CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
A vulnerability scanner reports a finding with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 and vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. What does this indicate about the vulnerability?
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
✓
It has high impact on availability
The vector shows high impact to availability (A:H) and no impact to confidentiality or integrity, so the vulnerability primarily affects availability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It has high impact on integrity
Why it's wrong here
The CVSS v3.1 vector contains I:N, which is the metric for Integrity Impact and means the vulnerability has no effect on the integrity of the system or data. A high integrity impact would require I:H, indicating that the exploit can modify or corrupt data. Therefore stating this finding has high impact on integrity misreads the vector's I component and is incorrect.
- ✗
It requires authentication to exploit
Why it's wrong here
In CVSS v3.1, the Privileges Required (PR) metric is set to N, meaning an attacker needs no privileges at all to exploit the vulnerability. The metric for authentication is not a separate item; instead, PR:N explicitly covers unauthenticated attackers. As a result, the claim that authentication is required directly contradicts the PR:N value and is false.
- ✗
It has high impact on confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
The vector's C component is N, which in the Confidentiality Impact metric means that no information is disclosed to unauthorized parties. An assertion of high confidentiality impact would only be valid if the vector included C:H, but this finding does not. Therefore the vulnerability is not rated high for confidentiality, making the statement incorrect.
- ✓
It has high impact on availability
Why this is correct
The A component of the CVSS v3.1 vector is H, which is the Availability Impact metric and indicates that the exploit can cause a total loss of availability, such as a denial of service. Unlike the C and I metrics, which are both N, the A metric is the only one rated high, so this option correctly identifies the finding's high impact on availability.
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Vulnerability Scanning Techniques
Key term
Vulnerability
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system, network, or software that could be exploited by a threat to cause harm or unauthorized access.
Key term
Vulnerability scanner
A vulnerability scanner is an automated tool that identifies security weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications by comparing their configurations and software versions against known vulnerability databases.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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