KCSA Kubernetes Security Fundamentals Practice Question
You are auditing a cluster and find a pod that mounts the host's root filesystem directly into the container. Which Pod Security Standard rule does this violate?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It violates both baseline and restricted standards by using a hostPath volume.
Mounting host paths (hostPath volumes) is prohibited by both the baseline and restricted Pod Security Standards because it allows container escape.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It is permitted under all standards provided the container runs as a non-root user.
Why it's wrong here
Non-root status does not override hostPath restrictions.
- ✓
It violates both baseline and restricted standards by using a hostPath volume.
Why this is correct
hostPath volumes provide direct access to the underlying node filesystem and are blocked by default in hardened standards.
- ✗
It is fully compliant with the restricted standard as long as 'readOnly: true' is set.
Why it's wrong here
Even read-only hostPath mounts are generally forbidden under restricted profiles due to security risks.
- ✗
It only violates the restricted standard; baseline permits hostPath mounts.
Why it's wrong here
Baseline also forbids hostPath volumes to prevent node compromise.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official CNCF / Linux Foundation exam blueprint
This KCSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF / Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the KCSA exam.