Port 10250: Kubelet
Port 10250 is the kubelet API, exposed by the agent that runs on every Kubernetes node to manage the containers scheduled there. It has been the target of real-world attacks when left unauthenticated, so securing it is a standard cluster-hardening step.
| Port number | 10250 |
|---|---|
| Service | Kubernetes kubelet API |
| Protocol | TCP |
| Category | Infrastructure & orchestration |
| Default encryption | No |
Frequently asked questions
What is port 10250 used for?
Port 10250 is the kubelet API, exposed by the agent that runs on every Kubernetes node to manage the containers scheduled there. It has been the target of real-world attacks when left unauthenticated, so securing it is a standard cluster-hardening step.
Is port 10250 TCP or UDP?
Port 10250 (Kubelet) uses TCP.
Is port 10250 secure?
Port 10250 is not encrypted by default. Where possible, use an encrypted alternative or tunnel it over TLS or a VPN.
Should I open port 10250 on my firewall?
Only if you specifically need Kubelet. Expose it to the smallest set of trusted sources, and never open database or Windows-service ports to the whole internet.