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. 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.
A security analyst is conducting a vulnerability assessment of a web application. The assessment reveals that the application is vulnerable to SQL injection. Which of the following is the MOST effective remediation?
Upgrade the web application framework to the latest version
Why wrong: This may not fix the custom SQL injection flaw.
Deploy a web application firewall (WAF)
Why wrong: WAF is a control, not a permanent fix in the code.
Use parameterized queries in the application code
Parameterized queries eliminate SQL injection vulnerabilities.
Implement client-side input validation
Why wrong: Client-side validation is easily bypassed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use parameterized queries in the application code
Parameterized queries (also known as prepared statements) are the most effective remediation for SQL injection because they separate SQL logic from user-supplied data by using placeholders. The database engine treats the input strictly as data, not executable code, which prevents an attacker from altering the query structure. This addresses the root cause at the application layer, unlike other controls that only mitigate or detect the attack.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Upgrade the web application framework to the latest version
Why it's wrong here
This may not fix the custom SQL injection flaw.
Deploy a web application firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
WAF is a control, not a permanent fix in the code.
Use parameterized queries in the application code
Why this is correct
Parameterized queries eliminate SQL injection vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Implement client-side input validation
Why it's wrong here
Client-side validation is easily bypassed.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a WAF is a sufficient fix for SQL injection, but the trap here is that a WAF is a compensating control, not a remediation—the question asks for the 'most effective remediation,' which must address the root cause in the code.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, parameterized queries use a database-specific protocol (e.g., the PostgreSQL extended query protocol or MySQL prepared statement protocol) where the SQL statement is compiled with placeholders, and the actual values are sent separately as parameters. This ensures that even if a user inputs something like '; DROP TABLE users; --', the database treats it as a literal string, not as SQL syntax. In a real-world scenario, a WAF might miss a time-based blind SQL injection using heavy queries, but parameterized queries eliminate the injection vector entirely.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use parameterized queries in the application code — Parameterized queries (also known as prepared statements) are the most effective remediation for SQL injection because they separate SQL logic from user-supplied data by using placeholders. The database engine treats the input strictly as data, not executable code, which prevents an attacker from altering the query structure. This addresses the root cause at the application layer, unlike other controls that only mitigate or detect the attack.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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