hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISA Practice Question: The primary security concern in this architecture?
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Architecture description: The application is deployed across three tiers: web servers in DMZ, application servers in internal network, and database servers in a secured subnet. Traffic flows from web to app via HTTPS, and app to DB via port 3306.
What is the primary security concern in this architecture?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often focus on perimeter defenses (like web server exposure) or operational controls (like intrusion detection) instead of recognizing that unencrypted internal traffic between trusted tiers is a critical and often overlooked vulnerability in application architecture.
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
✓
Traffic between application and database servers is not encrypted
The primary security concern is that traffic between the application and database servers is not encrypted. In a typical three-tier web architecture, sensitive data such as authentication credentials, SQL queries, and result sets are transmitted in cleartext if TLS/SSL is not enforced between the application layer and the database layer. This exposes the data to eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks on the internal network, which is a direct violation of the principle of defense in depth and common compliance requirements like PCI DSS or HIPAA.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Traffic between application and database servers is not encrypted
Why this is correct
Sensitive data in transit should be encrypted.
- ✗
Web servers are directly accessible from the internet
Why it's wrong here
Web servers in a DMZ are expected to be internet-facing.
- ✗
Database port is exposed to application servers
Why it's wrong here
Exposure is required for connectivity; the concern is lack of encryption.
- ✗
Lack of intrusion detection
Why it's wrong here
While important, encryption is a more direct concern.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISA exam.