The correct answer is to use AWS CodeBuild to run a vulnerability scanner on the Docker image, then push to Amazon ECR only if the scan passes. This approach is correct because it integrates the scanning step directly into the CI/CD pipeline before the image is stored in the registry, ensuring that only compliant images are deployed to Amazon ECS. The key technical concept here is that CodeBuild can execute custom build commands, including invoking tools like Trivy or Snyk, and then conditionally push the image based on the scan exit code. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of pipeline security gates and the order of operations in a CI/CD workflow. A common trap is to assume that ECR’s native scanning (which happens after the push) satisfies the requirement, but the question explicitly demands scanning *before* the push. Remember the memory tip: “Scan before you stow” — always run vulnerability checks in the build phase, not the registry phase, to prevent vulnerable images from ever entering ECR.
DOP-C02 Docker image vulnerability scan Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A DevOps engineer needs to implement a CI/CD pipeline that builds a Docker image, scans it for vulnerabilities, and deploys it to Amazon ECS. The scanning must be integrated into the pipeline before the image is pushed to Amazon ECR. Which approach meets these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use CodeBuild to run a vulnerability scanner on the Docker image, then push to ECR only if the scan passes.
Option B is correct because it uses CodeBuild to run a vulnerability scanner on the Docker image before pushing to ECR, ensuring that only images that pass the scan are stored and deployed. This satisfies the requirement to scan before the image is pushed to ECR, which is critical for preventing vulnerable images from entering the registry.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable ECR 'Scan on Push' and configure CodePipeline to deploy only if the scan result is clean.
Why it's wrong here
Scan on Push scans after the image is pushed, not before. The requirement is to scan before push.
✗
Use AWS Lambda to scan the image after push and automatically roll back if vulnerabilities are found.
Why it's wrong here
This scans after push, not before.
✗
Use AWS Security Hub to scan images in ECR and block deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Security Hub aggregates findings but does not scan images itself; it relies on other services.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The DOP-C02 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Use CodeBuild to run a vulnerability scanner on the Docker image, then push to ECR only if the scan passes.Correct answer▾✗Enable ECR 'Scan on Push' and configure CodePipeline to deploy only if the scan result is clean.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Scan on Push scans after the image is pushed, not before. The requirement is to scan before push.
✗Use AWS Lambda to scan the image after push and automatically roll back if vulnerabilities are found.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This scans after push, not before.
✗Use AWS Security Hub to scan images in ECR and block deployment.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Security Hub aggregates findings but does not scan images itself; it relies on other services.
Analysis generated from the official DOP-C02blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Scan on Push' (post-push) with pre-push scanning, or assume that Security Hub can directly scan and block deployments, when in reality it is an aggregation and correlation service, not a scanning engine.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CodeBuild can run containerized vulnerability scanners such as Trivy or Clair against the Docker image in the build environment, checking against CVE databases before the image is tagged and pushed to ECR. This approach ensures that the pipeline fails fast and avoids storing insecure images in the registry, which is especially important in regulated environments where image immutability is enforced.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use CodeBuild to run a vulnerability scanner on the Docker image, then push to ECR only if the scan passes. — Option B is correct because it uses CodeBuild to run a vulnerability scanner on the Docker image before pushing to ECR, ensuring that only images that pass the scan are stored and deployed. This satisfies the requirement to scan before the image is pushed to ECR, which is critical for preventing vulnerable images from entering the registry.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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