KCSA Kubernetes Threat Model Practice Question
A security auditor reviews a Kubernetes cluster threat model and identifies that the Kubelet API on port 10250 permits unauthenticated requests if not configured properly. What authentication and authorization mode should be enforced on the Kubelet to prevent unauthorized remote code execution?
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
✓
Kubelet Authentication Mode set to Webhook and Authorization Mode set to Webhook
Kubelet authentication should be set to Webhook mode, and authorization should also be set to Webhook mode so that Kubelet delegates access decisions back to the Kubernetes API server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enforcing Basic HTTP Authentication headers in kubelet configuration files
Why it's wrong here
Basic authentication is deprecated, insecure, and disabled in modern Kubernetes distributions.
- ✗
Disabling the Kubelet API entirely by turning off port 10250
Why it's wrong here
Disabling port 10250 breaks core control plane functions such as metrics collection, pod logs, and exec capabilities.
- ✗
Enabling anonymous requests with strict NetworkPolicy egress rules
Why it's wrong here
Anonymous requests allow unauthenticated callers to interact with node endpoints if network paths exist.
- ✓
Kubelet Authentication Mode set to Webhook and Authorization Mode set to Webhook
Why this is correct
Webhook authentication and authorization allow the Kubelet to use the API server to verify client tokens and check if the caller has permissions for actions like exec or logs.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official CNCF / Linux Foundation exam blueprint
This KCSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF / Linux Foundation 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 KCSA exam.