The Kubernetes manifests must be owned by root.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-242405SRG-APP-000133-CTR-000295CNTR-K8-000860SV-242405r960960_rule2025-02-202
Description
The manifest files contain the runtime configuration of the API server, proxy, scheduler, controller, and etcd. If an attacker can gain access to these files, changes can be made to open vulnerabilities and bypass user authorizations inherit within Kubernetes with RBAC implemented.
ℹ️ Check
On the Control Plane, change to the /etc/kubernetes/manifest directory. Run the command: ls -l * Each manifest file must be owned by root:root. If any manifest file is not owned by root:root, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
On the Control Plane, change to the /etc/kubernetes/manifest directory. Run the command: chown root:root * To verify the change took place, run the command: ls -l * All the manifest files should be owned by root:root.