# Cis K8S V200 1.3.4

> Ensure that the --service-account-private-key-file argument is set as appropriate (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v200-1-3-4` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v200-1-3-4`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-k8s-v200-1-3-4/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-v200-1-3-4

---


# CIS Kubernetes Benchmark v2.0.0 - Control 1.3.4

## Profile Applicability

- **Level:** 1 - Master Node

## Description

Explicitly set a service account private key file for service accounts on the controller manager.

## Rationale

To ensure that keys for service account tokens can be rotated as needed, a separate public/private key pair should be used for signing service account tokens. The private key should be specified to the controller manager with `--service-account-private-key-file` as appropriate.

## Impact

You would need to securely maintain the key file and rotate the keys based on your organization's key rotation policy.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command on the Control Plane node:

```bash
ps -ef | grep kube-controller-manager
```

Verify that the `--service-account-private-key-file` argument is set as appropriate.

## Remediation

Edit the Controller Manager pod specification file `/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-controller-manager.yaml` on the Control Plane node and set the `--service-account-private-key-file` parameter to the private key file for service accounts.

```
--service-account-private-key-file=<filename>
```

## Default Value

By default, `--service-account-private-key-file` it not set.

## References

1. https://kubernetes.io/docs/admin/kube-controller-manager/

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 5.2 Use Unique Passwords<br/>Use unique passwords for all enterprise assets. Best practice implementation includes, at a minimum, an 8-character password for accounts using MFA and a 14-character password for accounts not using MFA. | ●    | ●    | ●    |
| v7               | 4.4 Use Unique Passwords<br/>Where multi-factor authentication is not supported (such as local administrator, root, or service accounts), accounts will use passwords that are unique to that system.                                    |      | ●    | ●    |
| v6               | 14 Controlled Access Based on the Need to Know<br/>Controlled Access Based on the Need to Know                                                                                                                                           |      |      |      |

## Profile

**Level 1 - Master Node** (Automated)