CV0-004 Security Practice Question
A security team discovers that a container image used in production contains a known vulnerability in one of its base image layers. Which action should be taken to remediate this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
CV0-004 often tests the misconception that you can patch a running container to fix a vulnerability, when containers are immutable and the fix must be applied to the image and redeployed.
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
✓
Rebuild the container image using an updated base image
When a vulnerability is found in a base image layer, the correct remediation is to rebuild the container image using an updated base image that includes the patched version of the affected component. Containers are immutable, so patching a running container does not persist and does not fix the image. Rebuilding ensures the new image is free of the vulnerability and can be redeployed across the environment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Rebuild the container image using an updated base image
Why this is correct
Rebuilding with an updated base image replaces the vulnerable layer, removing the inherited flaw while preserving application code. Patching the running container alone would not remediate the image itself, so rebuilding is the correct action.
- ✗
Delete the container and recreate it from the same image
Why it's wrong here
Recreating from the same image redeploys the identical vulnerable base layer, so the vulnerability persists unchanged. It is tempting because deleting and recreating containers is the standard response to a compromised or unhealthy instance, but that restores availability rather than removing the flaw; the image itself must be rebuilt.
- ✗
Apply a security patch to the running container
Why it's wrong here
Patching a running container alters only that instance's writable layer; the vulnerable base layer remains in the image, so every restart or new replica reintroduces it. Runtime patching is tempting for quick hotfixes on a single long-lived host, but containers are immutable and remediation requires rebuilding the image from a patched base.
- ✗
Enable runtime security monitoring to detect exploitation attempts
Why it's wrong here
Runtime monitoring detects exploitation attempts but leaves the vulnerable layer present in the image, so the flaw is never removed. It is tempting because monitoring is valuable for detecting active attacks and compensating controls, yet the scenario asks for remediation, which requires rebuilding the image with a patched base layer.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This CV0-004 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 CV0-004 exam.