The correct answer is that an internal SQL server is exposed to the internet and may be probed for vulnerabilities. This IDS alert flags an inbound connection attempt to TCP port 1433 from an external IP address, which is the default port for Microsoft SQL Server. The technical concept here is that any unsolicited external traffic to a database port directly indicates a security misconfiguration—the server should not be reachable from the internet, as it invites probing for weak credentials or unpatched flaws. On the CRISC exam, this tests your ability to map a technical control failure (an IDS alert) to a specific risk scenario, not to jump to later-stage consequences like data exfiltration. A common trap is to choose “data breach” or “malware infection,” but the alert itself most immediately signals exposure and probing, not the outcome. Memory tip: “Port 1433 equals database exposure—don’t skip the root cause for the effect.”
CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk identification. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
=== IDS Alert ===
Timestamp: 2024-01-10 09:45:22
Signature ID: 2100498
Signature Name: ET POLICY Suspicious Inbound to MSSQL Port
Source IP: 203.0.113.5
Destination IP: 192.168.10.50
Destination Port: 1433
Protocol: TCP
Alert Severity: High
=== End of Alert ===
Refer to the exhibit. During a risk identification review, the risk manager sees this IDS alert. What risk does this alert MOST directly indicate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An internal SQL server is exposed to the internet and may be probed for vulnerabilities.
The IDS alert indicates an inbound connection attempt to TCP port 1433 (Microsoft SQL Server) from an external IP address. This directly suggests that an internal SQL server is exposed to the internet, which is a security misconfiguration that allows external entities to probe for vulnerabilities, such as weak credentials or unpatched flaws. While data exfiltration or malware could be subsequent outcomes, the alert itself most immediately signals the exposure and probing risk.
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.
✗
Sensitive data is being exfiltrated from the SQL server.
Why it's wrong here
Alert is for suspicious inbound, not outbound data transfer.
✗
A malware infection is spreading across the network.
Why it's wrong here
No indication of malware; it's a probe.
✗
The organization is under a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
Why it's wrong here
Single alert, not DDoS.
✓
An internal SQL server is exposed to the internet and may be probed for vulnerabilities.
Why this is correct
Alert shows external IP probing internal MSSQL server, indicating internet exposure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may conflate a single IDS alert indicating exposure with a full-blown attack outcome (exfiltration, malware, DDoS), rather than recognizing that the alert most directly signals the underlying misconfiguration risk of internet-facing internal services.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TCP port 1433 is the default listener port for Microsoft SQL Server, and exposing it to the internet is a common misconfiguration that attackers scan for using tools like Nmap or Shodan. The IDS alert likely triggered on a signature matching an inbound SYN packet to port 1433, which is a basic reconnaissance technique (e.g., a port scan). In a real-world scenario, this could lead to brute-force attacks against the SQL Server's 'sa' account or exploitation of vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-0618, making the exposure risk the primary concern.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
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: An internal SQL server is exposed to the internet and may be probed for vulnerabilities. — The IDS alert indicates an inbound connection attempt to TCP port 1433 (Microsoft SQL Server) from an external IP address. This directly suggests that an internal SQL server is exposed to the internet, which is a security misconfiguration that allows external entities to probe for vulnerabilities, such as weak credentials or unpatched flaws. While data exfiltration or malware could be subsequent outcomes, the alert itself most immediately signals the exposure and probing risk.
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.
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Question Discussion
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