- A
Update the base image to a patched version and rebuild the application image
Updating the base image and rebuilding ensures the vulnerability is removed from all layers.
- B
Use a runtime security tool to block exploitation
Why wrong: Runtime security can mitigate but does not remove the vulnerability; rebuilding is more efficient.
- C
Apply a security patch directly to the running container
Why wrong: Container images are immutable; patching a running container is not reproducible and not a best practice.
- D
Ignore the vulnerability if the application code is not affected
Why wrong: Ignoring critical vulnerabilities is not recommended; they should be patched.
Question 946 of 997
How to Fix a Critical Vulnerability in a Container Image
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of cloud native application delivery. 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.
A CI pipeline scans container images for vulnerabilities. The scan report shows a critical vulnerability in a base image layer. What is the most efficient way to remediate this issue?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the base image to a patched version and rebuild the application image
Rebuilding the image with an updated base image that includes the security fix is the standard approach to address base image vulnerabilities.
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.
- ✓
Update the base image to a patched version and rebuild the application image
Why this is correct
Updating the base image and rebuilding ensures the vulnerability is removed from all layers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a runtime security tool to block exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Runtime security can mitigate but does not remove the vulnerability; rebuilding is more efficient.
- ✗
Apply a security patch directly to the running container
Why it's wrong here
Container images are immutable; patching a running container is not reproducible and not a best practice.
- ✗
Ignore the vulnerability if the application code is not affected
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring critical vulnerabilities is not recommended; they should be patched.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the KCNA 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which KCNA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Cloud Native Application Delivery — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Cloud Native Application Delivery — This question tests Cloud Native Application Delivery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Update the base image to a patched version and rebuild the application image — Rebuilding the image with an updated base image that includes the security fix is the standard approach to address base image vulnerabilities.
What should I do if I get this KCNA question wrong?
Identify which KCNA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on KCNA
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE of the following are important security practices in a container image CI/CD pipeline?
medium- A.Hardcoding credentials in the image
- B.Running containers as root user
- ✓ C.Signing images to ensure integrity
- ✓ D.Using minimal base images to reduce attack surface
- ✓ E.Scanning images for vulnerabilities in the CI pipeline
Why C: Image scanning, signing, and using minimal base images are key security practices. Hardcoding credentials and running containers as root are anti-patterns.
Variation 2. What is the purpose of container image scanning in a CI/CD pipeline?
easy- A.To ensure the image is stored in a registry
- B.To measure the image size and optimize it
- C.To verify the image tag follows naming conventions
- ✓ D.To identify security vulnerabilities in the image
Why D: Container image scanning checks for known security vulnerabilities (e.g., CVEs) in the image layers and dependencies. This helps prevent deploying vulnerable containers into production. Option A is incorrect because storing in a registry is unrelated; scanning can occur before or after pushing. Option B is incorrect because image size and optimization are separate concerns, often handled by multi-stage builds or other tools. Option C is incorrect because naming conventions are typically enforced via policies or linting, not scanning. Option D correctly identifies the purpose of scanning: identifying security vulnerabilities.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This KCNA 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 KCNA exam.
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