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Free CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 Practice Test
Prepare for the CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 exam with this free practice test. Randomly generated and customizable, this test allows you to choose the number of questions.
- Questions: 15
- Time: 15 minutes (60 seconds per question)
- Included Objectives:Security OperationsVulnerability ManagementIncident Response and ManagementReporting and Communication
During an incident response operation, a compromised server needs to be restored to a trusted state. Describe the proper action to re-image the server effectively.
Run a comprehensive antivirus program to clean the malware and then update security patches.
Install the latest operating system patches and restore system settings from a recent backup.
Perform a system restore from the compromised server's own backup files.
Erase the current system and install a pre-configured, verified clean image
Answer Description
The correct action in re-imaging a compromised server is to replace its current system image with a clean, known-good image. This involves erasing the current system to remove any potential malware or unauthorized changes and then installing a pre-configured image that is verified to be secure. Failing to use a clean image or not verifying the image can allow threats to persist. Pulling backups from the potentially compromised server or running standard antivirus software alone is insufficient.
Ask Bash
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What is a pre-configured, verified clean image?
Why is erasing the current system important before re-imaging?
What are the risks of using backup files from a compromised server?
A financial services company has recently suffered from a ransomware attack that has impacted a critical server which is not upgradable to the latest security patches due to legacy software dependencies. The incident response team is considering various options for mitigating the risk of this server being compromised again. Which of the following would be the BEST form of a compensating control given the inability to patch the server?
Implement network segmentation to isolate the critical server from the broader network.
Enforce frequent password rotation for all users with access to the critical server.
Schedule regular patching for the critical server.
Produce and store encrypted backups of the server on a bi-weekly basis.
Answer Description
Network segmentation is a compensating control that can limit the ransomware spread by isolating the critical server from the broader network, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination from other network segments. Regular patching is the primary control but is not feasible in this scenario due to legacy software constraints, making it an incorrect answer. Encrypted backups are essential, but they don't address the direct risk of the server being compromised; instead, they are more about ensuring data recovery post-incident. Similarly, frequent password rotation is a security best practice but does not effectively mitigate the specific risk of unpatched systems being exploited.
Ask Bash
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What is network segmentation and how does it work?
Why can't we just apply regular patching to the critical server?
What are the advantages of producing and storing encrypted backups?
During a code audit of a legacy application, a security analyst encounters a function that allocates an array of integers to store results from a user-supplied input. The size of the array is predetermined by a constant value, and the function failed to check if the number of inputs exceeded this size before processing. As a consequence, excess data could overwrite other memory locations. Which specific type of vulnerability is most likely being introduced in this application?
Heap Overflow
Integer Overflow
Buffer Overflow
Stack Overflow
Answer Description
The scenario described indicates the presence of a Buffer Overflow, where the buffer (in this case, an integer array) is fixed in size and not adequately checked for the volume of input supplied, allowing overflow and possible overwrite of other memory areas. A Stack Overflow is incorrect as it specifically pertains to the stack memory segment, usually involved with function call management, not general fixed-size buffer overflows. Integer Overflow deals with errors in arithmetic operations causing the integer to wrap around, which doesn't directly match the scenario presented. Heap Overflow is related to dynamic memory allocation issues in the heap segment, which is also not specified in this scenario.
Ask Bash
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What is a Buffer Overflow?
How can Buffer Overflows be prevented?
What is the difference between Stack Overflow and Buffer Overflow?
During a forensic analysis of a breached system, what is the primary purpose of creating a forensic disk image?
To increase the speed of the forensic analysis by utilizing faster storage media
To preserve the integrity of the original data by ensuring it remains unaltered
To simplify the identification of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
To automatically detect malicious files on the system
Answer Description
Creating a forensic disk image ensures that the original evidence is preserved and any analysis is performed on an exact copy. This helps maintain the integrity of the data and allows the original disk to remain unaltered. Hashing both the original and the image to make sure they match is part of this process, providing proof that the image is an identical copy.
Ask Bash
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What is a forensic disk image and how is it created?
Why is maintaining the integrity of original data important in forensic analysis?
What role does hashing play in the creation of a forensic disk image?
As a cybersecurity analyst, you discover that a critical database server is publicly accessible over the internet due to a misconfigured firewall. Which immediate action should you recommend to mitigate this vulnerability?
Reconfigure the firewall to restrict access to the database server.
Change the database server’s default administrative password.
Ensure the database server is using encrypted connections for all communications.
Install the latest security patches on the database server.
Answer Description
The correct answer is to reconfigure the firewall to restrict access to the database server. Publicly accessible database servers can be easily targeted by attackers, making it imperative to ensure that access is restricted to authorized users and systems only. Modifying other parameters such as password policies or ensuring updates are installed, while important for overall security, will not directly address the immediate threat posed by the open firewall configuration.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
Why is restricting access through the firewall so critical for database security?
What are some best practices for configuring a firewall for database servers?
How does a misconfigured firewall expose a database server to threats?
A cybersecurity analyst discovers that a company's web application does not properly sanitize user input which could allow an attacker to execute unauthorized commands or access data. Which of the following mitigation techniques should the analyst recommend to address this specific software vulnerability?
Implementing role-based access control to prevent unauthorized command execution
Using parameterized queries to prevent malicious input from being executed as part of SQL commands
Applying input length restrictions to limit the amount of data accepted by the web application
Employing encrypted channels for all data transmissions to the web application
Answer Description
Parameterized queries are a technical control that can help prevent injection flaws by separating SQL code from data. This makes it harder for an attacker to inject malicious input that could alter the execution of a SQL query. Using encrypted channels addresses the confidentiality and integrity of the data in transit, but not the injection vulnerability itself. Input length restrictions can prevent buffer overflow attacks but would not necessarily prevent injection attacks. Role-based access control is a good practice for limiting user permissions based on their role, but it does not directly mitigate the vulnerability of unsanitized user input.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What are parameterized queries and how do they work?
What is SQL injection and why is it dangerous?
What are some other techniques to mitigate unsanitized user input vulnerabilities?
When conducting vulnerability research for new threats in an application, which tool would allow for interactive debugging and is often used to analyze malware and develop exploits?
Immunity debugger
WireShark
GNU debugger (GDB)
Nessus
Answer Description
The correct answer is the Immunity debugger. This tool is specifically designed for interactive debugging and is commonly used for malware analysis and exploit development due to its ability to manipulate running processes and probe the internals of an application in real-time. It provides cybersecurity professionals with deeper insights into how an application behaves under certain conditions, potentially revealing exploitable vulnerabilities. Other options like WireShark, Nessus, and GDB have different primary uses; WireShark is a network protocol analyzer, Nessus is a vulnerability scanner, and GNU debugger (GDB) is more general-purpose and less specialized in malware analysis or exploit development than Immunity debugger.
Ask Bash
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What specific features does the Immunity debugger offer for malware analysis?
How does the Immunity debugger compare with GDB for exploit development?
What types of vulnerabilities can be discovered using the Immunity debugger?
When evaluating the effectiveness of an incident response team, which metric indicates the average amount of time it takes for the team to resolve an incident after it has been identified?
Critical vulnerabilities and zero-days
Mean time to remediate
Mean time to detect
Alert volume
Answer Description
The correct answer is 'Mean time to remediate' because it measures the average time taken to resolve an incident from the moment it is detected until it is fully remediated. 'Mean time to detect' refers to the time taken to detect an incident, and 'Alert volume' refers to the number of alerts received in a given time period, neither of which describe the resolution time frame. 'Critical vulnerabilities and zero-days' is not a time-based metric but rather a classification of vulnerabilities.
Ask Bash
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What does 'mean time to remediate' (MTTR) specifically measure?
How does mean time to detect (MTTD) differ from mean time to remediate?
Why is managing alert volume important in incident response?
What is the primary purpose of conducting root cause analysis during post-incident activities?
To analyze the effectiveness of existing security controls
To compile evidence for legal proceedings
To identify the underlying causes of the incident
To determine the immediate impact on business operations
Answer Description
The primary purpose of conducting root cause analysis during post-incident activities is to identify the underlying causes of the incident. This helps organizations implement measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Root cause analysis goes beyond the symptoms and addresses the fundamental reasons for the incident.
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What techniques are commonly used in root cause analysis?
How can root cause analysis improve incident response in the future?
What role does documentation play in root cause analysis?
What does 'scope' refer to in the process of incident response?
Determining the resources required for incident recovery.
Identifying the extent of the impact and affected systems.
Defining procedures for legal and regulatory compliance.
Establishing communication protocols within the incident response team.
Answer Description
In the context of incident response, 'scope' refers to determining the boundaries of the impact of an incident. This involves identifying the extent of the damage, the systems affected, and the potential reach of the threat. Recognizing the correct scope is vital for appropriate containment and mitigation actions.
Ask Bash
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What are the steps involved in determining the scope of an incident?
Why is understanding the scope crucial for incident containment?
What tools and techniques can help in scoping an incident?
After a significant security breach, your organization is evaluating its incident response actions. As part of a lessons learned meeting, your team is discussing improvements to the preparation phase of the incident response plan to enhance future responses. What is the MOST valuable addition to this phase to ensure more effective handling of similar incidents?
Regularly revising the disaster recovery plan.
Purchasing more advanced intrusion detection systems.
Increasing the frequency of backup operations.
Conducting regular Tabletop exercises.
Answer Description
Conducting regular Tabletop exercises ensures the incident response team is familiar with the incident response plan and is prepared to execute it effectively. During these exercises, scenarios are simulated, and the team walks through the plan step-by-step to identify any gaps or inefficiencies. This practical approach to incident response preparation can significantly improve the team's readiness and capability to respond to real incidents. Revising the disaster recovery plan might be part of overall improvements, but it is not as directly related to the immediate incident handling effectiveness as conducting regular exercises. The other options, although they might be components of an incident response plan, do not directly ensure more effective handling of future incidents.
Ask Bash
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What are Tabletop exercises and how do they work?
Why is it important to regularly revise the incident response plan?
What are other methods to prepare for incident response besides Tabletop exercises?
Asset discovery processes that specifically target and identify network boundaries and exposed services can effectively reduce an organization's attack surface.
True
False
Answer Description
This statement is accurate as edge discovery focuses on finding the outermost services and systems that are accessible, which can potentially be targeted by attackers. By identifying and securing these points, an organization can effectively manage and reduce its attack surface, therefore mitigating risks.
Ask Bash
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What is an attack surface?
What is edge discovery in cybersecurity?
How does identifying network boundaries help in reducing risks?
During the recovery phase of an incident, you must restore a group of affected systems. All machines have a recent, verified clean backup available. However, you have been informed that a persistent threat actor had previously established a foothold in the network. What is the BEST step to ensure the re-imaging process prevents the actor from regaining access to the systems?
Perform a bare-metal restore and immediately reconnect systems to the network.
Only install the latest security patches on the systems prior to re-imaging processes.
Re-image systems with the clean backup and modify default credentials and access controls before reconnection.
Integrate additional monitoring tools during the re-imaging process to increase surveillance.
Answer Description
The correct answer is 'Re-image systems with the clean backup and modify default credentials and access controls before reconnection.' In the case of a persistent threat actor, it is essential to assume that simply restoring a clean backup is insufficient if default credentials or predictable access controls remain unchanged, as the actor could potentially regain access using the same methods as before. The response encompasses not just restoration from a clean backup but also emphasizes altering access mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of the breach. 'Perform a bare-metal restore and immediately reconnect systems to the network' fails to consider that unchanged credentials can be reused by the adversary. 'Install the latest patches prior to re-imaging' is important for system security, but it does not directly thwart an actor who may have knowledge of current credentials or backdoors. 'Integrate additional monitoring tools during the re-imaging process' may help with detection of future breaches but does not necessarily impede the threat actor from accessing the systems using the same methods as before.
Ask Bash
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What are default credentials and why are they a risk?
What is a clean backup and why is it essential?
What are access controls and how do they help prevent breaches?
A member of your team receives an urgent email from what appears to be a senior executive requesting sensitive financial information. The email implies that the request is confidential and needs to be handled discreetly. What type of attack is most likely occurring?
Vishing
Phishing
Pretexting
Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Answer Description
This scenario is an example of Business Email Compromise (BEC), where attackers impersonate high-level executives or other trusted figures to manipulate employees into revealing sensitive information or making unauthorized transactions. Recognizing and preventing BEC attacks is crucial for protecting organizational assets and data.
Ask Bash
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What are some signs of a Business Email Compromise (BEC)?
How can organizations prevent BEC attacks?
What is the difference between Business Email Compromise (BEC) and phishing?
Maintaining a proper chain of custody involves documenting every person who handled a piece of evidence and the reason for the transfer.
False
True
Answer Description
Maintaining a proper chain of custody is critical for ensuring that digital evidence is admissible in legal proceedings. It involves precise documentation of every individual who handled the evidence, when it was transferred, and why. Without this documentation, the integrity and authenticity of the evidence could be challenged, potentially compromising an investigation.
Ask Bash
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What does 'chain of custody' specifically refer to in digital forensics?
Why is documentation important in maintaining chain of custody?
What could happen if the chain of custody is not maintained properly?
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