200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
An organization is reviewing its exposure to attack surface. A security architect notes that employees routinely install browser extensions from unapproved sources, and several internal web applications accept unsanitized input. Which concept do these findings primarily describe?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is focusing on the browser extensions as a social engineering issue, when the combined findings describe exploitable vulnerabilities that widen the attack surface.
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
✓
Vulnerabilities that expand the attack surface and may be exploited by threat actors
The findings are vulnerabilities that enlarge the attack surface. Unsanitized input enables injection flaws, and unapproved extensions introduce untrusted code with broad browser privileges. Both give threat actors additional entry points and increase the likelihood of compromise. Reducing the attack surface requires application input validation, extension allowlisting, and endpoint policy enforcement, which directly address the weaknesses identified.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Vulnerabilities that expand the attack surface and may be exploited by threat actors
Why this is correct
Unsanitized input creates injection vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting, and unapproved browser extensions add untrusted code to endpoints. Together these weaknesses enlarge the attack surface, giving threat actors more paths to exploit. The architect's findings describe exploitable vulnerabilities rather than a specific attack technique or a compliance gap.
- ✗
A compliance violation of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS does address secure coding and endpoint controls, but the scenario does not state that cardholder data is processed or that a specific requirement was breached. The architect is describing technical weaknesses that broaden exposure, not documenting a particular regulatory or contractual noncompliance finding.
- ✗
A social engineering campaign targeting employees through malicious extensions
Why it's wrong here
Social engineering relies on manipulating people into performing actions or divulging information. The scenario describes employees installing extensions from unapproved sources and applications accepting unsanitized input, which are technical weaknesses, not a coordinated deception campaign aimed at employees.
- ✗
A denial-of-service condition caused by excessive extension usage
Why it's wrong here
Denial of service occurs when resources are exhausted so legitimate users cannot access a service. The findings describe weaknesses that could be exploited in various ways, including injection attacks, but nothing in the scenario indicates resource exhaustion or service unavailability, so a denial-of-service characterization is not supported.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-201 exam.