- A
Insecure deserialization
Why wrong: The issue is not about deserialization but about using a vulnerable component.
- B
Insufficient logging and monitoring
Why wrong: Logging and monitoring are not the primary issue here.
- C
Using components with known vulnerabilities
This directly matches the scenario.
- D
Security misconfiguration
Why wrong: The library itself is vulnerable, not misconfigured.
Question 62 of 1,000
CISSP Software Development Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of software development security. 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 development team is using a third-party library that is known to have a critical vulnerability. The team decides to continue using the library because it is widely used and the vulnerability has not been exploited. Which security risk is the team ignoring?
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
✓
Using components with known vulnerabilities
The team is ignoring the risk of using components with known vulnerabilities, which is explicitly listed in the OWASP Top 10 (A06:2021). Even if a vulnerability has not been exploited yet, continuing to use a library with a known CVE (e.g., a remote code execution flaw in an older version of Log4j) exposes the application to potential attacks once exploit code becomes public. The decision based on 'wide usage' and 'no exploitation so far' is a fallacy, as threat actors often target widely deployed libraries precisely because of their large attack surface.
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.
- ✗
Insecure deserialization
Why it's wrong here
The issue is not about deserialization but about using a vulnerable component.
- ✗
Insufficient logging and monitoring
Why it's wrong here
Logging and monitoring are not the primary issue here.
- ✓
Using components with known vulnerabilities
Why this is correct
This directly matches the scenario.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Security misconfiguration
Why it's wrong here
The library itself is vulnerable, not misconfigured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think 'no exploitation yet' means the risk is acceptable, but CISSP tests the principle that known vulnerabilities must be remediated regardless of current exploit status, as threat actors will eventually weaponize them.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, vulnerability databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) assign CVSS scores and CVE identifiers to each known flaw. A real-world scenario is the Equifax breach (2017), where attackers exploited a known vulnerability in Apache Struts (CVE-2017-5638) despite a patch being available; the company had not updated the library, assuming the risk was low. This highlights that 'known but unpatched' components are a primary vector for automated exploit tools, which scan for specific CVEs regardless of current exploitation status.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Software Development Security — This question tests Software Development Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Using components with known vulnerabilities — The team is ignoring the risk of using components with known vulnerabilities, which is explicitly listed in the OWASP Top 10 (A06:2021). Even if a vulnerability has not been exploited yet, continuing to use a library with a known CVE (e.g., a remote code execution flaw in an older version of Log4j) exposes the application to potential attacks once exploit code becomes public. The decision based on 'wide usage' and 'no exploitation so far' is a fallacy, as threat actors often target widely deployed libraries precisely because of their large attack surface.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.
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