1.1.21 Ensure that the --token-auth-file parameter is not set

Information

Do not use token based authentication.

Rationale:

The token-based authentication utilizes static tokens to authenticate requests to the apiserver. The tokens are stored in clear-text in a file on the apiserver, and cannot be revoked or rotated without restarting the apiserver. Hence, do not use static token-based authentication.

Solution

Follow the documentation and configure alternate mechanisms for authentication. Then, edit the `/etc/kubernetes/apiserver` file on the master node and remove the `'--token-auth-file='` argument from the `KUBE_API_ARGS` parameter. Based on your system, restart the `kube-apiserver` service. For example: `systemctl restart kube-apiserver.service`

Impact:

You will have to configure and use alternate authentication mechanisms such as certificates. Static token based authentication could not be used.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/1738

Item Details

Category: IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION

References: 800-53|IA-5(1)(c), CSCv6|16.14

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 6000378612a9007d846df93b31e52b4c12f5b2667c1addecb6514d97afa367c6