KCSA Kubernetes Threat Model Practice Question
An auditor is evaluating the Kubernetes control plane attack surface. Which component exposes the primary interface for cluster management and must be protected with strong authentication and authorization?
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
✓
kube-apiserver
The kube-apiserver is the core front-end of the Kubernetes control plane that exposes the REST API.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
CoreDNS
Why it's wrong here
CoreDNS provides internal cluster name resolution services.
- ✗
kube-proxy
Why it's wrong here
kube-proxy runs on worker nodes to maintain network rules for Service routing.
- ✗
kube-scheduler
Why it's wrong here
kube-scheduler assigns newly created pods to available worker nodes.
- ✓
kube-apiserver
Why this is correct
All administrative commands, manifest submissions, and internal component communications flow through the kube-apiserver.
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.