- A
Using parameterized queries with prepared statements
Parameterized queries separate SQL code from data, preventing injection.
- B
Escaping all user input before concatenation
Why wrong: Escaping can be error-prone and may not cover all cases.
- C
Input validation using a blacklist of known malicious patterns
Why wrong: Blacklisting is often incomplete and can be bypassed.
- D
Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Why wrong: WAF provides detection but not comprehensive prevention.
Question 302 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 team is reviewing a web application that allows users to search for products. The application uses a SQL database and constructs queries by concatenating user input directly into the SQL statement. Which of the following is the most effective mitigation against SQL injection attacks?
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 parameterized queries with prepared statements
Parameterized queries with prepared statements separate SQL logic from user input by sending the query structure to the database first, then binding input values as data parameters. This prevents the database from interpreting user input as executable SQL code, even if the input contains malicious characters. It is the only defense that completely eliminates the injection vector at the database interaction layer.
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 parameterized queries with prepared statements
Why this is correct
Parameterized queries separate SQL code from data, preventing injection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Escaping all user input before concatenation
Why it's wrong here
Escaping can be error-prone and may not cover all cases.
- ✗
Input validation using a blacklist of known malicious patterns
Why it's wrong here
Blacklisting is often incomplete and can be bypassed.
- ✗
Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
WAF provides detection but not comprehensive prevention.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose input validation or escaping because they seem proactive, but the CISSP exam emphasizes that parameterized queries are the only definitive defense against SQL injection at the code level, as they enforce separation of code and data by design.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, parameterized queries use database-specific protocols (e.g., binary protocol in PostgreSQL or MySQL prepared statements) where the query template is compiled once and parameters are sent separately, ensuring the database engine treats them as data literals, not executable code. A subtle behavior is that even stored procedures can be vulnerable if they dynamically construct SQL within the procedure; parameterized queries must be used at the application-to-database call level. In a real-world scenario, a developer might use parameterized queries for SELECT statements but forget to apply them to dynamic ORDER BY or column names, which cannot be parameterized and require strict whitelisting instead.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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 parameterized queries with prepared statements — Parameterized queries with prepared statements separate SQL logic from user input by sending the query structure to the database first, then binding input values as data parameters. This prevents the database from interpreting user input as executable SQL code, even if the input contains malicious characters. It is the only defense that completely eliminates the injection vector at the database interaction layer.
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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