- A
VM sprawl; use resource limits
Why wrong: VM sprawl is unmanaged growth, not an attack.
- B
Side-channel attack; disable hyperthreading
Why wrong: Side-channel is different; disabling hyperthreading is not the primary mitigation for escape.
- C
Privilege escalation; enable SELinux inside VM
Why wrong: Privilege escalation is broader; SELinux inside VM doesn't prevent hypervisor attacks.
- D
VM escape; regularly patch the hypervisor
VM escape is a critical multi-tenancy risk; patching is key.
Question 906 of 1,000
mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Practice Question: Is concerned about a scenario where a malicious…
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of ccsp exam topics. 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.
A security engineer is concerned about a scenario where a malicious process inside a VM breaks out of the virtualized environment to compromise the hypervisor. What is this attack called and what is the primary mitigation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
VM escape; regularly patch the hypervisor
VM escape occurs when code inside a VM accesses the hypervisor. Patching the hypervisor closes known vulnerabilities.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
VM sprawl; use resource limits
Why it's wrong here
VM sprawl is unmanaged growth, not an attack.
- ✗
Side-channel attack; disable hyperthreading
Why it's wrong here
Side-channel is different; disabling hyperthreading is not the primary mitigation for escape.
- ✗
Privilege escalation; enable SELinux inside VM
Why it's wrong here
Privilege escalation is broader; SELinux inside VM doesn't prevent hypervisor attacks.
- ✓
VM escape; regularly patch the hypervisor
Why this is correct
VM escape is a critical multi-tenancy risk; patching is key.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CCSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VM escape; regularly patch the hypervisor — VM escape occurs when code inside a VM accesses the hypervisor. Patching the hypervisor closes known vulnerabilities.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CCSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CCSP 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 CCSP exam.
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