- A
Accept the risk due to compensating controls.
The WAF mitigates the vulnerability, so risk acceptance is appropriate with documentation.
- B
Disable the WAF to test the vulnerability.
Why wrong: Disabling the WAF would expose the server unnecessarily.
- C
Immediately patch the server during business hours.
Why wrong: Patching during business hours may cause downtime; the WAF provides protection.
- D
Run an uncredentialed scan to confirm the vulnerability.
Why wrong: An uncredentialed scan might not provide more accurate results; the vulnerability is already confirmed.
Question 170 of 1,000
CS0-003 Security Operations Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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 report shows a critical vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 on a web server. However, the server is only accessible from internal IP addresses and is protected by a Web Application Firewall (WAF) that blocks the attack vector. Which of the following should the analyst recommend?
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
✓
Accept the risk due to compensating controls.
Compensating controls like a WAF that effectively blocks the attack reduce the risk. While patching is ideal, the vulnerability may not be immediately exploitable due to the WAF.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Accept the risk due to compensating controls.
Why this is correct
The WAF mitigates the vulnerability, so risk acceptance is appropriate with documentation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable the WAF to test the vulnerability.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the WAF would expose the server unnecessarily.
- ✗
Immediately patch the server during business hours.
Why it's wrong here
Patching during business hours may cause downtime; the WAF provides protection.
- ✗
Run an uncredentialed scan to confirm the vulnerability.
Why it's wrong here
An uncredentialed scan might not provide more accurate results; the vulnerability is already confirmed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which CS0-003 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Accept the risk due to compensating controls. — Compensating controls like a WAF that effectively blocks the attack reduce the risk. While patching is ideal, the vulnerability may not be immediately exploitable due to the WAF.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Identify which CS0-003 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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