This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 pod runs with a service account that has a ClusterRoleBinding granting cluster-admin. What is the best practice to reduce the risk of privilege escalation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a more restrictive Role/ClusterRole with only required permissions and bind it to the service account, removing the cluster-admin binding
Option C is correct because the principle of least privilege dictates that a service account should only have the permissions necessary for its function. By creating a more restrictive Role/ClusterRole with only required permissions and binding it to the service account, you remove the excessive cluster-admin privileges, directly reducing the risk of privilege escalation. This aligns with Kubernetes RBAC best practices for hardening cluster setup.
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.
✗
Use a PodSecurityPolicy to restrict the service account
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurityPolicy is deprecated and does not restrict RBAC permissions; it controls pod security contexts.
✗
Delete the service account and create a new one without any roles
Why it's wrong here
This would break the pod's functionality if it needs any permissions. Least privilege should be applied, not zero privilege.
✓
Create a more restrictive Role/ClusterRole with only required permissions and bind it to the service account, removing the cluster-admin binding
Why this is correct
This follows the principle of least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a NetworkPolicy to block outbound traffic from the pod
Why it's wrong here
NetworkPolicy controls network traffic, not RBAC permissions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the distinction between RBAC (who can do what) and other security controls like PodSecurityPolicy or NetworkPolicy, expecting candidates to recognize that only RBAC changes can directly reduce service account permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RBAC in Kubernetes uses Role/ClusterRole objects to define sets of permissions (verbs on resources), and RoleBinding/ClusterRoleBinding to assign them to subjects (users, groups, service accounts). The cluster-admin ClusterRole is a built-in superuser role that grants '*' on all resources and non-resource URLs; removing its binding and replacing it with a custom, scoped ClusterRole (e.g., only 'get' and 'list' on specific pods) enforces least privilege. In a real-world scenario, a compromised pod with cluster-admin could create privileged pods or exfiltrate secrets, whereas a restricted service account limits blast radius.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a more restrictive Role/ClusterRole with only required permissions and bind it to the service account, removing the cluster-admin binding — Option C is correct because the principle of least privilege dictates that a service account should only have the permissions necessary for its function. By creating a more restrictive Role/ClusterRole with only required permissions and binding it to the service account, you remove the excessive cluster-admin privileges, directly reducing the risk of privilege escalation. This aligns with Kubernetes RBAC best practices for hardening cluster setup.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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