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 kubectl command can be used to check the CIS benchmark compliance of a Kubernetes cluster?
kube-bench run --targets=master,worker
kube-bench is designed to run CIS benchmark checks against Kubernetes clusters.
kubectl security-check
Why wrong: This is not a standard kubectl command.
kubectl cis-benchmark
Why wrong: There is no kubectl subcommand called cis-benchmark.
kubectl audit cluster
Why wrong: kubectl audit is not a standard kubectl command.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
kube-bench run --targets=master,worker
Option A is correct because `kube-bench` is the official open-source tool from Aqua Security that runs CIS Kubernetes Benchmark checks against a cluster. It scans nodes by targeting specific roles (master, worker) and compares the cluster configuration against the CIS Benchmark controls, reporting pass/fail for each check.
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.
kube-bench run --targets=master,worker
Why this is correct
kube-bench is designed to run CIS benchmark checks against Kubernetes clusters.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kubectl security-check
Why it's wrong here
This is not a standard kubectl command.
kubectl cis-benchmark
Why it's wrong here
There is no kubectl subcommand called cis-benchmark.
kubectl audit cluster
Why it's wrong here
kubectl audit is not a standard kubectl command.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the misconception that kubectl has built-in security or compliance subcommands, when in reality tools like kube-bench are separate executables that must be installed and run independently.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is not a standard kubectl command.
Detailed technical explanation
kube-bench runs as a container or binary on each node and checks configuration files (e.g., kube-apiserver.yaml, kubelet-config.yaml) against the CIS Benchmark controls (e.g., control 1.1.1 for API server anonymous-auth). It uses YAML-based test definitions that map to specific CIS rule IDs, and the output includes detailed remediation steps for failed checks. In a real-world CKS scenario, you might run `kube-bench run --targets=master` on the control plane node to verify hardening before a production deployment.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: kube-bench run --targets=master,worker — Option A is correct because `kube-bench` is the official open-source tool from Aqua Security that runs CIS Kubernetes Benchmark checks against a cluster. It scans nodes by targeting specific roles (master, worker) and compares the cluster configuration against the CIS Benchmark controls, reporting pass/fail for each check.
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
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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