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🛡️ Google GKE Cluster Node Pool uses default Service account🟢

Logic​

Description​

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Description​

This policy identifies Google GKE Cluster Node Pools that are configured to use the default Compute Engine service account instead of dedicated, least-privilege IAM service accounts.

Rationale​

By default, GKE nodes use the Compute Engine default service account, which has broad permissions that often exceed the requirements of a GKE cluster.

To follow the principle of least privilege, a dedicated service account should be created and used to run the GKE cluster. In addition, separate service accounts should be created for individual Kubernetes workloads as needed.

At a minimum, the node service account requires the following roles:

  • monitoring.viewer
  • monitoring.metricWriter
  • logging.logWriter

Additional roles may be required for specific use cases, such as pulling images from Google Container Registry (GCR).

Impact​

Instances using the default service account are automatically granted the https://www.googleapis.com/auth/cloud-platform, which allows unrestricted access to all Google Cloud APIs.This means that IAM permissions are determined entirely by the roles assigned to the service account.

... see more

Remediation​

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Remediation​

Configure GKE Node Pools with a Least-Privilege Service Account​

From gcloud CLI​

  1. Create a minimally privileged service account

    gcloud iam service-accounts create {{node-sa-name}} \
        --display-name "GKE Node Service Account"

  2. Capture the service account email

    export {{node-sa-email}}=$(gcloud iam service-accounts list \
        --format='value(email)' \
        --filter='displayName:GKE Node Service Account')

  3. Capture the project ID

    export {{project-id}}=$(gcloud config get-value project)

  4. Grant the required roles to the service account

    gcloud projects add-iam-policy-binding ${{project-id}} \
        --member serviceAccount:${{node-sa-email}} \
        --role roles/monitoring.metricWriter

    gcloud projects add-iam-policy-binding ${{project-id}} \
        --member serviceAccount:${{node-sa-email}} \
        --role roles/monitoring.viewer

    gcloud projects add-iam-policy-binding ${{project-id}} \
        --member serviceAccount:${{node-sa-email}} \

... see more

policy.yaml​

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Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 CIS GKE v1.8.0 → 💼 5.2.1 Ensure GKE clusters are not running using the Compute Engine default service account (Automated)1no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Management28no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.9.2.3 Management of privileged access rights312no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 DE.CM-1: The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events1863no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-1: Identities and credentials are issued, managed, verified, revoked, and audited for authorized devices, users and processes1934no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-4: Access permissions and authorizations are managed, incorporating the principles of least privilege and separation of duties1756no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-5: Network integrity is protected (e.g., network segregation, network segmentation)1044no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.DS-5: Protections against data leaks are implemented4791no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.PT-4: Communications and control networks are protected1044no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-01: Networks and network services are monitored to find potentially adverse events185no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-01: Identities and credentials for authorized users, services, and hardware are managed by the organization47no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-05: Access permissions, entitlements, and authorizations are defined in a policy, managed, enforced, and reviewed, and incorporate the principles of least privilege and separation of duties138no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-06: Physical access to assets is managed, monitored, and enforced commensurate with risk44no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-01: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-at-rest are protected188no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-02: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-transit are protected160no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-10: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-use are protected190no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.IR-01: Networks and environments are protected from unauthorized logical access and usage128no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4 → 💼 AC-6 LEAST PRIVILEGE1027no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4 → 💼 SC-7 BOUNDARY PROTECTION23531no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 2.1 Always change vendor-supplied defaults and remove or disable unnecessary default accounts before installing a system on the network.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 7.1.2 Restrict access to privileged user IDs to least privileges necessary to perform job responsibilities.5no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 7.1.3 Assign access based on individual personnel's job classification and function.5no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 2.2.2 Vendor default accounts are managed.11no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 7.2.2 Access is assigned to users, including privileged users, based on job classification, function, and least privileges.5no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 2.2.2 Vendor default accounts are managed.11no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 7.2.2 Access is assigned to users, including privileged users, based on job classification, function, and least privileges.5no data