- A
Network policy bypass allowing unauthorized pod communication
Why wrong: Network policies control traffic but do not directly relate to container escape risk.
- B
Potential for container escape to the host OS
Privileged mode and root access significantly increase the risk of container escape.
- C
Increased memory consumption due to lack of resource limits
Why wrong: While resource limits are important, the immediate security risk is container escape.
- D
Inability to mount volumes for persistent storage
Why wrong: Privileged mode actually allows more volume mounts, not inability.
Question 885 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Practice Question: During a security assessment of a Kubernetes…
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of ccsp exam topics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
During a security assessment of a Kubernetes cluster, you discover that a container is running as root with privileged mode enabled. Which of the following is the most critical risk associated with this configuration?
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
✓
Potential for container escape to the host OS
Running as root with privileged mode grants full host access, making container escape to the host OS highly feasible. Seccomp and AppArmor can mitigate, but the core risk is escape.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Network policy bypass allowing unauthorized pod communication
Why it's wrong here
Network policies control traffic but do not directly relate to container escape risk.
- ✓
Potential for container escape to the host OS
Why this is correct
Privileged mode and root access significantly increase the risk of container escape.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Increased memory consumption due to lack of resource limits
Why it's wrong here
While resource limits are important, the immediate security risk is container escape.
- ✗
Inability to mount volumes for persistent storage
Why it's wrong here
Privileged mode actually allows more volume mounts, not inability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CCSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Potential for container escape to the host OS — Running as root with privileged mode grants full host access, making container escape to the host OS highly feasible. Seccomp and AppArmor can mitigate, but the core risk is escape.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CCSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.
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