Hands-on Lab·Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate
kube-proxy and Service Implementation
A Service is not a process. It is a set of packet-rewriting rules that kube-proxy programs on every node, which is why kube-proxy is one of the most privileged Pods in the cluster and why a Service has no traffic to intercept.
Cluster Component Security Guide 15 of 42 Intermediate
- Kubernetesapiserver v1.36.4, kubelet v1.36.3
- Runtimecontainerd 2.2.6
- CNICilium 1.18.1 - tunnel/VXLAN, with Hubble relay and UI
- Host OSUbuntu 26.04 LTS, kernel 7.0.0-29
- Built withkubeadm v1.36.3 - podSubnet 10.244.0.0/16, serviceSubnet 10.96.0.0/12
- TimeAbout 14 min
- Reviewed25 August 2026
Written against the versions above. kube-proxy in iptables mode - `mode: ""` defaults to iptables on Linux. Cilium is installed with `kubeProxyReplacement=false`, so kube-proxy is genuinely doing this work rather than being decorative.
| Server Name | IP Address | OS | Roles | CPU | RAM | HDD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CKA5001 | 192.168.0.41 | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Control Plane Node (tainted NoSchedule) | 2 Core | 4 GB | 50 GB |
| CKA5001-NODE01 | 192.168.0.42 | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Worker Node | 2 Core | 4 GB | 50 GB |
| CKA5001-NODE02 | 192.168.0.43 | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Worker Node | 2 Core | 4 GB | 50 GB |
| CKA5001-NODE03 | 192.168.0.44 | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | Worker Node | 2 Core | 4 GB | 50 GB |
Before you start
- guide 14 - the other node-level component.
-
The most privileged Pod on the node
-
A Service, as rules
-
The identity it runs as