CRISC IT Risk Identification Practice Question
Which of the following is the PRIMARY source for identifying known software vulnerabilities in a systematic manner?
⚠ Common exam trap
CRISC often tests the distinction between a vulnerability database (NVD) and security guidance or awareness lists (CIS Benchmarks, OWASP Top 10), causing candidates to select a well-known framework instead of the primary systematic source.
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
✓
National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is the U.S. government repository of standards-based vulnerability management data, built upon the CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) list. It provides a systematic, structured, and continuously updated source of known software vulnerabilities, including CVSS scores, CWE classifications, and affected product configurations. For CRISC, it is the authoritative primary source for identifying vulnerabilities in a repeatable, comprehensive manner, unlike the other options which are either not vulnerability databases or not systematic.
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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OSINT feeds from social media
Why it's wrong here
Social media OSINT is unstructured, unverified and lacks systematic CVE coverage, so it cannot serve as a primary vulnerability source. It suits threat intelligence or brand monitoring, whereas systematic identification requires curated databases such as NVD.
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CIS Benchmarks
Why it's wrong here
CIS Benchmarks provide secure configuration baselines for hardening systems, not a catalogue of known software vulnerabilities. Vulnerability enumeration comes from CVE/NVD feeds and vendor advisories, which is the scenario where a benchmark would not apply.
- ✓
National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
Why this is correct
The National Vulnerability Database provides a systematic, authoritative feed of known vulnerabilities, each mapped to CVE identifiers and enriched with CVSS severity scores. This structured, continuously updated catalogue satisfies the stem's requirement for a primary, repeatable source, unlike vendor advisories or ad hoc threat feeds.
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OWASP Top 10
Why it's wrong here
The OWASP Top 10 lists categories of web application risks, not specific known vulnerabilities with identifiers. It guides secure development awareness; systematic enumeration requires CVE/NVD data, which is the scenario where OWASP would not be the source.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISACA exam blueprint
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