- A
SQL injection vulnerability in a web application
Why wrong: This is an application vulnerability.
- B
Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration
Correct. This is a control weakness, an operational vulnerability.
- C
Default passwords on network devices
Why wrong: This is a configuration vulnerability.
- D
Inadequate change management processes leading to unauthorized changes
Correct. This is a process gap, an operational vulnerability.
- E
Missing security patches on critical servers
Why wrong: This is a technical vulnerability, not operational.
Question 239 of 1,000
CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk identification. 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 risk practitioner is identifying vulnerabilities in an organization's IT environment. Which TWO of the following are examples of 'operational vulnerability identification'? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration
Option B is correct because lack of segregation of duties in IT administration is an operational vulnerability. It arises from inadequate processes and controls within the organization's operations, such as allowing a single administrator to both approve and execute changes, which increases the risk of unauthorized or malicious actions. This is a process-level weakness, not a technical flaw in a specific system or code.
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.
- ✗
SQL injection vulnerability in a web application
Why it's wrong here
This is an application vulnerability.
- ✓
Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration
Why this is correct
Correct. This is a control weakness, an operational vulnerability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Default passwords on network devices
Why it's wrong here
This is a configuration vulnerability.
- ✓
Inadequate change management processes leading to unauthorized changes
Why this is correct
Correct. This is a process gap, an operational vulnerability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Missing security patches on critical servers
Why it's wrong here
This is a technical vulnerability, not operational.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse technical vulnerabilities (like SQL injection or missing patches) with operational vulnerabilities, failing to distinguish between weaknesses in technology configurations versus weaknesses in processes and controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Operational vulnerabilities stem from weaknesses in processes, procedures, or human behaviors rather than in technology itself. For example, lack of segregation of duties violates the principle of least privilege and can be mapped to control failures in frameworks like COBIT or NIST SP 800-53 (e.g., AC-5). In a real-world scenario, a single IT admin with both change approval and execution rights could bypass change management logs, making audit trails unreliable and increasing insider threat risk.
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 practitioner preparing for the CRISC exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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 CRISC question test?
IT Risk Identification — This question tests IT Risk Identification — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Lack of segregation of duties in IT administration — Option B is correct because lack of segregation of duties in IT administration is an operational vulnerability. It arises from inadequate processes and controls within the organization's operations, such as allowing a single administrator to both approve and execute changes, which increases the risk of unauthorized or malicious actions. This is a process-level weakness, not a technical flaw in a specific system or code.
What should I do if I get this CRISC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Jul 4, 2026
This CRISC 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 CRISC exam.
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