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.
Which flag is used to restrict the kubelet's ability to modify node status and pods?
--authorization-mode=Webhook
This enables webhook authorization for the kubelet, which can restrict actions.
--read-only-port=0
Why wrong: This disables the read-only port, but does not restrict modifications.
--protect-kernel-defaults=true
Why wrong: This ensures sysctl settings, not authorization.
--authentication-token-webhook=true
Why wrong: This enables token authentication, not authorization.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
--authorization-mode=Webhook
The `--authorization-mode=Webhook` flag configures the kubelet to use an external authorization webhook (e.g., via the SubjectAccessReview API) for all requests, including those to modify node status and pods. This restricts the kubelet's ability to autonomously update its own node status or pod resources, as every such request must be approved by the external authorizer, enforcing a least-privilege model.
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.
--authorization-mode=Webhook
Why this is correct
This enables webhook authorization for the kubelet, which can restrict actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
--read-only-port=0
Why it's wrong here
This disables the read-only port, but does not restrict modifications.
--protect-kernel-defaults=true
Why it's wrong here
This ensures sysctl settings, not authorization.
--authentication-token-webhook=true
Why it's wrong here
This enables token authentication, not authorization.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse authentication (verifying identity) with authorization (controlling actions), so they pick `--authentication-token-webhook=true` thinking it restricts the kubelet, when in fact it only validates tokens without limiting what the kubelet can do once authenticated.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, when `--authorization-mode=Webhook` is set, the kubelet sends a SubjectAccessReview to the API server for every request it receives (including its own self-updates to node status). The webhook can be configured to deny the kubelet from modifying its node status unless explicitly allowed, which is critical in multi-tenant clusters where a compromised kubelet should not be able to falsely report node health or evict pods. A subtle behavior is that this flag only applies to the kubelet's authorization for incoming requests, not to its outbound calls to the API server for heartbeats or pod updates—those are governed by the kubelet's own credentials and RBAC.
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: --authorization-mode=Webhook — The `--authorization-mode=Webhook` flag configures the kubelet to use an external authorization webhook (e.g., via the SubjectAccessReview API) for all requests, including those to modify node status and pods. This restricts the kubelet's ability to autonomously update its own node status or pod resources, as every such request must be approved by the external authorizer, enforcing a least-privilege model.
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 24, 2026
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