- A
Require developers to manually check their images and update base images
Why wrong: Manual processes are inconsistent and not enforceable.
- B
Implement a webhook in Harbor to automatically scan all images upon push and block vulnerable images from being pulled
Why wrong: Scanning after push allows vulnerable images into the registry; blocking pulls may still leave images present.
- C
Configure Jenkins to run Trivy scans on each built image and fail the pipeline if vulnerabilities exceed a defined threshold, and only allow images that pass to be pushed to the production registry
This integrates security into the CI/CD pipeline, ensuring only compliant images are deployed.
- D
Use Kubernetes PodSecurity admission to block containers with high-severity vulnerabilities
Why wrong: PodSecurity does not evaluate vulnerability scores; it enforces pod-level security contexts.
Quick Answer
The correct action is to configure Jenkins to run Trivy scans on each built image and fail the pipeline if vulnerabilities exceed a defined threshold, only allowing images that pass to be pushed to the production registry. This approach embeds container image vulnerability scanning directly into the CI/CD pipeline, ensuring that every image is automatically assessed for known vulnerabilities before it ever reaches production. By failing the build on excessive CVEs, the security team enforces a policy-driven gate that prevents insecure containers from being deployed, addressing the inconsistency of manual base image updates. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DevSecOps integration—specifically how to shift security left by automating vulnerability scanning within the build process. A common trap is choosing a registry-level control like a Harbor webhook, which only blocks pulls after the image is already stored, or relying on Kubernetes PodSecurity, which cannot assess vulnerability severity. Memory tip: think “scan before you store, fail before you deploy.”
CAS-004 Practice Question: Application Environment, Configuration and Security
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of application environment, configuration and security. 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 company uses a microservices architecture with Docker containers orchestrated by Kubernetes. Developers push code to a Git repository, which triggers a CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins. The pipeline builds Docker images and pushes them to a private registry (Harbor). Recently, a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-XXXX) was discovered in the base image of several containers. The security team wants to ensure that only images that pass vulnerability scans are deployed to production. The pipeline currently builds and pushes images without any security check. Developers are responsible for updating base images, but this has been inconsistent. Which action should the security team take?
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
Configure Jenkins to run Trivy scans on each built image and fail the pipeline if vulnerabilities exceed a defined threshold, and only allow images that pass to be pushed to the production registry
Option A is correct because integrating vulnerability scanning into the pipeline ensures each image is scanned before deployment, and failing the build on excessive vulnerabilities prevents insecure images from reaching production. Option B (Harbor webhook) would block pulls but images are already in the registry; Option C (PodSecurity) cannot assess vulnerability severity; Option D (manual updates) is inconsistent and does not enforce policy.
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.
- ✗
Require developers to manually check their images and update base images
Why it's wrong here
Manual processes are inconsistent and not enforceable.
- ✗
Implement a webhook in Harbor to automatically scan all images upon push and block vulnerable images from being pulled
Why it's wrong here
Scanning after push allows vulnerable images into the registry; blocking pulls may still leave images present.
- ✓
Configure Jenkins to run Trivy scans on each built image and fail the pipeline if vulnerabilities exceed a defined threshold, and only allow images that pass to be pushed to the production registry
Why this is correct
This integrates security into the CI/CD pipeline, ensuring only compliant images are deployed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Kubernetes PodSecurity admission to block containers with high-severity vulnerabilities
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurity does not evaluate vulnerability scores; it enforces pod-level security contexts.
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 CAS-004 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 CAS-004 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.
- →
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAS-004 question test?
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — This question tests Application Environment, Configuration and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure Jenkins to run Trivy scans on each built image and fail the pipeline if vulnerabilities exceed a defined threshold, and only allow images that pass to be pushed to the production registry — Option A is correct because integrating vulnerability scanning into the pipeline ensures each image is scanned before deployment, and failing the build on excessive vulnerabilities prevents insecure images from reaching production. Option B (Harbor webhook) would block pulls but images are already in the registry; Option C (PodSecurity) cannot assess vulnerability severity; Option D (manual updates) is inconsistent and does not enforce policy.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which CAS-004 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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CAS-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-004 exam.
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