CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of vulnerability management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated.. 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 legacy system cannot be patched because the vendor no longer supports the application. What should the vulnerability manager request? For control selection, Which control best addresses the stated weakness without hiding risk?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Documented risk acceptance with compensating controls and a migration/remediation plan
When a legacy system cannot be patched due to vendor end-of-life, the vulnerability manager must formally document the risk acceptance, implement compensating controls (e.g., network segmentation, host-based firewall rules, or application whitelisting), and create a migration or remediation plan to eventually retire or replace the system. This approach transparently acknowledges the residual risk rather than hiding it, aligning with the principle of risk treatment as defined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27005.
Key principle: Risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Mark the vulnerability as fixed
Why it's wrong here
It is not fixed if the vulnerable condition remains.
✓
Documented risk acceptance with compensating controls and a migration/remediation plan
Why this is correct
Unsupported systems need formal exception handling, mitigation, ownership, and an exit path.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated.
✗
Remove the system from future reports
Why it's wrong here
Suppressing visibility hides unmanaged risk.
✗
Give all users local admin rights
Why it's wrong here
Extra privileges increase risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that removing a system from reports or marking it as fixed is an acceptable shortcut, when in fact the correct process requires formal risk acceptance with compensating controls and a documented plan.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In practice, compensating controls for an unpatched legacy system might include deploying a virtual patching solution (e.g., via an IPS/IDS with custom signatures), isolating the system on a separate VLAN with strict ACLs, or using a reverse proxy to filter malicious traffic. The documented risk acceptance should include a specific expiration date or trigger event (e.g., 'system must be migrated by Q4') to ensure the risk is not indefinitely deferred. The vulnerability manager should also track the compensating control effectiveness via periodic validation scans or manual checks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated.
Compensating controls mitigate risk when direct patching is impossible.
A migration/remediation plan outlines the long-term solution for the vulnerability.
Formal documentation ensures accountability and transparency in risk management.
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
Risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CS0-003 question in full detail.
Review risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — Risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Documented risk acceptance with compensating controls and a migration/remediation plan — When a legacy system cannot be patched due to vendor end-of-life, the vulnerability manager must formally document the risk acceptance, implement compensating controls (e.g., network segmentation, host-based firewall rules, or application whitelisting), and create a migration or remediation plan to eventually retire or replace the system. This approach transparently acknowledges the residual risk rather than hiding it, aligning with the principle of risk treatment as defined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27005.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Review risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated., 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?
Risk acceptance acknowledges a vulnerability that cannot be immediately remediated.
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Question Discussion
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