# Cis K8S V200 1.2.23

> Ensure that the --etcd-certfile and --etcd-keyfile arguments are set as appropriate (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v200-1-2-23` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v200-1-2-23`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v200-1-2-23/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-v200-1-2-23

---


# 1.2.23 Ensure that the --etcd-certfile and --etcd-keyfile arguments are set as appropriate (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Master Node

## Description

etcd should be configured to make use of TLS encryption for client connections.

## Rationale

etcd is a highly-available key value store used by Kubernetes deployments for persistent storage of all of its REST API objects. These objects are sensitive in nature and should be protected by client authentication. This requires the API server to identify itself to the etcd server using a client certificate and key.

## Impact

TLS and client certificate authentication must be configured for etcd.

## Audit

Run the following command on the Control Plane node:

```bash
ps -ef | grep kube-apiserver
```

Verify that the `--etcd-certfile` and `--etcd-keyfile` arguments exist and they are set as appropriate.

## Remediation

Follow the Kubernetes documentation and set up the TLS connection between the apiserver and etcd. Then, edit the API server pod specification file `/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml` on the master node and set the etcd certificate and key file parameters.

```
--etcd-certfile=<path/to/client-certificate-file>
--etcd-keyfile=<path/to/client-key-file>
```

## Default Value

By default, `--etcd-certfile` and `--etcd-keyfile` arguments are not set.

## References

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

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                    | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 3.11 Encrypt Sensitive Data at Rest        |      | \*   | \*   |
| v7               | 14.8 Encrypt Sensitive Information at Rest |      |      | \*   |