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kubernetes

Etcd pod has TLS encryption configured

etcd_tls_encryption
Service: etcdSeverity: high
OfficialBuilt-inVerified
Categories:encryptioncluster-security
Resource Type:Pod

Etcd pods are assessed for TLS-enabled client communication, indicated by --cert-file and --key-file in container arguments, showing that Kubernetes API state traffic is encrypted in transit.

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Risk

Without TLS, etcd traffic is exposed on the network, weakening CIA:

  • Confidentiality: leakage of secrets and cluster state
  • Integrity: MITM can alter configs, roles, and objects
  • Availability: control-plane instability from tampered responses

Run this check with Prowler

Run in Prowler Cloud
Run
prowler kubernetes --checks etcd_tls_encryption

Recommendation

Enforce mTLS for etcd client and peer traffic and disable plaintext listeners. Restrict access to etcd to control-plane components via tight network policies and firewalls. Use strong TLS versions/ciphers, rotate certificates, and safeguard keys, applying least privilege and defense in depth.

Remediation

Other

1SSH to the control-plane node
2Open /etc/kubernetes/manifests/etcd.yaml
3In spec.containers[0].command add:
4- --cert-file=/etc/kubernetes/pki/etcd/server.crt
5- --key-file=/etc/kubernetes/pki/etcd/server.key
6Save the file; kubelet will automatically restart the etcd Pod
7Confirm the etcd container command now includes both --cert-file and --key-file

Check Code

from prowler.lib.check.models import Check, Check_Report_Kubernetes
from prowler.providers.kubernetes.services.etcd.etcd_client import etcd_client


class etcd_tls_encryption(Check):
    def execute(self) -> Check_Report_Kubernetes:
        findings = []
        for pod in etcd_client.etcd_pods:
            report = Check_Report_Kubernetes(metadata=self.metadata(), resource=pod)
            report.status = "FAIL"
            report.status_extended = (
                f"Etcd does not have TLS encryption configured in pod {pod.name}."
            )
            for container in pod.containers.values():
                if "--cert-file" in str(container.command) and "--key-file" in str(
                    container.command
                ):
                    report.status = "PASS"
                    report.status_extended = (
                        f"Etcd has configured TLS encryption in pod {pod.name}."
                    )
            findings.append(report)
        return findings

References