- A
The ImagePolicyWebhook is configured with a low timeout
Why wrong: Timeout would cause failures, not bypassing.
- B
The registry is allowlisted in the webhook configuration
Why wrong: Allowlisting would permit the registry, not block it.
- C
The admission controller is disabled
Why wrong: If disabled, all images would be admitted.
- D
The ImagePolicyWebhook is placed after mutating admission webhooks in the admission chain
If mutating webhooks change the image reference, the ImagePolicyWebhook might evaluate a different image.
Question 46 of 997
ImagePolicyWebhook Placement Order: Why Order Matters in Admission Chain
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. 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 cluster uses ImagePolicyWebhook admission controller. After configuring it, deployments referencing images from an unauthorized registry are blocked. However, some deployments are still being admitted. What is a possible cause?
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
✓
The ImagePolicyWebhook is placed after mutating admission webhooks in the admission chain
Option D is correct because the ImagePolicyWebhook admission controller must be placed before mutating admission webhooks in the admission chain. If it is placed after mutating webhooks, a mutating webhook could modify the image reference (e.g., rewriting the registry URL) after the ImagePolicyWebhook has already validated it, effectively bypassing the policy. The order of admission controllers in the kube-apiserver's `--enable-admission-plugins` flag matters, and the ImagePolicyWebhook should be early in the chain to enforce policy before any mutations occur.
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.
- ✗
The ImagePolicyWebhook is configured with a low timeout
Why it's wrong here
Timeout would cause failures, not bypassing.
- ✗
The registry is allowlisted in the webhook configuration
Why it's wrong here
Allowlisting would permit the registry, not block it.
- ✗
The admission controller is disabled
Why it's wrong here
If disabled, all images would be admitted.
- ✓
The ImagePolicyWebhook is placed after mutating admission webhooks in the admission chain
Why this is correct
If mutating webhooks change the image reference, the ImagePolicyWebhook might evaluate a different image.
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 often assume all admission controllers run independently and order doesn't matter, but Kubernetes tests the subtle behavior that mutating webhooks can alter objects after validation, so the ImagePolicyWebhook must be placed before any mutating webhooks to enforce registry policies correctly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The admission chain in Kubernetes is processed in order, and mutating webhooks can modify objects before validating webhooks run. If the ImagePolicyWebhook (a validating webhook) is placed after a mutating webhook that rewrites image references (e.g., using a sidecar injector or registry mirror), the mutated image may point to an unauthorized registry that was not checked. In practice, this can be exploited by attackers who deploy a mutating webhook to change the image after policy validation, making the order of admission controllers a critical security configuration.
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.
- →
Supply Chain Security — 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?
Supply Chain Security — This question tests Supply Chain Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ImagePolicyWebhook is placed after mutating admission webhooks in the admission chain — Option D is correct because the ImagePolicyWebhook admission controller must be placed before mutating admission webhooks in the admission chain. If it is placed after mutating webhooks, a mutating webhook could modify the image reference (e.g., rewriting the registry URL) after the ImagePolicyWebhook has already validated it, effectively bypassing the policy. The order of admission controllers in the kube-apiserver's `--enable-admission-plugins` flag matters, and the ImagePolicyWebhook should be early in the chain to enforce policy before any mutations occur.
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.
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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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