# Cis Ocp V190 4.1.10

> Ensure that the kubelet configuration file ownership is set to root:root (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-v190-4-1-10` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-v190-4-1-10`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-v190-4-1-10/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-ocp-v190-4-1-10

---


# CIS Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Benchmark v1.9.0 - Control 4.1.10

## Profile Applicability

- **Level:** 1

## 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

In OpenShift 4, the kubelet configuration file is managed by the Machine Config Operator and is found at `/var/lib/kubelet/config.json` or `/var/data/kubelet/config.json` with ownership set to `root:root`.

In OpenShift 4.13 and above

Run the following command to check the permission:

```bash
for node in $(oc get nodes -o jsonpath='{.items[*].metadata.name}')
do
        oc debug node/${node} -- chroot /host stat -c %a /var/data/kubelet/config.json
done
```

For Earlier Versions

Run the following command to check the permission:

```bash
for node in $(oc get nodes -o jsonpath='{.items[*].metadata.name}')
do
        oc debug node/${node} -- chroot /host stat -c %a /var/lib/kubelet/config.json
done
```

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

## Remediation

None.

## Default Value

By default, `/var/lib/kubelet/config.json` file is owned by `root:root`.

## References

1. https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/latest/architecture/control-plane.html#understanding-machine-config-operator_control-plane
2. 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 | \*   | \*   | \*   |
| v7               | 4.3 Ensure the Use of Dedicated Administrative Accounts                   | \*   | \*   | \*   |

## MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

| Techniques / Sub-techniques | Tactics        | Mitigations |
| --------------------------- | -------------- | ----------- |
| T1083, T1222                | TA0005, TA0007 | M1026       |

## Profile

**Level 1** (Automated)