A security analyst is performing vulnerability scans on the network. The analyst installs a scanner appliance, configures the subnets to scan, and begins the scan of the network.
Which of the following would be missing from a scan performed with this configuration?
Correct Answer:
B
Registry key values would be missing from a scan performed with this configuration, as the scanner appliance would not have access to the Windows Registry of the scanned systems. The Windows Registry is a database that stores configuration settings and options for the operating system and installed applications. To scan the Registry, the scanner would need to have credentials to log in to the systems and run a local agent or script. The other items would not be missing from the scan, as they can be detected by the scanner appliance without credentials. Operating system version can be identified by analyzing service banners or fingerprinting techniques. Open ports can be discovered by performing a port scan or sending probes to common ports. IP address can be obtained by resolving the hostname or using network discovery tools. https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1112/
A security analyst detects an email server that had been compromised in the internal network. Users have been reporting strange messages in their email inboxes and unusual network traffic. Which of the following incident response steps should be performed next?
Correct Answer:
C
After detecting a compromised email server and unusual network traffic, the next step in incident response is containment, to prevent further damage or spread of the compromise. ReferencesC: ompTIA CySA+ Study Guide: Exam CS0-003, 3rd Edition, Chapter 5: Incident Response, page 197.
A company has a primary control in place to restrict access to a sensitive database. However, the company discovered an authentication vulnerability that could bypass this control. Which of the following is the best compensating control?
Correct Answer:
C
Deploying an additional layer of access controls to verify authorized individuals is the best compensating control for the authentication vulnerability that could bypass the primary control. A compensating control is a security measure that is implemented to mitigate the risk of a vulnerability or a threat when the primary control is not sufficient or feasible. A compensating control should provide a similar or greater level of protection as the primary control, and should be closely related to the vulnerability or the threat it is addressing1. In this case, the primary control is to restrict access to a sensitive database, and the vulnerability is an authentication bypass. Therefore, the best compensating control is to deploy an additional layer of access controls, such as multifactor authentication, role-based access control, or encryption, to verify the identity and the authorization of the individuals who are accessing the database. This way, the compensating control can prevent unauthorized access to the database, even if the primary control is bypassed23. Running regular penetration tests, conducting regular security awareness training, and implementing intrusion detection software are all good security practices, but they are not compensating controls for the authentication vulnerability, as they do not provide a similar or greater level of protection as the primary control, and they are not closely related to the vulnerability or the threat they are addressing. References: Compensating Controls: An Impermanent Solution to an IT … - Tripwire, What is Multifactor Authentication (MFA)? | Duo Security, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Role-Based Security, [What is a Penetration Test and How Does It Work?]
HOTSPOT
The developers recently deployed new code to three web servers. A daffy automated external device scan report shows server vulnerabilities that are failure items according to PCI DSS.
If the venerability is not valid, the analyst must take the proper steps to get the scan clean. If the venerability is valid, the analyst must remediate the finding.
After reviewing the information provided in the network diagram, select the STEP 2 tab to
complete the simulation by selecting the correct Validation Result and Remediation Action for each server listed using the drop-down options.
INTRUCTIONS:
The simulation includes 2 steps.
Step1:Review the information provided in the network diagram and then move to the STEP 2 tab.
STEP 2: Given the Scenario, determine which remediation action is required to address the vulnerability.
Solution:
Does this meet the goal?
Correct Answer:
A
An analyst has received an IPS event notification from the SIEM stating an IP address, which is known to be malicious, has attempted to exploit a zero-day vulnerability on several web servers. The exploit contained the following snippet:
/wp-json/trx_addons/V2/get/sc_layout?sc=wp_insert_user&role=administrator
Which of the following controls would work best to mitigate the attack represented by this snippet?
Correct Answer:
A
Limiting user creation to administrators only would work best to mitigate the attack represented by this snippet. The snippet shows an attempt to exploit a zero-day vulnerability in the ThemeREX Addons WordPress plugin, which allows remote code execution by invoking arbitrary PHP functions via the REST-API endpoint /wp- json/trx_addons/V2/get/sc_layout. In this case, the attacker tries to use the wp_insert_user function to create a new administrator account on the WordPress site12. Limiting user creation to administrators only would prevent the attacker from succeeding, as they would need to provide valid administrator credentials to create a new user. This can be done by using a plugin or a code snippet that restricts user registration to administrators34. Limiting layout creation to administrators only, setting the directory trx_addons to read only for all users, and setting the directory v2 to read only for all users are not effective controls to mitigate the attack, as they do not address the core of the vulnerability, which is the lack of input validation and sanitization on the REST-API endpoint. Moreover, setting directories to read only may affect the functionality of the plugin or the WordPress site56. References: Zero-Day Vulnerability in ThemeREX Addons Now Patched - Wordfence, Mitigating Zero Day Attacks With a Detection, Prevention … - Spiceworks, How to Restrict WordPress User Registration to Specific Email …, How to Limit WordPress User Registration to Specific Domains, WordPress File Permissions: A Guide to Securing Your Website, WordPress File Permissions: What is the Ideal Setting?