- A
*@sha256*
Correct. The pattern '*@sha256:*' matches exactly the SHA256 digest format.
- B
"*@*"
Why wrong: Incorrect. '*@*' matches any digest algorithm or any reference with '@', not restricted to SHA256.
- C
"*@sha256:*"
Correct. Identical to option A; matches the SHA256 digest format.
- D
"*:*"
Why wrong: Incorrect. '*:*' matches any tag or colon-separated reference, not only digest-based references.
Question 673 of 997
Which Kyverno Pattern Matches Image References with SHA256 Digests?
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. A key principle to apply: kyverno pattern matching. 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 Kyverno policy is written to require all images to use SHA256 digests instead of tags. The policy uses a 'validate' rule with 'pattern' on 'spec.containers[*].image'. Which pattern would match an image reference like 'registry.example.com/myapp@sha256:abc123...'?
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
✓
*@sha256*
Both options A and C contain the pattern '*@sha256:*', which matches image references using a SHA256 digest. Options A and C are textually identical, making both correct. Option B ('*@*') would match any digest algorithm (e.g., SHA512) or non-digest references, which does not enforce SHA256 specifically. Option D ('*:*') matches any tag, not just digests. Thus, both A and C meet the requirement.
Key principle: Kyverno pattern matching
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
*@sha256*
Why this is correct
Correct. The pattern '*@sha256:*' matches exactly the SHA256 digest format.
Related concept
Kyverno pattern matching
- ✗
"*@*"
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. '*@*' matches any digest algorithm or any reference with '@', not restricted to SHA256.
- ✓
"*@sha256:*"
Why this is correct
Correct. Identical to option A; matches the SHA256 digest format.
Related concept
Kyverno pattern matching
- ✗
"*:*"
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. '*:*' matches any tag or colon-separated reference, not only digest-based references.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that two identical options (A and C) appear, causing confusion. Candidates may assume only one is correct, but both are valid. Also, candidates may mistakenly choose a pattern that matches any digest (option B) instead of specifically SHA256.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Kyverno's 'pattern' field uses glob-style matching where '*' matches any sequence of characters, but it does not support regex. The '@sha256:' prefix is part of the OCI image reference format defined in the Docker/OCI distribution spec (https://github.com/opencontainers/distribution-spec), where a digest is a hash prefixed by the algorithm (e.g., 'sha256'). In a real-world scenario, using a pattern like '*@sha256:*' ensures that only images pinned to a specific SHA256 digest are allowed, which is critical for immutable deployments and preventing tag-based attacks like tag mutability or malicious updates.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Kyverno pattern matching
- Image reference format
- SHA256 digest
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
Kyverno pattern matching
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. Kyverno pattern matching 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 kyverno pattern matching, then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Supply Chain Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Supply Chain Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Supply Chain Security — This question tests Supply Chain Security — Kyverno pattern matching.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: *@sha256* — Both options A and C contain the pattern '*@sha256:*', which matches image references using a SHA256 digest. Options A and C are textually identical, making both correct. Option B ('*@*') would match any digest algorithm (e.g., SHA512) or non-digest references, which does not enforce SHA256 specifically. Option D ('*:*') matches any tag, not just digests. Thus, both A and C meet the requirement.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Review kyverno pattern matching, then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Kyverno pattern matching
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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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