This CC practice question tests your understanding of security principles. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A security administrator notices that a user with standard privileges was able to modify a system file. Which security principle has been violated?
Need to know
Why wrong: Need to know restricts access to information, not system files.
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth involves multiple layers of security, not user permissions.
Least privilege
The user had more privileges than needed, violating least privilege.
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Separation of duties prevents a single person from completing critical tasks alone, not directly related to file modification.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Least privilege
The principle of least privilege requires that users be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. A standard user modifying a system file indicates they have been assigned unnecessary administrative rights, violating this principle. This could occur if the user is a member of a group like Administrators or has been granted explicit write access to protected directories such as %SystemRoot%\System32.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Need to know
Why it's wrong here
Need to know restricts access to information, not system files.
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth involves multiple layers of security, not user permissions.
Least privilege
Why this is correct
The user had more privileges than needed, violating least privilege.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties prevents a single person from completing critical tasks alone, not directly related to file modification.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests least privilege by presenting a scenario where a user performs an action beyond their role, and the trap is confusing it with need to know (which focuses on data access, not system-level permissions) or separation of duties (which involves task division, not permission granularity).
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Windows uses access tokens and discretionary access control lists (DACLs) to enforce least privilege; a standard user token should lack the SeBackupPrivilege or SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege needed to overwrite system files. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured Group Policy Object (GPO) or inherited NTFS permissions could inadvertently grant a standard user write access to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts, allowing file modification. The principle is codified in NIST SP 800-53 AC-6 and is fundamental to reducing the attack surface for privilege escalation exploits like UAC bypasses.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security Principles — This question tests Security Principles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Least privilege — The principle of least privilege requires that users be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. A standard user modifying a system file indicates they have been assigned unnecessary administrative rights, violating this principle. This could occur if the user is a member of a group like Administrators or has been granted explicit write access to protected directories such as %SystemRoot%\System32.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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