CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
A security analyst is using Nessus to scan a network. The scan completes and reports a vulnerability with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 and vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. The vulnerability is a low-information disclosure issue that reveals the server's internal IP address in HTTP headers. The asset is a public-facing web server. Which of the following best describes the risk level and appropriate response?
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
✓
Medium risk; schedule a configuration change to remove the header during the next maintenance window.
The CVSS score is 5.3 (Medium) with low impact on confidentiality and no impact on integrity or availability. Although it is a public-facing server, the risk is low because the information disclosed is minimal (internal IP), which may already be known or easily guessable. The appropriate response is to schedule remediation during normal maintenance, not an emergency.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Low risk; no action needed because internal IP disclosure is not a vulnerability.
Why it's wrong here
Internal IP address disclosure is indeed a vulnerability because it aids attackers in reconnaissance and mapping the internal network topology. Dismissing it entirely and taking no action violates standard security policies, which require remediation or mitigation of identified information disclosure issues to maintain a strong defense-in-depth posture.
- ✗
Critical risk because the server is public-facing; immediate patching is required.
Why it's wrong here
While public-facing exposure increases the likelihood of discovery, an internal IP disclosure does not allow for remote code execution or direct compromise, meaning it does not warrant a critical risk rating. Furthermore, correcting this issue typically involves a simple web server configuration adjustment rather than deploying an emergency software patch.
- ✓
Medium risk; schedule a configuration change to remove the header during the next maintenance window.
Why this is correct
Disclosing internal IP addresses in HTTP headers is typically classified as a medium-risk vulnerability that facilitates external reconnaissance. Remediation involves modifying the web server configuration to prevent the disclosure, which is a non-emergency change that should be scheduled during a standard maintenance window to avoid service disruption.
- ✗
High risk due to public exposure; apply an emergency patch to hide the header.
Why it's wrong here
This vulnerability does not pose a high risk because it only leaks metadata about the internal network structure without granting unauthorized access. Because the impact is limited to information disclosure, initiating emergency change management procedures to apply a patch is an inappropriate, high-overhead response for a configuration-based issue.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Breach Incident Response
Key term
Remediation
Remediation is the process of fixing or eliminating vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or security weaknesses in an IT environment.
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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