CKS Supply Chain Security Practice Question
In a CI/CD pipeline, which step is MOST effective for detecting known vulnerabilities in a container image before deployment?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CKS exam often tests the distinction between static analysis of build files (like Dockerfile linting) and runtime or image-level security scanning, leading candidates to mistakenly choose linting as a vulnerability detection method.
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
✓
Run a vulnerability scan on the container image
Running a vulnerability scan on the container image (Option A) is the most effective step because it directly checks the image layers and installed packages against known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) databases, such as the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). This identifies security flaws in base images and dependencies before deployment, which is a core requirement of supply chain security in Kubernetes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Run a vulnerability scan on the container image
Why this is correct
Scanning the image for CVEs identifies known security issues.
- ✗
Check the image size
Why it's wrong here
Image size is not directly related to vulnerabilities.
- ✗
Run unit tests on the application code
Why it's wrong here
Unit tests test functionality, not security vulnerabilities in images.
- ✗
Lint the Dockerfile
Why it's wrong here
Linting checks Dockerfile syntax but does not scan for CVEs.
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This CKS question is part of Courseiva's 114-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.