hardMultiple Choice
CRISC Practice Question: Based on the exhibit, which of the following…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Architecture description: The organization has a three-tier web application: web servers (public subnet), application servers (private subnet), and database servers (private subnet). The web servers communicate with application servers via HTTPS. Application servers query the database using SQL with embedded credentials. The database has direct internet access for remote administration via SSH, but access is restricted to a single IP address of the DBA's home office.
Based on the exhibit, which of the following poses the HIGHEST risk to the environment?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISACA often tests the misconception that 'encryption always reduces risk' or that 'public subnets are inherently dangerous,' when in reality the highest risk is exposing management interfaces (like SSH) directly to the internet, not the application-layer exposure of web servers.
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
✓
The database has a direct SSH connection from the internet
A direct SSH connection from the internet to the database server bypasses all network segmentation and firewall controls, exposing the database to brute-force attacks, credential theft, and unauthorized remote access. SSH is a management protocol, not an application protocol, and its exposure on the internet creates a direct attack surface on the most sensitive data tier, which is the highest risk to the environment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The web servers are in a public subnet
Why it's wrong here
Public subnets alone do not expose data; the database's placement and security-group reachability determine exposure. Placing web servers publicly is normal for internet-facing tiers, and would be correct where a load balancer or WAF fronts them and only 443 is open.
- ✗
The communication between web and application servers is encrypted via HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS between tiers is a mitigating control, not a risk, so it cannot be the highest. Encryption in transit would be the correct answer if the question asked which control reduces interception risk on an untrusted network segment.
- ✗
The application servers use embedded credentials to access the database
Why it's wrong here
Embedded credentials are a code-hygiene weakness, but the exhibit's highest risk stems from the database's network exposure, which permits direct access regardless of credential storage. Embedded credentials would be the answer where the database is properly segmented and only application-tier compromise is at issue.
- ✓
The database has a direct SSH connection from the internet
Why this is correct
Direct SSH exposure from the internet places the database's administrative access on a publicly reachable port, enabling brute-force, credential-stuffing and exploit attempts against a Tier-1 asset. Other findings require an internal foothold first, so this offers the shortest path to compromise.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.