- A
Immediately accept the risk and leave the server unchanged
Why wrong: Risk acceptance without validation or documentation is premature in this situation and leaves exposure unreviewed.
- B
Verify whether the vulnerable function is reachable, then apply a compensating control or schedule remediation
Risk-based remediation starts by confirming exploitability, then choosing the least disruptive control that reduces exposure.
- C
Mark the finding as a false positive and close the ticket
Why wrong: The package is present, so the finding is not automatically a false positive without further validation.
- D
Remove the server from production immediately and rebuild it from scratch
Why wrong: A full rebuild is usually excessive when the issue may be disabled and can be addressed through normal remediation planning.
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 scanner reports a critical vulnerability on an internal Linux server. The administrator confirms the vulnerable package is installed, but the affected feature is only enabled when an optional module is loaded, and that module is currently disabled. The server also requires downtime for patching. What is the best next step?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Verify whether the vulnerable function is reachable, then apply a compensating control or schedule remediation
Option B is correct because even though the vulnerable module is disabled, the administrator must first verify that the vulnerable function is not reachable through other means (e.g., via a different service or misconfiguration). If it is unreachable, applying a compensating control (like a firewall rule or SELinux policy) can mitigate risk without immediate downtime, allowing patching to be scheduled. This aligns with the principle of defense-in-depth and proper risk management.
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.
- ✗
Immediately accept the risk and leave the server unchanged
Why it's wrong here
Risk acceptance without validation or documentation is premature in this situation and leaves exposure unreviewed.
- ✓
Verify whether the vulnerable function is reachable, then apply a compensating control or schedule remediation
Why this is correct
Risk-based remediation starts by confirming exploitability, then choosing the least disruptive control that reduces exposure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Mark the finding as a false positive and close the ticket
Why it's wrong here
The package is present, so the finding is not automatically a false positive without further validation.
- ✗
Remove the server from production immediately and rebuild it from scratch
Why it's wrong here
A full rebuild is usually excessive when the issue may be disabled and can be addressed through normal remediation planning.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a disabled module means the vulnerability is automatically not exploitable, ignoring that the vulnerable code is still present and could be enabled through other vectors or misconfiguration.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Risk acceptance without validation or documentation is premature in this situation and leaves exposure unreviewed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, many Linux packages (e.g., OpenSSL, Apache modules) have features gated by runtime configuration or kernel module loading. Even if a module is disabled, the vulnerable code may still be present in memory or loadable via a crafted request (e.g., via mod_status or mod_info in Apache). A real-world scenario is the Heartbleed vulnerability (CVE-2014-0160), where the vulnerable heartbeat extension was often disabled by default but could be enabled via configuration, and scanners would still flag the installed OpenSSL version.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Verify whether the vulnerable function is reachable, then apply a compensating control or schedule remediation — Option B is correct because even though the vulnerable module is disabled, the administrator must first verify that the vulnerable function is not reachable through other means (e.g., via a different service or misconfiguration). If it is unreachable, applying a compensating control (like a firewall rule or SELinux policy) can mitigate risk without immediate downtime, allowing patching to be scheduled. This aligns with the principle of defense-in-depth and proper risk management.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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