The answer is to implement a web application firewall (WAF) with virtual patching to reduce exploitability. This is correct because virtual patching acts as a compensating control that inspects and blocks malicious traffic targeting the vulnerability at the network layer, effectively reducing the risk of remote code execution without requiring any changes to the application code or causing downtime. On the CRISC exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply risk mitigation strategies when a patch is unavailable, emphasizing that accepting risk is inappropriate when the organization’s risk appetite is very low. A common trap is to recommend risk acceptance or workarounds like disabling the application, but virtual patching provides an immediate, active defense that aligns with a low-risk appetite while waiting for an official vendor patch. Memory tip: When no patch is available, think “WAF it off” — virtual patching buys time without downtime.
CRISC IT Risk Assessment Practice Question
This CRISC practice question tests your understanding of it risk assessment. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
You are the IT risk manager for a financial institution. During a routine vulnerability scan, you discover that a critical web application has a high-severity vulnerability that could allow remote code execution. The development team states that a patch is not yet available from the vendor, and the application is business-critical with no acceptable downtime. The risk owner wants to accept the risk. However, the organization's risk appetite is very low for security vulnerabilities. You have been asked to recommend a course of action. Which of the following should you recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with virtual patching to reduce exploitability.
Option C is correct because implementing a web application firewall (WAF) with virtual patching provides an immediate, compensating control that reduces the exploitability of the vulnerability without requiring application downtime. This aligns with the organization's low risk appetite by actively mitigating the risk while waiting for an official vendor patch, rather than passively accepting it.
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.
✗
Transfer the risk by purchasing cyber insurance.
Why it's wrong here
Does not reduce likelihood or impact.
✗
Decommission the application immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Not feasible due to business criticality.
✓
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with virtual patching to reduce exploitability.
Why this is correct
Provides compensating control until patch is available.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Accept the risk as the team will monitor for patches.
Why it's wrong here
Does not align with low risk appetite.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse risk transfer (insurance) with risk mitigation, or assume that accepting risk is always valid when the risk owner agrees, ignoring the organization's stated risk appetite.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A WAF with virtual patching works by inspecting HTTP/HTTPS traffic at the application layer (Layer 7) and blocking exploit attempts using signatures or behavioral rules that mimic the missing vendor patch. For example, if the vulnerability is a SQL injection or remote code execution via a specific parameter, the WAF can be configured to block requests containing that pattern, effectively neutralizing the attack vector without modifying the application code. In a real-world scenario, this approach is commonly used in financial institutions to maintain compliance with PCI DSS Requirement 6.6, which mandates either code review or a WAF for public-facing web applications.
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 Assessment — This question tests IT Risk Assessment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with virtual patching to reduce exploitability. — Option C is correct because implementing a web application firewall (WAF) with virtual patching provides an immediate, compensating control that reduces the exploitability of the vulnerability without requiring application downtime. This aligns with the organization's low risk appetite by actively mitigating the risk while waiting for an official vendor patch, rather than passively accepting it.
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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