- A
Trivy only scans the application layer and ignores the base image
Why wrong: Trivy scans all layers including base images.
- B
The image was scanned with an outdated vulnerability database
Trivy's vulnerability database may be outdated or not include all databases, leading to missing CVEs.
- C
Trivy cannot scan images stored in private registries
Why wrong: Trivy can scan private registries with authentication.
- D
The other tool has false positives
Why wrong: While possible, the most likely reason is an outdated or incomplete Trivy database.
Question 633 of 997
Trivy Outdated Database — Vulnerability Scan Discrepancy
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of supply chain security. 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.
An administrator runs 'trivy image --severity HIGH,CRITICAL myapp:v1.0' and sees no vulnerabilities. However, a security scan of the same image using a different tool reports several HIGH severity CVEs. What is the MOST likely reason for this discrepancy?
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The image was scanned with an outdated vulnerability database
Trivy relies on a local vulnerability database (e.g., the `trivy-db` or `trivy-java-db`) that must be regularly updated to include the latest CVE entries. If the database is outdated, Trivy will not detect recently published HIGH or CRITICAL vulnerabilities, even if they exist in the image. This is the most likely reason for the discrepancy, as a different tool may have a more current database.
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.
- ✗
Trivy only scans the application layer and ignores the base image
Why it's wrong here
Trivy scans all layers including base images.
- ✓
The image was scanned with an outdated vulnerability database
Why this is correct
Trivy's vulnerability database may be outdated or not include all databases, leading to missing CVEs.
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.
- ✗
Trivy cannot scan images stored in private registries
Why it's wrong here
Trivy can scan private registries with authentication.
- ✗
The other tool has false positives
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the most likely reason is an outdated or incomplete Trivy database.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly think Trivy ignores base images or cannot handle private registries, when the real issue is an outdated CVE database. This discrepancy highlights that vulnerability scanners are only as good as their database freshness.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Trivy downloads its vulnerability database from GitHub releases (e.g., `ghcr.io/aquasecurity/trivy-db`) and caches it locally. If the database is not refreshed (e.g., via `trivy image --update-cache` or automatic daily updates), it may miss CVEs published after the last update. In real-world CI/CD pipelines, failing to update the database before scanning can lead to false negatives, especially for zero-day or recently disclosed vulnerabilities.
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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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 image was scanned with an outdated vulnerability database — Trivy relies on a local vulnerability database (e.g., the `trivy-db` or `trivy-java-db`) that must be regularly updated to include the latest CVE entries. If the database is outdated, Trivy will not detect recently published HIGH or CRITICAL vulnerabilities, even if they exist in the image. This is the most likely reason for the discrepancy, as a different tool may have a more current database.
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.
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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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