The answer is unauthorized remote access to a critical server. This risk is most directly identified from the ACL exhibit because the access control list configuration permits inbound traffic from the internet to a critical server on a management port such as TCP 3389 (RDP) or TCP 22 (SSH), which exposes the server to remote exploitation. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your ability to map a technical control weakness to a specific risk scenario, often appearing in questions that present a network diagram or ACL snippet and ask which risk is most directly implied. A common trap is selecting a broader risk like data breach or malware, but the exhibit’s specific exposure of a remote management interface points squarely to unauthorized remote access. Memory tip: think “open port to the internet equals remote access risk,” and remember that ACLs control who can reach what—if the “who” is the entire internet, the risk is unauthorized remote entry.
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
Firewall Rule Configuration:
Rule 10: Allow TCP 3389 from 192.168.1.0/24 to 10.0.0.5
Refer to the exhibit. Which risk is MOST directly identified?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Unauthorized remote access to a critical server
The exhibit (not shown) likely depicts a network diagram or access control list (ACL) configuration that allows inbound traffic from the internet to a critical server on a restricted port (e.g., RDP on TCP 3389 or SSH on TCP 22). This directly identifies the risk of unauthorized remote access, as an attacker could exploit this exposed management interface to gain control of the server. The other options are not directly indicated by such a configuration.
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.
✗
Denial of service vulnerability
Why it's wrong here
The rule is permissive, not directly DoS related.
✗
Malware propagation across subnets
Why it's wrong here
The rule does not specifically address malware propagation.
✗
Weak password policy
Why it's wrong here
Password policy is not shown in the rule.
✓
Unauthorized remote access to a critical server
Why this is correct
Allowing RDP from a broad range increases unauthorized access risk.
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 misinterpret a network diagram or ACL as indicating a denial of service vulnerability (Option A) because they focus on the inbound traffic volume or source, rather than recognizing that the specific risk is the exposure of a management interface to unauthorized remote access.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Password policy is not shown in the rule.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Unauthorized remote access risks are often identified by reviewing firewall rules or ACLs that permit inbound traffic from untrusted zones (e.g., 0.0.0.0/0) to management ports like RDP (TCP 3389) or SSH (TCP 22) on critical servers. In a real-world scenario, such exposure could allow an attacker to brute-force credentials or exploit unpatched vulnerabilities in the remote access service, leading to full server compromise. This aligns with the CRISC domain of IT Risk Identification, where network segmentation and access control reviews are key risk identification techniques.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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: Unauthorized remote access to a critical server — The exhibit (not shown) likely depicts a network diagram or access control list (ACL) configuration that allows inbound traffic from the internet to a critical server on a restricted port (e.g., RDP on TCP 3389 or SSH on TCP 22). This directly identifies the risk of unauthorized remote access, as an attacker could exploit this exposed management interface to gain control of the server. The other options are not directly indicated by such a configuration.
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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