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.
You run 'kube-bench' on a cluster node and get a failure for the test 'Ensure that the --anonymous-auth argument is set to false' (ID: 1.2.1). Which file do you need to modify to fix this issue?
/etc/kubernetes/kubelet.conf
Why wrong: This is the kubelet configuration file, not the API server manifest.
/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml
This is the static pod manifest for the API server in kubeadm clusters.
/etc/kubernetes/pki/
Why wrong: This directory contains certificates, not API server configuration.
/var/lib/kubelet/config.yaml
Why wrong: This file configures the kubelet, not the API server.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml
The kube-bench test ID 1.2.1 checks the kube-apiserver configuration for the `--anonymous-auth` flag. The API server is a static pod managed by the kubelet, and its configuration is defined in the manifest file `/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml`. To fix the failure, you must edit this file to set `--anonymous-auth=false`.
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.
/etc/kubernetes/kubelet.conf
Why it's wrong here
This is the kubelet configuration file, not the API server manifest.
/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml
Why this is correct
This is the static pod manifest for the API server in kubeadm clusters.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/etc/kubernetes/pki/
Why it's wrong here
This directory contains certificates, not API server configuration.
/var/lib/kubelet/config.yaml
Why it's wrong here
This file configures the kubelet, not the API server.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the kubelet configuration file (`/var/lib/kubelet/config.yaml`) with the API server manifest, but the `--anonymous-auth` flag is specific to the API server, not the kubelet.
Detailed technical explanation
The `--anonymous-auth` flag on the kube-apiserver controls whether anonymous requests (those with no authentication credentials) are allowed. When set to `false`, the API server returns a 401 Unauthorized for unauthenticated requests, which is a critical security hardening step. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could exploit anonymous access to enumerate API resources or perform unauthorized actions if this flag is left as the default `true`.
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.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Cluster Setup and Hardening practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CKS questions
997 questions across all exam domains
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist CKS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CKS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CKS questions linked to Monitoring Logging and Runtime Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Setup and Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to System Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities.
Practise CKS questions linked to Supply Chain Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Setup.
Practise CKS questions linked to Cluster Hardening.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS fundamentals.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS scenario.
Practise CKS questions linked to CKS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: /etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml — The kube-bench test ID 1.2.1 checks the kube-apiserver configuration for the `--anonymous-auth` flag. The API server is a static pod managed by the kubelet, and its configuration is defined in the manifest file `/etc/kubernetes/manifests/kube-apiserver.yaml`. To fix the failure, you must edit this file to set `--anonymous-auth=false`.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.