The answer is that the most critical security risk is the Lambda having full IAM management capabilities. This is because the policy grants iam:* on all resources, which means the execution role can create, modify, or delete IAM users, roles, and policies at will. Such broad permissions violate the principle of least privilege and open the door to privilege escalation, where a compromised Lambda could grant itself or an attacker administrative access, or even destroy critical IAM resources. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this scenario tests your ability to spot overly permissive wildcard policies in serverless architectures—a common trap is focusing on Lambda-specific actions like invoke or logs, while ignoring the IAM actions that enable lateral movement. Remember the memory tip: “IAM wildcard is a privilege escalation hazard.”
CAS-004 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Lambda has full IAM management capabilities
The policy grants full IAM management capabilities (iam:*) on all resources, allowing the Lambda to create, modify, or delete IAM resources. This could lead to privilege escalation or resource destruction.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The Lambda can invoke any other Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Invoking Lambda requires lambda:InvokeFunction, not iam actions.
✓
The Lambda has full IAM management capabilities
Why this is correct
iam:* on * allows any IAM action, including creating admin users.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
The Lambda can assume any role
Why it's wrong here
Assuming roles requires sts:AssumeRole, not iam actions.
✗
The Lambda can access any S3 bucket
Why it's wrong here
S3 access requires s3:* actions, not included here.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CAS-004 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Lambda has full IAM management capabilities — The policy grants full IAM management capabilities (iam:*) on all resources, allowing the Lambda to create, modify, or delete IAM resources. This could lead to privilege escalation or resource destruction.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CAS-004 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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