- A
ImagePolicyWebhook
Why wrong: ImagePolicyWebhook is an admission controller for image policy checks, not for general webhook invocation.
- B
ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
Correct. ValidatingAdmissionWebhook invokes external webhooks for validation.
- C
MutatingAdmissionWebhook
Why wrong: MutatingAdmissionWebhook is used for mutation, not validation. The question asks for the controller that validates; therefore, this option is incorrect.
- D
PodSecurity
Why wrong: PodSecurity is an admission controller for Pod Security Standards, not for invoking webhooks.
Question 596 of 997
Differences Between ValidatingAdmissionWebhook and MutatingAdmissionWebhook
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. A key principle to apply: validatingAdmissionWebhook. 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.
Which admission controller is responsible for invoking external webhooks to validate or mutate resources?
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
✓
ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
The ValidatingAdmissionWebhook admission controller is responsible for invoking external webhooks that validate resources. While there is a separate controller, MutatingAdmissionWebhook, for mutation, the question's inclusion of 'or mutate' can be misleading. The correct answer is ValidatingAdmissionWebhook because it handles validation, and the phrase 'validate or mutate' is meant to test the candidate's ability to distinguish between the two controllers.
Key principle: ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ImagePolicyWebhook
Why it's wrong here
ImagePolicyWebhook is an admission controller for image policy checks, not for general webhook invocation.
- ✓
ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
Why this is correct
Correct. ValidatingAdmissionWebhook invokes external webhooks for validation.
Related concept
ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
- ✗
MutatingAdmissionWebhook
Why it's wrong here
MutatingAdmissionWebhook is used for mutation, not validation. The question asks for the controller that validates; therefore, this option is incorrect.
- ✗
PodSecurity
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurity is an admission controller for Pod Security Standards, not for invoking webhooks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap is that candidates see 'or mutate' and assume MutatingAdmissionWebhook is the answer, but validation and mutation are handled by separate controllers. The question is specifically looking for the controller that validates, so ValidatingAdmissionWebhook is correct.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, ValidatingAdmissionWebhook uses the ValidatingWebhookConfiguration API object, which specifies the webhook endpoint, rules for which resources to intercept, and timeout settings. A subtle behavior is that if the webhook is unreachable or fails, the default failure policy (Fail) will block the resource creation, which can cause cluster-wide outages if not configured with Ignore. In real-world scenarios, this is commonly used to enforce custom policies like ensuring all pods have resource limits or validating that namespaces have specific labels.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
- MutatingAdmissionWebhook
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
ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
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. ValidatingAdmissionWebhook 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 validatingAdmissionWebhook, 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
- →
All CKS questions
997 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CKS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Supply Chain Security — This question tests Supply Chain Security — ValidatingAdmissionWebhook.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ValidatingAdmissionWebhook — The ValidatingAdmissionWebhook admission controller is responsible for invoking external webhooks that validate resources. While there is a separate controller, MutatingAdmissionWebhook, for mutation, the question's inclusion of 'or mutate' can be misleading. The correct answer is ValidatingAdmissionWebhook because it handles validation, and the phrase 'validate or mutate' is meant to test the candidate's ability to distinguish between the two controllers.
What should I do if I get this CKS question wrong?
Review validatingAdmissionWebhook, then practise related CKS questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
ValidatingAdmissionWebhook
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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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