- A
Mount the default service account token at /var/run/secrets/kubernetes.io/serviceaccount
Why wrong: The default token is long-lived and not bound to a pod.
- B
Use a projected volume with 'serviceAccountToken' and set 'expirationSeconds'
Projected volumes allow you to request a time-bound token.
- C
Set automountServiceAccountToken: false and manually mount a Secret containing a token
Why wrong: Manually mounting a Secret token is not recommended; tokens should be time-bound.
- D
Use a ConfigMap to inject the token
Why wrong: ConfigMaps are not secure for tokens; they are not encrypted and not bound to pods.
Question 249 of 997
How to Mount a ServiceAccountToken with an Expiration Time?
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of minimize microservice vulnerabilities. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 a Pod that uses a ServiceAccount token mounted via a projected volume. You want to ensure that the token has an expiration time and that the pod is not using a long-lived token. What is the most secure way to mount the token?
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
✓
Use a projected volume with 'serviceAccountToken' and set 'expirationSeconds'
Option B is correct because using a projected volume with `serviceAccountToken` and setting `expirationSeconds` allows you to explicitly control the token's lifetime, ensuring it is short-lived and automatically rotated. This is the most secure approach as it prevents the use of long-lived tokens that could be compromised. The default service account token is a long-lived token with no expiration, which violates the principle of minimizing credential exposure.
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.
- ✗
Mount the default service account token at /var/run/secrets/kubernetes.io/serviceaccount
Why it's wrong here
The default token is long-lived and not bound to a pod.
- ✓
Use a projected volume with 'serviceAccountToken' and set 'expirationSeconds'
Why this is correct
Projected volumes allow you to request a time-bound token.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set automountServiceAccountToken: false and manually mount a Secret containing a token
Why it's wrong here
Manually mounting a Secret token is not recommended; tokens should be time-bound.
- ✗
Use a ConfigMap to inject the token
Why it's wrong here
ConfigMaps are not secure for tokens; they are not encrypted and not bound to pods.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
This exam often tests the misconception that the default service account token is secure because it is automatically mounted, but the trap is that it is a long-lived token with no expiration, whereas the projected volume with `expirationSeconds` provides a short-lived, automatically rotated token that aligns with security best practices.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `serviceAccountToken` projected volume uses the TokenRequest API (bound service account tokens) which supports configurable `expirationSeconds` (default 3600 seconds, minimum 600 seconds). These tokens are bound to the pod's lifecycle and automatically rotated by the kubelet, reducing the blast radius if a token is leaked. In contrast, the legacy service account token is a static Secret-based token that never expires unless manually deleted, making it a prime target for attackers in compromised environments.
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
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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: Use a projected volume with 'serviceAccountToken' and set 'expirationSeconds' — Option B is correct because using a projected volume with `serviceAccountToken` and setting `expirationSeconds` allows you to explicitly control the token's lifetime, ensuring it is short-lived and automatically rotated. This is the most secure approach as it prevents the use of long-lived tokens that could be compromised. The default service account token is a long-lived token with no expiration, which violates the principle of minimizing credential exposure.
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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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 →
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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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