Back to controls

Ensure Automatic node upgrades is enabled on Kubernetes Engine Clusters nodes

Node auto-upgrades help you keep the nodes in your cluster or node pool up to date with the latest stable version of Kubernetes. Auto-Upgrades use the same update mechanism as manual node upgrades.

Category

Controls

Medium

Applies to

Google Cloud

Coverage

1 queries

Asset types

1 covered

Overview

Node auto-upgrades help you keep the nodes in your cluster or node pool up to date with the latest stable version of Kubernetes. Auto-Upgrades use the same update mechanism as manual node upgrades.

Rationale

Node pools with auto-upgrades enabled are automatically scheduled for upgrades when a new stable Kubernetes version becomes available. When the upgrade is performed, the node pool is upgraded to match the current cluster master version. Some benefits of using enabling auto upgrades are:

  • Lower management overhead: You don't have to manually track and update to the latest version of Kubernetes.
  • Better security: Sometimes new binaries are released to fix a security issue. With auto-upgrades, Kubernetes Engine automatically ensures that security updates are applied and kept up to date.
  • Ease of use: Provides a simple way to keep your nodes up to date with the latest Kubernetes features.

Remediation guidance

Using Console

  1. Go to Kubernetes GCP Console by visiting https://console.cloud.google.com/kubernetes/list?
  2. Select reported Kubernetes clusters for which Automatic node upgrades is disabled
  3. Click on EDIT button and Set Automatic node upgrades to Enabled

Using Command Line

To enable Automatic node upgrades for an existing cluster's node pool, run the following command:

gcloud container node-pools update \[NODE_POOL\] --cluster \[CLUSTER_NAME\] --zone \[COMPUTE_ZONE\] --enable-autoupgrade

Impact

Enabling auto-upgrades does not cause your nodes to upgrade immediately. Automatic upgrades occur at regular intervals at the discretion of the Kubernetes Engine team.

Default Value

By default, subsequent node pools do not have auto-upgrades enabled.

References

  1. https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/node-auto-upgrades

Notes

Node auto-upgrades is not available for Alpha Clusters or clusters running the Ubuntu node image.

Service-wide remediation

Recommended when many resources are affected: fix the platform baseline first so new resources inherit the secure setting, then remediate the existing flagged resources in batches.

Google Cloud

Use organization or folder policies where available, shared project templates, logs and alerting baselines, and IaC modules so new resources inherit the secure setting.

Operational rollout

  1. Fix the baseline first at the account, subscription, project, cluster, or tenant scope that owns this control.
  2. Remediate the currently affected resources in batches, starting with internet-exposed and production assets.
  3. Re-scan and track approved exceptions with an owner and expiry date.

Query logic

These are the stored checks tied to this control.

Automatic node upgrades is enabled on Kubernetes Engine Clusters nodes

Connectors

Google Cloud

Covered asset types

Cluster

Expected check: eq []

gkeClusters(where:{nodePools_SOME:{managementAutoUpgrade_NOT:true}}){...AssetFragment}
Cyscale Logo
Cyscale is an agentless cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) that automates the contextual analysis of cloud misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, access, and data, to provide an accurate and actionable assessment of risk.

Stay connected

Receive new blog posts and product updates from Cyscale

By clicking Subscribe, I agree to Cyscale’s Privacy Policy


© 2026 Cyscale Limited

LinkedIn icon
Twitter icon
Facebook icon
crunch base icon
angel icon