ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
A security manager is assessing the risk of a new web application. The manager identifies that the application has a known SQL injection vulnerability, and that attackers frequently scan for such flaws. Which term best describes the SQL injection flaw itself?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse vulnerability with risk, assuming that the flaw is the risk rather than the weakness that contributes to risk.
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
✓
Vulnerability
The correct answer is vulnerability. A vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in a system that can be exploited by a threat. The SQL injection flaw is a specific weakness in the web application. Threat refers to the attacker or attack method, risk is the potential for loss, and impact is the resulting harm. Therefore, the flaw itself is a vulnerability.
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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Risk
Why it's wrong here
Risk is the potential for loss or damage when a threat exploits a vulnerability. It combines the likelihood of an event and its impact. The SQL injection flaw is not the risk itself; it is the vulnerability that contributes to risk. The risk would be the potential compromise of the database due to this flaw being exploited by attackers.
- ✓
Vulnerability
Why this is correct
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system that can be exploited by a threat. The SQL injection flaw is a specific weakness in the web application's code that allows attackers to manipulate database queries. It is the vulnerability that, if exploited, could lead to data breaches. Thus, the flaw itself is correctly termed a vulnerability.
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Impact
Why it's wrong here
Impact is the magnitude of harm that could result from a threat exploiting a vulnerability. The SQL injection flaw is not the impact; it is the weakness. The impact would be the consequences, such as data loss or financial damage, if the vulnerability is exploited. Therefore, impact is not the correct term for the flaw.
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Threat
Why it's wrong here
A threat is any potential cause of an unwanted incident that could harm assets. In this scenario, the attackers scanning for flaws represent the threat, not the SQL injection flaw. The flaw is a weakness that could be exploited, but it is not the threat itself. Therefore, threat is not the correct term for the SQL injection vulnerability.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Risk Management and Security Controls
Key term
SQL injection
SQL injection is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with the queries an application makes to its database, often to read, modify, or destroy data.
Key term
Threat
A threat is any potential danger that could harm a computer system, network, or data, whether from a malicious hacker, a natural disaster, or an accidental mistake.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CC exam.