- A
An exposed remote administration service
An internet-exposed management service is risky because it gives attackers a direct path to the system from outside the network.
- B
Default credentials still being in use
Default credentials are a major weakness because they are widely known and often tested early during attacks against small environments.
- C
A missing screen-lock timeout on nearby laptops
Why wrong: That is a valid hardening issue, but it is not the main server exposure described in this scenario.
- D
A lack of encrypted email attachments
Why wrong: Email encryption affects message confidentiality, but it does not address the server's exposed remote access or default password.
- E
An outdated printer driver on the finance network
Why wrong: A printer driver issue is unrelated to the exposed remote administration service and the default administrator password.
Quick Answer
The answer is default credentials still being in use and exposed Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on port 3389. These two issues are prioritized because exposed RDP default credentials create a direct, internet-accessible attack surface where attackers can launch brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks against the administrator account. Since the password has never been changed from the vendor default, an attacker only needs to guess the well-known default username and password pair to gain full administrative control over the web server. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the CompTIA risk prioritization framework, where eliminating default credentials and closing unnecessary open ports are considered immediate, high-impact actions. A common trap is to focus on patching or logging instead of these two foundational misconfigurations. Remember the memory tip: “Default door, open port—attackers will storm the fort.”
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 small business web server still allows remote administration from the internet on port 3389, and the administrator password has never been changed from the vendor default. Which two issues should the security team prioritize first? Select two.
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.
Clue:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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
An exposed remote administration service
Port 3389 is used by Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which is a remote administration service. Exposing RDP directly to the internet is a critical vulnerability because it allows attackers to perform brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks against the service. This is a high-priority issue because it provides an attack vector that can lead to full system compromise.
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.
- ✓
An exposed remote administration service
Why this is correct
An internet-exposed management service is risky because it gives attackers a direct path to the system from outside the network.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Default credentials still being in use
Why this is correct
Default credentials are a major weakness because they are widely known and often tested early during attacks against small environments.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A missing screen-lock timeout on nearby laptops
Why it's wrong here
That is a valid hardening issue, but it is not the main server exposure described in this scenario.
- ✗
A lack of encrypted email attachments
Why it's wrong here
Email encryption affects message confidentiality, but it does not address the server's exposed remote access or default password.
- ✗
An outdated printer driver on the finance network
Why it's wrong here
A printer driver issue is unrelated to the exposed remote administration service and the default administrator password.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may overlook the combination of exposed RDP and default credentials as the most urgent issues, instead focusing on a less critical physical security control like screen-lock timeout, which is not directly related to the internet-facing vulnerability.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
That is a valid hardening issue, but it is not the main server exposure described in this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) operates over TCP port 3389 and uses NLA (Network Level Authentication) for credential validation. When exposed to the internet without proper restrictions (e.g., VPN, firewall rules, or RDP gateway), attackers can use tools like Hydra or Crowbar to perform password spraying or brute-force attacks. Default credentials, such as 'admin'/'password', are often listed in public databases (e.g., CIRT.net default password lists) and can be exploited within minutes of scanning.
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: An exposed remote administration service — Port 3389 is used by Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which is a remote administration service. Exposing RDP directly to the internet is a critical vulnerability because it allows attackers to perform brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks against the service. This is a high-priority issue because it provides an attack vector that can lead to full system compromise.
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", "never". 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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