7.2.12 PQ
Which of the following are key areas of focus for a non-credentialed scan in a vulnerability assessment? (Select two.) -Unprivileged user access -Privileged user access -External network perimeter -Compromised user account -Internal network access
Unprivileged user access External network perimeter The following answers are correct: The external network perimeter is a key focus of a non-credentialed scan. Non-credentialed scans are often used to assess the security of the network perimeter from an external viewpoint, simulating the perspective of an attacker who does not have specific high-level permissions or total administrative access. Unprivileged user access is a key focus of a non-credentialed scan. Non-credentialed scans simulate the view that the host exposes to an unprivileged user on the network.
Which of the following are key purposes of running a credentialed scan in a vulnerability assessment? (Select two.) -Public network access -External network perimeter -Compromised user account -Unprivileged user access -Testing routines
Compromised user account Testing routines Explanation The following answers are correct: Testing routines are a key aspect of a credentialed scan. The scan is given a user account with login rights to various hosts, plus whatever other permissions are appropriate for the testing routines. This allows for a more in-depth analysis of the system. A credentialed scan simulates what an insider attack, or an attack with a compromised user account, may achieve. This is because it is given the same level of access as these potential threats.
An application security analyst at a software company is assessing a new software application before releasing it to customers. Before deciding on the BEST approach for the assessment, the analyst recalls that there are different methods of analysis to evaluate the software's security posture. The analyst wants to assess the software's running state to identify potential vulnerabilities during its execution. Considering the preference to evaluate the software in its running state and identifying vulnerabilities during execution, which type of examination should the analyst primarily rely on? -Manual penetration testing -Source code fingerprinting -Dynamic analysis -Static code review
Dynamic analysis Explanation Dynamic analysis evaluates the software application in its running state and looks for vulnerabilities during its execution, which aligns with the analyst's requirement in the scenario. Static code review evaluates the software's source code, bytecode, or application binaries without executing the software. While it is a valuable method, static code review does not meet the analyst's preference to assess the software while running. Manual penetration testing involves actively probing for vulnerabilities in a running application, but is broader than just analyzing the software's execution and can involve various techniques not limited to the software's runtime behavior. Source code fingerprinting involves snippets within files that match content in source files found in third-party components. Source code fingerprints act as identifiers of likely third-party content within the scanned file. While a valid approach, it is not the best approach for this scenario.
You are a cybersecurity analyst at a large organization. You've noticed that several third-party software packages used within your organization have not been updated in a while. What is the MOST appropriate action to take? -Inform your manager about the issue and suggest implementing automated package monitoring. -Ignore the issue as it's not your responsibility to update third-party software. -Update the software packages immediately without informing anyone -Delete the outdated software packages from the system.
Inform your manager about the issue and suggest implementing automated package monitoring. Explanation Informing your manager about the issue and suggesting the implementation of automated package monitoring is the most appropriate action. Package monitoring is associated with vulnerability identification because it tracks and assesses the security of third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies used within an organization to ensure that they are up-to-date and free from known vulnerabilities. Ignoring the issue is not the right approach. Outdated software packages can pose a security risk as they might contain known vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. Updating the software packages immediately without informing anyone is not the right approach. It's important to communicate with your team and follow the proper procedures for updating software. Deleting the outdated software packages from the system is not the right approach. These packages might be necessary for certain operations within the organization. Instead, they should be updated to the latest version.
As a cybersecurity analyst, you are tasked with identifying known vulnerabilities in the third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies used within your organization. Which of the following would be the MOST effective tool for accomplishing this task? -Software composition analysis (SCA) -National Vulnerability Database (NVD) -Intrusion detection system (IDS) -Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
National Vulnerability Database (NVD) Explanation The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is a U.S. government repository of standards-based vulnerability management data. It includes databases of security checklist references, security-related software flaws, misconfigurations, product names, and impact metrics. It is the most effective tool for identifying known vulnerabilities in third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies.
Which of the following statements about network vulnerability scanners is true? -Network vulnerability scanners can test common operating systems, desktop applications, and server applications. -Network vulnerability scanners only identify vulnerabilities but do not suggest any remediation techniques. -Network vulnerability scanners do not depend upon a database of known software and configuration vulnerabilities. -Network vulnerability scanners, such as Tenable Nessus and OpenVAS, are designed to test only servers and switches.
Network vulnerability scanners can test common operating systems, desktop applications, and server applications. Explanation Network vulnerability scanners are configured with information about known vulnerabilities and configuration weaknesses for typical network hosts. These scanners can test common operating systems, desktop applications, and server applications. This is useful for general-purpose scanning, but some types of applications might need more rigorous analysis.
Which of the following statements about vulnerability scanning is true? -Non-credentialed scans are more intrusive and provide a more in-depth analysis than credentialed scans. -Package monitoring is a critical capability in application vulnerability assessment practices as it tracks and assesses the security of third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies. -Vulnerability scanning is a process of identifying, classifying, and ignoring vulnerabilities within a system or network. -Network vulnerability scanners, such as Tenable Nessus and OpenVAS, are designed to test only servers and switches.
Package monitoring is a critical capability in application vulnerability assessment practices as it tracks and assesses the security of third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies. Explanation Package monitoring is indeed a critical capability in application vulnerability assessment practices. It tracks and assesses the security of third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies used within an organization to ensure that they are up-to-date and free from known vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit.
As a cybersecurity analyst, you are tasked with improving the security of your organization's software applications. One of your responsibilities is to ensure that all third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies used within your organization are up-to-date and free from known vulnerabilities. Which of the following would be the MOST effective tool for accomplishing this task? -National Vulnerability Database (NVD) -Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) -Software composition analysis (SCA) -Intrusion detection system (IDS)
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) Explanation A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a comprehensive list of components in a piece of software. It provides detailed information about each component, including its source, version number, and any known vulnerabilities. This makes it an effective tool for tracking and assessing the security of third-party software packages, libraries, and dependencies. Software composition analysis (SCA) tools are used to identify open source components in code and check them against known vulnerability databases. While SCA is a valuable tool in a cybersecurity toolkit, it does not provide the comprehensive, detailed list of all components in a piece of software that an SBOM does. The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is a U.S. government repository of standards-based vulnerability management data. While it is a valuable resource for identifying known vulnerabilities, it does not provide the comprehensive, detailed list of all components in a piece of software that an SBOM does. An intrusion detection system (IDS) is designed to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and issue alerts when such activity is detected. While an IDS is an important part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, it is not specifically designed to track and assess the security of third-party software packages.
You are a cybersecurity analyst at a large corporation. Your team has been tasked with conducting a vulnerability assessment of the company's internal network. You have been given the option to perform either a credentialed or non-credentialed scan. Which of the following factors would most strongly suggest that a credentialed scan is the appropriate choice for this situation? -The company has a large number of third-party applications installed on its network. -The company's network has recently been targeted by a series of external cyber attacks. -The company's IT department has recently installed a new patch management system. -The company has recently implemented a new security policy that restricts the use of administrative privileges.
The company has recently implemented a new security policy that restricts the use of administrative privileges. Explanation A credentialed scan is designed to provide a more in-depth analysis of the network, including detecting misconfigurations in security settings. If the company has recently implemented a new security policy that restricts the use of administrative privileges, a credentialed scan would be able to assess the impact of this policy and identify any potential vulnerabilities that may have been introduced.
You are a cybersecurity analyst at a financial institution. Your team has been tasked with conducting a vulnerability assessment of the company's external network perimeter. You have been given the option to perform either a credentialed or non-credentialed scan. Which of the following factors would MOST strongly suggest that a non-credentialed scan is the appropriate choice for this situation? -The company has a large number of third-party applications installed on its network. -The company's network has recently been targeted by a series of external cyber attacks. -The company's IT department has recently installed a new patch management system. -The company has recently implemented a new security policy that restricts the use of administrative privileges.
The company's network has recently been targeted by a series of external cyber attacks. Explanation A non-credentialed scan is designed to mimic the perspective of an external attacker who does not have privileged access to the network. If the company's network has recently been targeted by external cyber attacks, a non-credentialed scan would be the most appropriate choice to identify the vulnerabilities that an external attacker could potentially exploit. While third-party applications can introduce vulnerabilities, a non-credentialed scan is not specifically designed to assess these. Application vulnerability scanning would be more appropriate for this purpose. A non-credentialed scan does not require administrative privileges and therefore would not be affected by a policy that restricts the use of these privileges. A credentialed scan, which provides a more in-depth analysis of the network, would be more appropriate in this situation. While a new patch management system could potentially introduce vulnerabilities, a non-credentialed scan is not specifically designed to assess these. A patch management audit would be more appropriate for this purpose.
