easyMultiple Choice
CAS-004 Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Principal": "*",
"Action": "s3:GetObject",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::mybucket/*"
}
]
}Refer to the exhibit. A security architect is reviewing this S3 bucket policy. Which of the following security concerns is MOST evident?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between a policy that allows public read access (which is a direct security risk) versus other concerns like outdated versions or missing encryption, which are not immediately evident from the policy syntax alone.
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
✓
The policy allows public read access
The policy statement includes an `Effect: Allow` with a `Principal: "*"` and an action of `s3:GetObject`, which grants public read access to all objects in the bucket. This is the most evident security concern because it allows any anonymous user on the internet to read data from the bucket, potentially exposing sensitive information.
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 policy denies all write access
Why it's wrong here
A blanket write denial is a deliberate, visible restriction rather than a security weakness, and the exhibit's actual flaw lies elsewhere. Denying writes is the intended control when a bucket should remain read-only, such as serving static public assets.
- ✓
The policy allows public read access
Why this is correct
The policy grants read access to anonymous principals, exposing bucket contents to anyone on the internet. Public read access is the most evident concern, since it directly enables unauthenticated data disclosure regardless of other policy conditions.
- ✗
The policy uses an outdated version
Why it's wrong here
The policy language version is a syntax declaration; an older version still evaluates correctly and does not by itself expose data. Version choice matters when a policy needs features introduced in a later version, not as a security exposure in the exhibit.
- ✗
The policy lacks encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is configured separately through bucket default encryption or object-level settings, not expressed in a bucket policy, so its absence cannot be read from the policy itself. Encryption requirements would be the concern when reviewing bucket configuration rather than the policy document.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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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.