FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
A security analyst is evaluating risks to the company's network. According to the risk formula (Risk = Likelihood × Impact), which THREE of the following are considered vulnerabilities?
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
✓
Weak encryption used for data in transit
In the risk formula Risk = Likelihood × Impact, vulnerabilities are internal weaknesses or flaws that can be exploited or triggered by a threat. Option A (weak encryption for data in transit) is correct because using outdated or weak ciphers/protocols such as SSLv3, TLS 1.0, or RC4 is a configuration weakness that exposes data to interception. Option D (employees not trained to recognize phishing emails) is correct because lack of security awareness is a human vulnerability that enables social-engineering attacks like credential harvesting. Option E (unpatched software on the company's web server) is correct because missing security patches leave known CVEs exploitable, a classic technical vulnerability. Option B (a hacker attempting to guess passwords) is a threat actor/action, not a vulnerability, and Option C (a fire in the data center) is a physical threat or hazard, not a vulnerability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Weak encryption used for data in transit
Why this is correct
Weak encryption for data in transit is a technical weakness in how information is protected, making it exploitable by interception or decryption attacks. It therefore qualifies as a vulnerability under the risk formula, since it is an internal flaw that raises the likelihood of a threat succeeding.
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A hacker attempting to guess passwords
Why it's wrong here
A hacker guessing passwords is a threat actor performing an attack, not a weakness in an asset. Vulnerabilities are flaws such as unpatched software or weak authentication. It is tempting because guessing exploits a weak-password vulnerability, but the act itself is the threat event, not the vulnerability.
- ✗
A fire in the data center
Why it's wrong here
A fire is a threat event that exploits a vulnerability; it is not itself a weakness in an asset. Vulnerabilities are conditions such as absent fire suppression or unpatched systems. It is tempting because fire is a classic risk example, but it belongs on the threat side of the formula, not the vulnerability list.
- ✓
Employees not trained to recognize phishing emails
Why this is correct
Untrained employees represent a human vulnerability: their inability to recognise phishing emails makes the organisation exploitable through social engineering. This internal weakness increases the likelihood that a threat succeeds, satisfying the risk formula's vulnerability component rather than being a threat or impact itself.
- ✓
Unpatched software on the company's web server
Why this is correct
Unpatched software on the web server is a technical vulnerability — missing security updates leave known flaws exploitable by attackers. It is an internal weakness that raises the likelihood of compromise under the risk formula, distinguishing it from external threats and from impact.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.