This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
What is the purpose of the --authorization-mode=RBAC flag on the API server?
It enables role-based access control for the API server
RBAC is the standard authorization mode for Kubernetes.
It disables anonymous authentication
Why wrong: Anonymous auth is controlled by --anonymous-auth.
It enables the NodeRestriction admission plugin
Why wrong: NodeRestriction is an admission plugin, not authorization mode.
It enables audit logging for RBAC events
Why wrong: Audit logging is controlled by separate flags.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
It enables role-based access control for the API server
The `--authorization-mode=RBAC` flag configures the Kubernetes API server to use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) as its authorization mode. This means that when a request reaches the API server, after authentication, the authorization module checks the request against RBAC roles and role bindings to determine if the user or service account has permission to perform the requested action. Without this flag, the API server would default to other modes (e.g., AlwaysAllow) or require explicit configuration of a different authorizer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
It enables role-based access control for the API server
Why this is correct
RBAC is the standard authorization mode for Kubernetes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
It disables anonymous authentication
Why it's wrong here
Anonymous auth is controlled by --anonymous-auth.
It enables the NodeRestriction admission plugin
Why it's wrong here
NodeRestriction is an admission plugin, not authorization mode.
It enables audit logging for RBAC events
Why it's wrong here
Audit logging is controlled by separate flags.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the distinction between authorization modes and other API server flags (like admission plugins or audit logging), so candidates may confuse `--authorization-mode=RBAC` with enabling audit logging or admission controllers, when in fact each flag controls a completely separate subsystem.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the Kubernetes API server supports multiple authorization modes (e.g., Node, RBAC, ABAC, Webhook) that can be chained together using a comma-separated list in the `--authorization-mode` flag. When RBAC is included, the API server evaluates SubjectAccessReview objects against RBAC rules stored in etcd; a common real-world scenario is misconfiguring the order of modes (e.g., placing `AlwaysAllow` before RBAC), which would bypass RBAC checks entirely. Additionally, RBAC itself does not enforce any restrictions on nodes—that requires the Node authorizer mode (`--authorization-mode=Node,RBAC`) to prevent kubelets from accessing unauthorized resources.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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FAQ
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: It enables role-based access control for the API server — The `--authorization-mode=RBAC` flag configures the Kubernetes API server to use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) as its authorization mode. This means that when a request reaches the API server, after authentication, the authorization module checks the request against RBAC roles and role bindings to determine if the user or service account has permission to perform the requested action. Without this flag, the API server would default to other modes (e.g., AlwaysAllow) or require explicit configuration of a different authorizer.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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