- A
Wireless spectrum analysis
Why wrong: Spectrum analysis is unrelated to application dependencies.
- B
Database transaction log backups
Why wrong: Backups do not identify vulnerable libraries.
- C
Software composition analysis in the CI/CD pipeline
SCA identifies vulnerable third-party dependencies and can gate builds before release.
- D
Physical badge access reviews
Why wrong: Badge reviews do not assess software components.
CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of vulnerability management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: sCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.. 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.
A development team wants to find vulnerable open-source libraries before deployment. Which control best fits this stage? For validation, Which action should be taken before closing or downgrading the finding?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 in the CI/CD pipeline
Software composition analysis (SCA) is the correct control because it specifically scans open-source libraries and their dependencies for known vulnerabilities (CVEs) and license compliance issues. Integrating SCA into the CI/CD pipeline ensures that vulnerable libraries are identified automatically before the code is deployed, aligning with the shift-left security principle.
Key principle: SCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Wireless spectrum analysis
Why it's wrong here
Spectrum analysis is unrelated to application dependencies.
- ✗
Database transaction log backups
Why it's wrong here
Backups do not identify vulnerable libraries.
- ✓
Software composition analysis in the CI/CD pipeline
Why this is correct
SCA identifies vulnerable third-party dependencies and can gate builds before release.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
SCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.
- ✗
Physical badge access reviews
Why it's wrong here
Badge reviews do not assess software components.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between vulnerability identification (SCA) and operational controls (backups, spectrum analysis), leading candidates to confuse general security practices with the specific need for open-source library scanning.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SCA tools work by generating a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) from package manager manifests (e.g., pom.xml, package.json) and cross-referencing each component against databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) or GitHub Advisory Database. A real-world scenario is the Log4Shell vulnerability (CVE-2021-44228), where SCA in the pipeline would have flagged the vulnerable Log4j version before deployment, preventing exploitation.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.
- SCA tools integrate into CI/CD pipelines for automated scanning.
- SCA helps manage software supply chain risks by inventorying dependencies.
- SCA can gate builds or deployments if critical vulnerabilities are found.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
SCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review sCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Vulnerability Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — SCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Software composition analysis in the CI/CD pipeline — Software composition analysis (SCA) is the correct control because it specifically scans open-source libraries and their dependencies for known vulnerabilities (CVEs) and license compliance issues. Integrating SCA into the CI/CD pipeline ensures that vulnerable libraries are identified automatically before the code is deployed, aligning with the shift-left security principle.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Review sCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SCA identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party and open-source components.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CS0-003 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 CS0-003 exam.
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