- A
Use of an outdated version of a JavaScript library with known vulnerabilities
Why wrong: This is vulnerable components, not misconfiguration.
- B
Default administrator credentials remain unchanged
Default credentials are a classic security misconfiguration.
- C
Verbose error messages reveal stack traces to users
Verbose errors are a misconfiguration that leaks information.
- D
Lack of CSRF tokens in forms
Why wrong: This is a missing security control, not a misconfiguration.
- E
Weak password policy allowing short passwords
Why wrong: This falls under broken authentication, not misconfiguration.
Question 483 of 1,000
CISSP Software Development Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of software development security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 hardening a web server before deploying a new application. Which TWO of the following are examples of security misconfiguration vulnerabilities that should be addressed?
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
✓
Default administrator credentials remain unchanged
Default administrator credentials are a classic security misconfiguration because they represent a failure to change vendor-supplied defaults before deployment. Attackers can easily guess or look up these credentials (e.g., admin:admin) to gain unauthorized access to the web server's management interface. This is explicitly listed in the OWASP Top 10 as a security misconfiguration (A05:2021).
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.
- ✗
Use of an outdated version of a JavaScript library with known vulnerabilities
Why it's wrong here
This is vulnerable components, not misconfiguration.
- ✓
Default administrator credentials remain unchanged
Why this is correct
Default credentials are a classic security misconfiguration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Verbose error messages reveal stack traces to users
Why this is correct
Verbose errors are a misconfiguration that leaks information.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Lack of CSRF tokens in forms
Why it's wrong here
This is a missing security control, not a misconfiguration.
- ✗
Weak password policy allowing short passwords
Why it's wrong here
This falls under broken authentication, not misconfiguration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'security misconfiguration' and other vulnerability types (e.g., using outdated libraries is a 'using components with known vulnerabilities' issue, not a misconfiguration), so candidates mistakenly classify all common weaknesses as misconfigurations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Security misconfiguration vulnerabilities arise from insecure default settings, incomplete or ad-hoc configurations, open cloud storage, misconfigured HTTP headers, or verbose error messages containing stack traces. For example, verbose error messages (option C) can leak internal paths, SQL queries, or framework versions, aiding attackers in reconnaissance. The CISSP domain of Software Development Security emphasizes that misconfigurations must be addressed during the hardening phase, often by applying security baselines like CIS Benchmarks or DISA STIGs.
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: Default administrator credentials remain unchanged — Default administrator credentials are a classic security misconfiguration because they represent a failure to change vendor-supplied defaults before deployment. Attackers can easily guess or look up these credentials (e.g., admin:admin) to gain unauthorized access to the web server's management interface. This is explicitly listed in the OWASP Top 10 as a security misconfiguration (A05:2021).
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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