- A
Using HTTPS for all communications
Why wrong: HTTPS protects data in transit but does not prevent session fixation.
- B
Setting session timeout to 30 minutes
Why wrong: Session timeout reduces the window of opportunity but does not prevent fixation.
- C
Implementing multi-factor authentication
Why wrong: MFA adds another layer of security but does not specifically prevent session fixation.
- D
Regenerating session IDs after successful login
Regenerating the session ID invalidates any session ID set before authentication.
Question 188 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 security architect is designing an authentication system. To prevent session fixation attacks, which secure design principle should be implemented?
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
✓
Regenerating session IDs after successful login
Session fixation attacks occur when an attacker forces a user to use a known session ID. Regenerating the session ID after successful login (e.g., via `session_regenerate_id()` in PHP or `HttpServletRequest.changeSessionId()` in Java) ensures that the pre-authentication session ID is discarded and a new, unpredictable one is issued, breaking the attacker's control.
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.
- ✗
Using HTTPS for all communications
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS protects data in transit but does not prevent session fixation.
- ✗
Setting session timeout to 30 minutes
Why it's wrong here
Session timeout reduces the window of opportunity but does not prevent fixation.
- ✗
Implementing multi-factor authentication
Why it's wrong here
MFA adds another layer of security but does not specifically prevent session fixation.
- ✓
Regenerating session IDs after successful login
Why this is correct
Regenerating the session ID invalidates any session ID set before authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse session fixation with session hijacking or general secure transmission, leading them to choose HTTPS or MFA, which are important but do not directly counter the fixation mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, session fixation exploits the fact that many web frameworks accept session IDs from URL parameters or cookies before authentication. The fix is mandated by RFC 6265 (HTTP State Management Mechanism) and OWASP ASVS requirement V3.2.1, which states that session tokens must be changed upon login. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could email a link with a fixed session ID (e.g., `http://bank.com/?sessionid=attacker123`); without regeneration, the user authenticates with that ID, and the attacker hijacks the session.
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 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
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: Regenerating session IDs after successful login — Session fixation attacks occur when an attacker forces a user to use a known session ID. Regenerating the session ID after successful login (e.g., via `session_regenerate_id()` in PHP or `HttpServletRequest.changeSessionId()` in Java) ensures that the pre-authentication session ID is discarded and a new, unpredictable one is issued, breaking the attacker's control.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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