This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 TWO checks are performed by kube-bench for the master node?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Ensure that the --anonymous-auth argument is set to false
Option D is correct because kube-bench checks that the kubelet's `--anonymous-auth` argument is set to `false` to prevent unauthenticated requests from reaching the kubelet API. This is a CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommendation (e.g., 4.2.1) to enforce authentication for all kubelet requests. Setting this to false ensures that anonymous users cannot perform operations on the kubelet, reducing the attack surface.
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.
✗
Ensure that the kubelet uses the NodeRestriction admission plugin
Why it's wrong here
NodeRestriction is an API server admission plugin, not a kubelet check.
✗
Ensure that the API server uses TLS 1.2
Why it's wrong here
While important, kube-bench checks for TLS version are less common; the main checks include anonymous auth and audit log.
✗
Ensure that the container runtime is Docker
Why it's wrong here
CIS does not require a specific container runtime.
✓
Ensure that the --anonymous-auth argument is set to false
Why this is correct
This is a CIS check for the API server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Ensure that the --audit-log-path argument is set
Why this is correct
This is a CIS check for audit logging.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the distinction between kube-bench checks for the master node vs. worker node, and candidates mistakenly think kube-bench checks for container runtime type (like Docker) or TLS version specifics, when in reality kube-bench focuses on CIS benchmark items like authentication settings and audit logging.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--anonymous-auth` flag on the kubelet defaults to `true` in some Kubernetes versions, which allows unauthenticated requests to reach the kubelet's read-only and read-write endpoints. kube-bench's check (e.g., 4.2.1) verifies this flag is set to `false` in the kubelet configuration file or via command-line arguments. The `--audit-log-path` argument (option E) is checked by kube-bench to ensure audit logging is enabled for the API server, which is critical for forensic analysis and compliance with security standards like PCI-DSS or SOC 2.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ensure that the --anonymous-auth argument is set to false — Option D is correct because kube-bench checks that the kubelet's `--anonymous-auth` argument is set to `false` to prevent unauthenticated requests from reaching the kubelet API. This is a CIS Kubernetes Benchmark recommendation (e.g., 4.2.1) to enforce authentication for all kubelet requests. Setting this to false ensures that anonymous users cannot perform operations on the kubelet, reducing the attack surface.
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.
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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