- A
kubectl get seccomp
Why wrong: This is for seccomp, not AppArmor.
- B
kubectl get apparmor
Why wrong: There is no kubectl command for AppArmor. AppArmor is a node-level feature.
- C
aa-status
Correct. aa-status shows AppArmor status and loaded profiles.
- D
systemctl status apparmor
Why wrong: This shows if the AppArmor service is running, but does not list loaded profiles.
Question 398 of 997
Checking AppArmor Profiles on a Node Using aa-status
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of system hardening. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: appArmor. 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.
Which kubectl command is used to check whether AppArmor is enabled and which profiles are loaded on a node?
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
✓
aa-status
AppArmor is a Linux Security Module (LSM) enforced at the node level, not a Kubernetes resource. Kubernetes does not expose AppArmor status via kubectl. To check whether AppArmor is enabled and which profiles are loaded, you must execute `aa-status` directly on the node (e.g., via SSH). This command queries the AppArmor kernel module and lists all loaded profiles. Therefore, while the question asks for a 'kubectl command,' the correct approach is to use a node-level command like `aa-status`.
Key principle: AppArmor
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
kubectl get seccomp
Why it's wrong here
This is for seccomp, not AppArmor.
- ✗
kubectl get apparmor
Why it's wrong here
There is no kubectl command for AppArmor. AppArmor is a node-level feature.
- ✓
aa-status
Why this is correct
Correct. aa-status shows AppArmor status and loaded profiles.
Related concept
AppArmor
- ✗
systemctl status apparmor
Why it's wrong here
This shows if the AppArmor service is running, but does not list loaded profiles.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume AppArmor can be managed like a Kubernetes resource using kubectl, but it is a node-level security module that must be checked with Linux-native commands, not Kubernetes API objects.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
There is no kubectl command for AppArmor. AppArmor is a node-level feature.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AppArmor operates as a mandatory access control (MAC) system using Linux Security Modules (LSM), and its profiles are stored in `/etc/apparmor.d/`. The `aa-status` command reads from the kernel's AppArmor interface (via `/sys/kernel/security/apparmor/`) to report the current enforcement mode and loaded profiles. In Kubernetes, AppArmor is applied to pods using annotations like `container.apparmor.security.beta.kubernetes.io/<container_name>`, but the node must have the corresponding profile loaded for it to work; `aa-status` is the definitive way to verify this.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AppArmor
- aa-status
- kubectl
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
AppArmor
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CKS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. AppArmor Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review appArmor, then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
System Hardening — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
System Hardening — This question tests System Hardening — AppArmor.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: aa-status — AppArmor is a Linux Security Module (LSM) enforced at the node level, not a Kubernetes resource. Kubernetes does not expose AppArmor status via kubectl. To check whether AppArmor is enabled and which profiles are loaded, you must execute `aa-status` directly on the node (e.g., via SSH). This command queries the AppArmor kernel module and lists all loaded profiles. Therefore, while the question asks for a 'kubectl command,' the correct approach is to use a node-level command like `aa-status`.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Review appArmor, then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AppArmor
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on CKS
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which kubectl command is used to check the AppArmor status on a Kubernetes node?
easy- A.kubectl describe node <node> | grep AppArmor
- B.kubectl get apparmor
- ✓ C.kubectl node-shell <node> -- aa-status
- D.kubectl exec <pod> -- aa-status
Why C: Option C is correct because `kubectl node-shell` provides a shell into the node's filesystem, allowing you to run `aa-status` directly on the node to check the AppArmor status. This is the standard method to verify AppArmor profiles and their enforcement state on a Kubernetes node, as AppArmor operates at the host kernel level and is not managed via the Kubernetes API.
Variation 2. Which of the following is a valid way to check the status of AppArmor profiles on a node?
easy- A.Use 'apparmor_parser --status'
- B.Run 'kubectl get apparmorprofiles'
- C.Read the file /sys/kernel/security/apparmor/profiles
- ✓ D.Run 'aa-status' on the node
Why D: Option D is correct because `aa-status` is the standard command-line tool for checking the status of AppArmor profiles on a Linux node. It displays which profiles are loaded, which processes are confined, and the enforcement mode (enforce/complain). This is the direct, node-level utility for AppArmor status verification.
Variation 3. Which of the following commands shows all loaded AppArmor profiles?
easy- A.apparmor_parser
- ✓ B.aa-status
- C.aa-disable
- D.aa-enforce
Why B: The `aa-status` command displays the current status of AppArmor, including all loaded profiles, their enforcement mode (enforce/complain), and which processes are confined by them. This is the standard tool for listing active AppArmor profiles on a system.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CKS practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF 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 CKS exam.
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