- A
kubectl apply -f webhookconfiguration.yaml
Why wrong: There is no generic 'webhookconfiguration' resource.
- B
kubectl apply -f podpreset.yaml
Why wrong: PodPreset is deprecated and not an admission webhook resource.
- C
kubectl apply -f mutatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml
Why wrong: MutatingWebhookConfiguration is for mutating webhooks, not validation.
- D
kubectl apply -f validatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml
ValidatingWebhookConfiguration is the correct resource for validation webhooks.
Question 422 of 997
Create ValidatingWebhookConfiguration
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of minimize microservice vulnerabilities. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which kubectl command creates a valid webhook configuration that validates pods against a policy?
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
✓
kubectl apply -f validatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml
Option D is correct because a ValidatingWebhookConfiguration is the Kubernetes resource that intercepts API server requests to validate resources (e.g., pods) against an external policy before they are persisted. The command `kubectl apply -f validatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml` creates this configuration, which triggers a webhook call to an admission webhook server that returns an admission review with an 'allowed' or 'denied' decision.
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.
- ✗
kubectl apply -f webhookconfiguration.yaml
Why it's wrong here
There is no generic 'webhookconfiguration' resource.
- ✗
kubectl apply -f podpreset.yaml
Why it's wrong here
PodPreset is deprecated and not an admission webhook resource.
- ✗
kubectl apply -f mutatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml
Why it's wrong here
MutatingWebhookConfiguration is for mutating webhooks, not validation.
- ✓
kubectl apply -f validatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml
Why this is correct
ValidatingWebhookConfiguration is the correct resource for validation webhooks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse ValidatingWebhookConfiguration with MutatingWebhookConfiguration, or assume a generic 'webhookconfiguration.yaml' is valid, but the CKS exam specifically tests the distinction between validation and mutation in admission webhooks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a ValidatingWebhookConfiguration registers an external webhook endpoint (HTTPS) that the kube-apiserver calls with an AdmissionReview object containing the pod spec. The webhook must return an AdmissionReview with an 'allowed' field set to false to reject the pod. A common subtlety is that the webhook must be reachable and the TLS certificate must be trusted by the API server, or the entire cluster can become unresponsive if the webhook fails (failurePolicy defaults to Fail).
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — This question tests Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kubectl apply -f validatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml — Option D is correct because a ValidatingWebhookConfiguration is the Kubernetes resource that intercepts API server requests to validate resources (e.g., pods) against an external policy before they are persisted. The command `kubectl apply -f validatingwebhookconfiguration.yaml` creates this configuration, which triggers a webhook call to an admission webhook server that returns an admission review with an 'allowed' or 'denied' decision.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
1 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 creates a validating webhook configuration that calls an external HTTPS endpoint for pod validation?
easy- A.kubectl create admission webhook --validate
- B.kubectl run webhook --image=...
- ✓ C.kubectl apply -f webhook.yaml
- D.kubectl create validatingwebhookconfiguration --url=https://...
Why C: Option C is correct because `kubectl apply -f webhook.yaml` is the standard way to create any Kubernetes resource, including a ValidatingWebhookConfiguration, from a YAML manifest. The manifest defines the webhook's client configuration, including the external HTTPS endpoint, CA bundle, and rules for pod validation. There is no dedicated `kubectl create` subcommand for webhooks; the resource must be defined declaratively in a YAML file.
Keep practising
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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