KCSA Kubernetes Cluster Component Security Practice Question
An administrator wants to limit the blast radius if an attacker compromises a worker node. Which setting ensures that the kubelet does not automatically create or modify ServiceAccount tokens for pods unless explicitly requested?
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
✓
Set serviceAccountAutoMount: false or automountServiceAccountToken: false on service accounts or pod specs.
Disabling automatic service account token mounting across namespaces or via pod specs limits credential exposure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure the API server with --disable-service-accounts=true.
Why it's wrong here
This flag does not exist and would break core cluster controller communications.
- ✗
Set kubelet flag --encrypt-tokens=true.
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid kubelet flag.
- ✓
Set serviceAccountAutoMount: false or automountServiceAccountToken: false on service accounts or pod specs.
Why this is correct
Setting automountServiceAccountToken to false prevents the kubelet from projecting service account tokens into pod filesystems.
- ✗
Enable etcd encryption for service account tokens.
Why it's wrong here
While encryption at rest is good, it does not prevent tokens from being mounted inside compromised pod containers.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
About these practice questions
This KCSA question is part of Courseiva's 320-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.