- A
A low-severity finding on an internal test server with no network access
Why wrong: An isolated low-severity issue is less urgent than a critical flaw exposed to the internet.
- B
A critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance with known exploit code
This finding is both severe and exposed, which makes exploitation much more likely and business impact potentially high.
- C
A cosmetic configuration warning on a printer management interface
Why wrong: A cosmetic warning is not as urgent as a critical vulnerability on a remote-access device.
- D
A medium-severity issue on a device that is powered off and not in service
Why wrong: A powered-off, unused device presents far less immediate risk than a live internet-facing appliance.
Question 366 of 1,152
SY0-701 Risk Prioritization 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. A key principle to apply: risk Prioritization. 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 vulnerability scan finds a critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance and says public exploit code is already available. Which issue should be remediated first?
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
✓
A critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance with known exploit code
The critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance with known public exploit code represents the highest risk because it combines a severe vulnerability, direct exposure to the internet, and immediate weaponization potential. VPN appliances are common attack vectors for initial access, and an exploit in the wild means attackers can compromise the device without advanced skills, leading to potential network breach and lateral movement.
Key principle: Risk Prioritization
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A low-severity finding on an internal test server with no network access
Why it's wrong here
An isolated low-severity issue is less urgent than a critical flaw exposed to the internet.
- ✓
A critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance with known exploit code
Why this is correct
This finding is both severe and exposed, which makes exploitation much more likely and business impact potentially high.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Risk Prioritization
- ✗
A cosmetic configuration warning on a printer management interface
Why it's wrong here
A cosmetic warning is not as urgent as a critical vulnerability on a remote-access device.
- ✗
A medium-severity issue on a device that is powered off and not in service
Why it's wrong here
A powered-off, unused device presents far less immediate risk than a live internet-facing appliance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may prioritize by severity alone without factoring in exploitability, exposure, or asset criticality—leading them to choose a medium or low finding that is technically less urgent but appears more manageable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPN appliances often terminate IPsec or SSL/TLS tunnels and handle authentication, making them prime targets for remote code execution (RCE) exploits. Public exploit code lowers the barrier to entry, enabling script kiddies and automated scanners to compromise the device. In a real-world scenario, an unpatched VPN appliance with a known CVE (e.g., CVE-2023-46805 in Ivanti Connect Secure) has been used in mass exploitation campaigns, leading to full network compromise.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Risk Prioritization
- Internet-facing Systems
- Known Exploit Code
- VPN Appliance
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
Risk Prioritization
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.
Review risk Prioritization, then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Risk Prioritization.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance with known exploit code — The critical flaw on an internet-facing VPN appliance with known public exploit code represents the highest risk because it combines a severe vulnerability, direct exposure to the internet, and immediate weaponization potential. VPN appliances are common attack vectors for initial access, and an exploit in the wild means attackers can compromise the device without advanced skills, leading to potential network breach and lateral movement.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Review risk Prioritization, then practise related SY0-701 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
Risk Prioritization
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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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