIs which provided access to information about the service and can be bound to network ports. The metrics API service includes endpoints (`/metrics` and `/configz`) which disclose information about the configuration and operation of kube-proxy. These endpoints should not be exposed to untrusted networks as they do not support encryption or authentication to restrict access to the data they provide.

## Impact

3rd party services which try to access metrics or configuration information related to kube-proxy will require access to the localhost interface of the node.

## Audit Procedure

### Step 1: Review kube-proxy start-up flags

Review the start-up flags provided to kube proxy.

Run the following command on each node:

```bash
ps -ef | grep -i kube-proxy
```

### Step 2: Verify metrics-bind-address

Ensure that the `--metrics-bind-address` parameter is not set to a value other than 127.0.0.1. From the output of this command gather the location specified in the `--config` parameter. Review any file stored at that location and ensure that it does not specify a value other than 127.0.0.1 for `metricsBindAddress`.

## Remediation

Modify or remove any values which bind the metrics service to a non-localhost address.

## Default Value

The default value is `127.0.0.1:10249`.

## References

1. https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/command-line-tools-reference/kube-proxy/

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                        | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 12.6 Use of Secure Network Management and Communication Protocols<br>Use secure network management and communication protocols (e.g., 802.1X, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Enterprise or greater).          |      | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 9.2 Ensure Only Approved Ports, Protocols and Services Are Running<br>Ensure that only network ports, protocols, and services listening on a system with validated business needs, are running on each system. |      | ●    | ●    |

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Worker Node

## Assessment Status

Manual