# Cis Ocp V190 2.1

> Ensure that the --cert-file and --key-file arguments are set as appropriate (Manual)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-v190-2-1` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-v190-2-1`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-v190-2-1/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-ocp-v190-2-1

---


# CIS Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Benchmark v1.9.0 - Control 2.1

## Profile Applicability

- **Level:** 1

## Description

Configure TLS encryption for the etcd service.

## 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 encrypted in transit.

## Impact

Client connections only over TLS would be served.

## Audit Procedure

OpenShift uses X.509 certificates to provide secure communication to etcd. OpenShift generates these files and sets the arguments appropriately. OpenShift does not use the `etcd-certfile` or `etcd-keyfile` flags.

Keys and certificates for control plane components like `kube-apiserver`, `kube-controller-manager`, `kube-scheduler` and `etcd` are stored with their respective static pod configurations in the directory `/etc/kubernetes/static-pod-resources/*/secrets`.

Run the following command to check the value of the `--cert-file` parameter on all applicable nodes:

```bash
for i in $(oc get pods -oname -n openshift-etcd)
do
    oc exec -n openshift-etcd -c etcd $i -- \
      ps -o command= -C etcd | sed 's/.*\(--cert-file=[^ ]*\).*/\1/'
done
```

Run the following command to check the value of the `--key-file` parameter on all applicable nodes:

```bash
for i in $(oc get pods -oname -n openshift-etcd)
do
    oc exec -n openshift-etcd -c etcd $i -- \
      ps -o command= -C etcd | sed 's/.*\(--key-file=[^ ]*\).*/\1/'
done
```

Verify that cert-file and key-file values are returned for each etcd member. `--cert-file=/etc/kubernetes/static-pod-certs/secrets/etcd-all-serving/etcd-serving-${ETCD_DNS_NAME}.crt --key-file=/etc/kubernetes/static-pod-certs/secrets/etcd-all-serving/etcd-serving-${ETCD_DNS_NAME}.key`

## Remediation

OpenShift does not use the `etcd-certfile` or `etcd-keyfile` flags. Certificates for etcd are managed by the etcd cluster operator.

## Default Value

By default, etcd communication is secured with X.509 certificates.

## References

1. https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/latest/security/certificate_types_descriptions/etcd-certificates.html
2. https://github.com/openshift/cluster-etcd-operator
3. https://github.com/openshift/cluster-etcd-operator/blob/master/bindata/etcd/pod.yaml#L154-L167
4. https://etcd.io/
5. https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/administer-cluster/configure-upgrade-etcd/

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                           | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 3.11 Encrypt Sensitive Data at Rest               |      | X    | X    |
| v7               | 14.4 Encrypt All Sensitive Information in Transit |      | X    | X    |

## MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

| Techniques / Sub-techniques | Tactics | Mitigations |
| --------------------------- | ------- | ----------- |
| T1552                       | TA0006  | M1022       |

## Profile

**Level 1** (Manual)