> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/compute/appsec-k8s-21.md).

# Default namespace is used misconfiguration detected in code

## Rule Details

|                        |                                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_K8S\_21                                        |
| Category - Subcategory | Kubernetes - Access Control                            |
| Provider               | OTHER                                                  |
| Severity               | LOW                                                    |
| Framework              | Helm, Kubernetes, Kustomize, Terraform, Terraform Plan |

## Impact

In Kubernetes, the cluster comes out of the box with a namespace called "`default.`" Other namespaces Kubernetes includes are: default, kube-system and kube-public. Some Kubernetes tooling is set up out of the box to use this namespace and you can't delete it. We recommend that you do not use the default namespace in large production systems. Using this space can result in accidental disruption with other services. Instead, we recommend you create alternate namespaces and use them to run additional required services.

## How to Fix

*Resource:* Pod / Deployment / DaemonSet / StatefulSet / ReplicaSet / ReplicationController / Job / CronJob

* *Arguments:* namespace (Optional)

## Defines the used namespace. Default to default. \[source,go]

apiVersion: kind: metadata: name:

* namespace:
* namespace: default

***


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/compute/appsec-k8s-21.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.