Vulnerability Dissemination: Best Practices | CompTIA CySA+ Exam (CS0-002)

Identifying and Prioritizing Vulnerabilities in Cybersecurity

Question

A cybersecurity analyst is reading a daily intelligence digest of new vulnerabilities.

The type of vulnerability that should be disseminated FIRST is one that:

Answers

Explanations

Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer

A. B. C. D.

A.

The vulnerability that should be disseminated FIRST to the relevant stakeholders and IT teams is the one that enables remote code execution that is being exploited in the wild.

Option A is the correct answer because remote code execution vulnerabilities can allow attackers to take control of a system, execute arbitrary code, and potentially move laterally throughout an organization's network. If this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild, it means that attackers are using it to compromise systems and steal sensitive data, which can have severe consequences for the organization. Therefore, it is crucial to inform the relevant stakeholders immediately to take appropriate actions such as deploying patches or mitigations.

Option B refers to a vulnerability that can lead to data leakage, which is undoubtedly a concern, but if it is not currently known to be in the environment, it can be addressed in a less time-sensitive manner.

Option C refers to a proof of concept of a vulnerability that allows lateral movement, which means an attacker can move throughout the network without detection. While it is concerning, it is not as critical as a vulnerability that is currently being exploited in the wild.

Option D describes a vulnerability that affected the organization in the past but was probably contained and eradicated. This is not as critical as a current vulnerability that is being actively exploited in the wild, as the organization has likely already taken measures to address the issue.

In summary, disseminating information about a remote code execution vulnerability that is being exploited in the wild is critical, as it can have severe consequences for the organization if not addressed promptly.