Kaba Mas CDX-07, CDX-08, CDX-09, CDX-10 Door Lock: Open, Life Safety

Safe lock help · Kaba Mas

Safe lock troubleshooting › Kaba Mas › CDX-07, CDX-08, CDX-09 and CDX-10 door deadbolt devices

The Kaba Mas CDX series (CDX-07, CDX-08, CDX-09 and CDX-10) turns a Kaba Mas X-series combination lock into a pedestrian door lock: the X-lock is mounted on a deadbolt base plate on the inside of the door, with the dial ring on the outside. You see these on government doors, for example telecommunications closets. This guide covers how to open it from outside and inside, the life safety switch, and what the DoD Lock Program says about each model.

Want the whole manual? Jump to the manufacturer download links.

Is this your lock?

Kaba Mas CDX-07 dial plate on a door
Kaba Mas CDX-07. Photo: DoD Lock Program
Kaba Mas CDX-08 dial plate on a door
Kaba Mas CDX-08. Photo: DoD Lock Program
Kaba Mas CDX-10: the outside dial plate with a lever handle, and the inside deadbolt unit
Kaba Mas CDX-10, outside and inside. Photo: DoD Lock Program
  • Outside: a square plate with a round dial ring and a dial. In the DoD’s photo of the CDX-10, the plate sits above a lever handle.
  • Inside: a gray deadbolt unit mounted on the door with a release knob, a PUSH LIFE SAFETY switch, the serial number label and the X-lock case with its lock seal.
  • CDX-10: an X-10 lock on the deadbolt base plate. CDX-09: an X-09. CDX-08: an X-08. CDX-07: an X-07. The dialing and combination change steps are on the matching X-10, X-09, X-08 and X-07 pages in this guide.
  • The CDX-10 comes with a #1 strike and can also use a #2, #3 or #9 strike.
  • Lockmasters’ LKM10K door lock is a different government door lock that also holds an X-10: see its guide.

How to open it

From the outside (CDX-10 and CDX-09)

  1. Dial the combination as the lock’s own booklet says (see the X-10 or X-09 guide in this section).
  2. Turn the dial to the right (clockwise). This withdraws the lock bolt and pulls the dead bolt (the extension bolt) in with it.
  3. Open the door.

From the inside

  1. Turn the release knob to the left (counterclockwise). This withdraws the dead bolt.
  2. Open the door.
  • Closing the door: the dead bolt will not extend until the release bolt hits the door strike as the door closes.
  • The X-10 lock itself is dial-powered with no battery to change: see the X-10 guide.

Life safety switch

The life safety feature (bolt stop assembly) keeps someone from unintentionally extending the lock bolt. With it on, the door will not lock itself when it closes.

  1. To turn it on: turn the dial to the right (clockwise) to withdraw the lock bolt and the dead bolt. The switch can only be pressed while the lock bolt is withdrawn.
  2. Fully turn the release knob counterclockwise and hold it there, then press the life safety switch (next to the LIFE SAFETY label on the dead bolt) until it latches.
  3. Now the switch blocks the lock bolt and the dead bolt will not latch when the door is closed.
  4. To turn it off: pull the life safety switch outward to release the bolt stop.

Which model do you have? (DoD Lock Program status)

The DoD Lock Program (U.S. Navy) lists the status of each CDX model. Check with your local fire marshal (the authority having jurisdiction) about whether a device is right for your door.

  1. CDX-10: current. GSA approved against Type VI of Federal Specification FF-L-2890C (an auxiliary deadbolt with keyless access control). It is meant for standard egress doors in rooms with no regular occupancy, such as a telecommunications closet. The base plate is surface-mounted on the inside face of the door.
  2. CDX-09: no longer made and no longer available from DLA. Parts are no longer available for the CDX-09 or X-09. It is still approved for the same kind of door and for securing classified material. If it fails or needs replacing, it must be replaced with a device that meets FF-L-2890C.
  3. CDX-08 and CDX-07: not made any more. They are still approved for securing classified material, but the DoD Lock Program says all of them have reached the end of their expected service life. It recommends replacing them, which is cheaper than a lockout, and it says they should not be repaired.
  • For a strike plate, the DoD Lock Program’s technical support hotline is 800-290-7607.

If it still won’t open

The door will not lock when I close it

The life safety switch may be on. It stops the dead bolt from latching. Pull the switch outward to turn it off. Also remember the dead bolt only extends when the release bolt hits the strike as the door closes.

I cannot get out

Turn the release knob to the left (counterclockwise) on the inside. That withdraws the dead bolt. If it will not turn, do not force it and call us right away.

The dial will not turn or I do not know the combination

The combination belongs to whoever manages the door. Please do not keep trying. Call us and we will go over your options. Dialing steps for the lock itself are on the X-10 / X-09 guide.

My CDX-08 or CDX-07 is old and acting up

The DoD Lock Program says these have reached the end of their service life and should be replaced, not repaired. Call us about a replacement.

Download the full manufacturer instructions

This page is a quick-reference summary. For every feature and diagram, use the official manual for your model:

Need a hand?

Still stuck? We can help.

Having a hard time getting into your safe? Our technicians are trained to open malfunctioning safes professionally, so your valuables can still be safely secured. Call us or stop by.

Steve’s Lock, Safe and Alarm · 3401 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Call 310-546-3391

More lock guides

About this guide. This is an independent guide from Steve’s Lock, Safe and Alarm, a safe and lock dealer. Brand and model names belong to their owners and are used only to help you identify your lock. We are not affiliated with the manufacturers. These steps summarize the manufacturers’ own instructions; your lock may be a different version, so if anything here does not match what your lock does, follow your manual or call us. Always change codes with the safe door open, and test the new code several times before you close the door.

Steps last checked against the manufacturer documents on October 20, 2026.

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