- A
Internet-facing SSO gateway with public exploit code and authentication-bypass impact.
This is a top-priority remediation because the system is internet-facing, has publicly available exploit code, and can lead to authentication bypass. In practice, exposure and exploitability often outweigh CVSS alone because a compromised SSO service can become a foothold for broad lateral movement and account takeover across many systems.
- B
Internal print server on an isolated VLAN with no known exploit and no sensitive data.
Why wrong: Although the CVSS score is high, the asset is isolated, has no known exploit activity, and does not store sensitive data. That lowers immediate business and attack-path risk compared with externally reachable or actively exploited systems. It should still be remediated, but not before higher-impact findings.
- C
File server containing regulated customer records, with active exploitation in the wild and VPN reachability.
This is also a top-priority item because it protects regulated data and is reachable from a remote access path. Active exploitation in the wild indicates attackers are already using the weakness, so the risk is immediate even with a lower CVSS score than some other findings. Data sensitivity, exposure, and observed exploitation together make this a high-priority fix.
- D
Lab hypervisor that is scheduled for retirement next month and used only by testers.
Why wrong: A planned retirement and limited lab use reduce the urgency, especially if there is no known active exploit. The issue should be tracked, but the short remaining lifespan and constrained exposure make it less urgent than internet-facing or actively exploited production assets.
- E
Development wiki with low severity, no exploit, and no sensitive data.
Why wrong: This is the lowest-risk item in the list because it has limited exposure and minimal business impact if compromised. It may still deserve remediation during normal maintenance, but it should not outrank systems with public exploit code, active exploitation, or regulated data.
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. 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 scan returns five findings. Which two should be remediated first based on real-world risk? Select two. A) Internet-facing SSO gateway, CVSS 8.8, public exploit code, and auth bypass impact. B) Internal print server, CVSS 9.8, no known exploit, isolated VLAN, no sensitive data. C) File server with regulated customer records, CVSS 6.5, active exploitation in the wild, reachable from VPN. D) Lab hypervisor, CVSS 7.5, no exploit, scheduled retirement next month, used only by testers. E) Dev wiki, CVSS 5.0, no exploit, no sensitive data.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Internet-facing SSO gateway with public exploit code and authentication-bypass impact.
Option A is correct because the SSO gateway is internet-facing, has a CVSS 8.8 with public exploit code, and an authentication-bypass impact. This combination means an attacker can gain unauthorized access to all federated applications without credentials, representing a critical risk that must be remediated immediately.
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.
- ✓
Internet-facing SSO gateway with public exploit code and authentication-bypass impact.
Why this is correct
This is a top-priority remediation because the system is internet-facing, has publicly available exploit code, and can lead to authentication bypass. In practice, exposure and exploitability often outweigh CVSS alone because a compromised SSO service can become a foothold for broad lateral movement and account takeover across many systems.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Internal print server on an isolated VLAN with no known exploit and no sensitive data.
Why it's wrong here
Although the CVSS score is high, the asset is isolated, has no known exploit activity, and does not store sensitive data. That lowers immediate business and attack-path risk compared with externally reachable or actively exploited systems. It should still be remediated, but not before higher-impact findings.
- ✓
File server containing regulated customer records, with active exploitation in the wild and VPN reachability.
Why this is correct
This is also a top-priority item because it protects regulated data and is reachable from a remote access path. Active exploitation in the wild indicates attackers are already using the weakness, so the risk is immediate even with a lower CVSS score than some other findings. Data sensitivity, exposure, and observed exploitation together make this a high-priority fix.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Lab hypervisor that is scheduled for retirement next month and used only by testers.
Why it's wrong here
A planned retirement and limited lab use reduce the urgency, especially if there is no known active exploit. The issue should be tracked, but the short remaining lifespan and constrained exposure make it less urgent than internet-facing or actively exploited production assets.
- ✗
Development wiki with low severity, no exploit, and no sensitive data.
Why it's wrong here
This is the lowest-risk item in the list because it has limited exposure and minimal business impact if compromised. It may still deserve remediation during normal maintenance, but it should not outrank systems with public exploit code, active exploitation, or regulated data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often prioritize the highest CVSS score (9.8) without considering compensating controls like network isolation, lack of exploit code, or data sensitivity, which can drastically reduce real-world risk.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Authentication bypass in an SSO gateway (e.g., SAML or OIDC) can allow an attacker to forge assertions or bypass token validation, granting access to all downstream applications without proper authentication. Public exploit code for such a vulnerability means that even low-skilled attackers can automate the attack, and the internet-facing nature eliminates network-based barriers. In contrast, the file server in option C, while lower CVSS (6.5), has active exploitation in the wild and contains regulated customer records, making it a high-priority target due to compliance and data breach implications.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — This question tests Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Internet-facing SSO gateway with public exploit code and authentication-bypass impact. — Option A is correct because the SSO gateway is internet-facing, has a CVSS 8.8 with public exploit code, and an authentication-bypass impact. This combination means an attacker can gain unauthorized access to all federated applications without credentials, representing a critical risk that must be remediated immediately.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
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