This CKS practice question tests your understanding of system hardening. 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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for reducing the attack surface of Kubernetes nodes?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Minimize host access from containers (e.g., disable hostPID, hostNetwork)
Option A is correct because disabling hostPID and hostNetwork prevents containers from accessing the host's process namespace and network stack, which would otherwise allow privilege escalation or network sniffing. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and reduces the node's attack surface by isolating container workloads from the host OS.
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.
✓
Minimize host access from containers (e.g., disable hostPID, hostNetwork)
Why this is correct
Reduces the container's ability to affect the host.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use minimal base container images
Why this is correct
Reduces the number of packages and vulnerabilities.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Disable unnecessary system services on nodes
Why this is correct
Reduces potential attack vectors.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Expose the host network to containers for better performance
Why it's wrong here
Exposing host network increases attack surface.
✗
Run containers as root to simplify permissions
Why it's wrong here
Running as root increases risk; use non-root users.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the misconception that hostNetwork improves performance without security trade-offs, or that running as root is acceptable for legacy apps, but the CKS exam expects strict adherence to least privilege and namespace isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Kubernetes uses Linux namespaces (e.g., PID, network) to isolate containers; disabling hostPID and hostNetwork ensures each container gets its own PID and network namespace, preventing cross-container or host visibility. In a real-world scenario, a compromised container with hostNetwork could perform ARP spoofing or bind to a privileged port on the host, enabling lateral movement. The CIS Kubernetes Benchmark explicitly recommends setting `hostPID: false` and `hostNetwork: false` in PodSecurityPolicy or admission controllers.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
System Hardening — This question tests System Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Minimize host access from containers (e.g., disable hostPID, hostNetwork) — Option A is correct because disabling hostPID and hostNetwork prevents containers from accessing the host's process namespace and network stack, which would otherwise allow privilege escalation or network sniffing. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and reduces the node's attack surface by isolating container workloads from the host OS.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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