- A
Kyverno is not an admission controller; it only mutates resources
Why wrong: Kyverno can both mutate and validate resources via admission webhooks.
- B
The Kyverno policy requires an external registry to compare images, which is unavailable
Why wrong: Kyverno can check image registries but the policy logic can be based on patterns without external calls.
- C
The Kyverno webhook is not invoked because the failure policy is set to Ignore or the resource is not matched by the policy's rules
If the webhook's failure policy is 'Ignore', a failing webhook will not block the request. Also, the policy may not match the namespace or other criteria.
- D
The Pod was created by a Deployment controller, which bypasses admission control
Why wrong: Admission controllers are invoked for all API requests, including those from controllers.
Why Kyverno Might Not Reject Untrusted Images: Failure Policy Ignore
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You have configured Kyverno to enforce that all Pods must have an image from a trusted registry. However, a newly created Pod is not being rejected even though it uses an untrusted image. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 Kyverno webhook is not invoked because the failure policy is set to Ignore or the resource is not matched by the policy's rules
Option C is correct because Kyverno operates as a dynamic admission controller via a MutatingAdmissionWebhook or ValidatingAdmissionWebhook. If the webhook's failure policy is set to `Ignore`, the webhook will not block the Pod creation when it fails to invoke, and the Pod will be admitted. Additionally, if the policy's rules do not match the Pod (e.g., due to incorrect resource selection or namespace exclusion), the webhook will not be triggered, allowing untrusted images through.
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.
- ✗
Kyverno is not an admission controller; it only mutates resources
Why it's wrong here
Kyverno can both mutate and validate resources via admission webhooks.
- ✗
The Kyverno policy requires an external registry to compare images, which is unavailable
Why it's wrong here
Kyverno can check image registries but the policy logic can be based on patterns without external calls.
- ✓
The Kyverno webhook is not invoked because the failure policy is set to Ignore or the resource is not matched by the policy's rules
Why this is correct
If the webhook's failure policy is 'Ignore', a failing webhook will not block the request. Also, the policy may not match the namespace or other criteria.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The Pod was created by a Deployment controller, which bypasses admission control
Why it's wrong here
Admission controllers are invoked for all API requests, including those from controllers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume admission control is bypassed by controllers like Deployments, but in Kubernetes, all API requests—including those from controllers—go through admission webhooks; the real issue is usually a misconfigured failure policy or rule mismatch.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Kyverno registers its webhooks with the Kubernetes API server using the `admissionregistration.k8s.io/v1` API. The `failurePolicy` field in the `ValidatingWebhookConfiguration` controls behavior when the webhook is unreachable: `Fail` blocks the request, while `Ignore` allows it. A common subtlety is that if the webhook service is down or misconfigured, `Ignore` silently permits non-compliant resources. Real-world scenarios often involve network policies or RBAC misconfigurations that prevent the API server from reaching the Kyverno webhook service, leading to unexpected admission bypasses.
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
- →
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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Kyverno webhook is not invoked because the failure policy is set to Ignore or the resource is not matched by the policy's rules — Option C is correct because Kyverno operates as a dynamic admission controller via a MutatingAdmissionWebhook or ValidatingAdmissionWebhook. If the webhook's failure policy is set to `Ignore`, the webhook will not block the Pod creation when it fails to invoke, and the Pod will be admitted. Additionally, if the policy's rules do not match the Pod (e.g., due to incorrect resource selection or namespace exclusion), the webhook will not be triggered, allowing untrusted images through.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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