CKS System Hardening Practice Question
An administrator wants to enforce that no container in a specific namespace runs with the privileged security context. They decide to use Pod Security Standards. Which Pod Security Standard level should be applied to the namespace?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the 'baseline' level as being sufficient to block privileged containers, but baseline only prevents known privilege escalations and does not explicitly deny the `privileged: true` setting, which is only enforced by the restricted level.
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
✓
restricted
The restricted Pod Security Standard (PSS) level is the correct choice because it enforces the most stringent set of security controls, including the prohibition of privileged containers. This level denies any pod that requests `privileged: true` or uses other privileged capabilities, ensuring that no container in the namespace can run with elevated host access. The baseline level is less restrictive and allows some privileged configurations, while the privileged level imposes no restrictions at all.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
baseline
Why it's wrong here
Baseline prevents known privilege escalations but still allows some privileged containers.
- ✗
custom
Why it's wrong here
Pod Security Standards do not have a 'custom' level; custom policies require a different mechanism like OPA/Gatekeeper.
- ✓
restricted
Why this is correct
Restricted is the most restrictive level and prohibits privileged containers.
- ✗
privileged
Why it's wrong here
The privileged level is intentionally permissive and allows all known privilege escalations.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Supply Chain Security: Container Image Security
Key term
Pod Security Standards
Pod Security Standards are a set of predefined Kubernetes policies that control the security context of pods to prevent privilege escalation and enforce least privilege.
Key term
Pod Security Admission
Pod Security Admission is a Kubernetes feature that enforces security standards on pods at creation time to prevent running containers with dangerous privileges.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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