CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
During a threat modeling exercise using the STRIDE methodology, a security analyst identifies a threat where an attacker can modify data in transit between a web server and database. Which STRIDE category does this threat belong to?
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
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Tampering
Tampering involves unauthorized modification of data, which is the 'T' in STRIDE.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Repudiation covers a party denying having performed an action, typically addressed through logging and non-repudiation controls; the stem describes modification of data in transit, which is Tampering. It is tempting because in-transit attacks can leave ambiguous audit trails, and Repudiation would be correct if the concern were denying that a transaction occurred.
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Tampering
Why this is correct
Tampering covers unauthorised modification of data or systems, including data altered in transit between web server and database. The threat's defining characteristic is integrity violation through modification, not interception or disclosure, which would fall under Information Disclosure.
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Spoofing
Why it's wrong here
Spoofing covers impersonating a legitimate entity's identity, not altering data in transit; the stem describes modification, which is Tampering. It is tempting because man-in-the-middle attacks frequently begin with spoofed endpoints, and Spoofing would be correct if the attacker forged the server's or database's identity.
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Information Disclosure
Why it's wrong here
Information Disclosure covers exposure of data to unauthorised parties, not alteration of it; the stem describes modification, which is Tampering. It is tempting because in-transit interception is often conflated with disclosure, and Information Disclosure would be correct if the attacker merely read the database traffic without changing it.
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JA
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.