- A
Upgrade to SMB version 3.0 which has built-in signing
Why wrong: If performance is a concern, signing may still degrade performance; also the question says enabling signing is not feasible.
- B
Accept the risk and document the decision
Why wrong: Accepting risk without a compensating control is not the best practice; a control should be implemented if possible.
- C
Segment the file server into a separate VLAN with strict access controls
Network segmentation limits exposure to only necessary systems.
- D
Apply a host-based firewall rule to block SMB traffic from all sources
Why wrong: Blocking all SMB traffic would break the file server functionality.
Question 970 of 1,000
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. 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 vulnerability scan identifies a plugin output for 'SMB Signing Disabled' on a Windows server. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3 (Medium). The asset is a file server used only internally. The organization has decided not to enable SMB signing due to performance concerns. Which of the following is the BEST compensating control?
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
✓
Segment the file server into a separate VLAN with strict access controls
Since enabling SMB signing is not feasible, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to only authorized hosts reduces the attack surface.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Upgrade to SMB version 3.0 which has built-in signing
Why it's wrong here
If performance is a concern, signing may still degrade performance; also the question says enabling signing is not feasible.
- ✗
Accept the risk and document the decision
Why it's wrong here
Accepting risk without a compensating control is not the best practice; a control should be implemented if possible.
- ✓
Segment the file server into a separate VLAN with strict access controls
Why this is correct
Network segmentation limits exposure to only necessary systems.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Apply a host-based firewall rule to block SMB traffic from all sources
Why it's wrong here
Blocking all SMB traffic would break the file server functionality.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related CS0-003 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Segment the file server into a separate VLAN with strict access controls — Since enabling SMB signing is not feasible, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to only authorized hosts reduces the attack surface.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related CS0-003 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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