hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CAS-004 CI/CD vulnerability scanning Practice Question
A DevOps team is implementing a CI/CD pipeline for a Java application. They want to ensure that all dependencies are scanned for known vulnerabilities before deployment. Which type of tool should they integrate into the pipeline?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CAS-004 exam often tests the distinction between SAST (source code analysis) and SCA (dependency analysis), so the trap here is that candidates mistakenly choose SAST because they think 'static' covers all pre-deployment scanning, but SAST does not analyze third-party libraries.
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
✓
Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is the correct tool because it specifically analyzes open-source and third-party libraries (dependencies) for known vulnerabilities by cross-referencing them against databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). In a CI/CD pipeline for a Java application, SCA tools (e.g., OWASP Dependency-Check, Snyk) scan build artifacts such as pom.xml or build.gradle to identify vulnerable components before deployment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
Why it's wrong here
SAST analyzes source code for security flaws, not third-party libraries.
- ✗
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
Why it's wrong here
DAST tests running applications for vulnerabilities, not dependencies.
- ✗
Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)
Why it's wrong here
IAST combines SAST and DAST but still focuses on custom code, not dependencies.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The CAS-005 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Software Composition Analysis (SCA)Correct answer▾
✗Static Application Security Testing (SAST)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SAST analyzes source code for security flaws, not third-party libraries.
✗Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DAST tests running applications for vulnerabilities, not dependencies.
✗Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
IAST combines SAST and DAST but still focuses on custom code, not dependencies.
Analysis generated from the official CAS-005blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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About these practice questions
One of 968 original CAS-005 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.