Quick Answer
The correct answer is to document the compensating control and accept the residual risk. This is the appropriate action because the Web Application Firewall (WAF) serves as a compensating control for the high CVSS vulnerability, effectively blocking the attack vector even though the deprecated feature cannot be patched immediately. In risk management, when a compensating control reduces the likelihood of exploitation to an acceptable level, the residual risk can be formally accepted by management, aligning with frameworks like NIST SP 800-30. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of risk treatment options—specifically, that a compensating control is not a fix but a mitigation, and acceptance requires documented evidence and management sign-off. A common trap is to choose “implement a patch” or “remove the feature,” but the question explicitly states neither is possible now. Memory tip: “WAF it, then accept it”—if a control compensates, document and accept the leftover risk.
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security assessment and testing. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 vulnerability scan report shows that a web server has a critical vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8. However, the server is behind a WAF that blocks the attack vector, and the vulnerability is in a deprecated feature that cannot be removed until the next major release. What should the security manager do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Remove the server from production
Why wrong: Overreaction; compensating controls exist.
Ignore the finding because the WAF blocks it
Why wrong: Formal risk acceptance is needed.
Document the compensating control and accept the residual risk
Proper risk treatment includes acknowledging existing controls and formal acceptance.
Immediately patch the vulnerability
Why wrong: Patching may not be available or may break functionality.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Document the compensating control and accept the residual risk
Option C is correct because the WAF serves as a compensating control that effectively mitigates the attack vector for this vulnerability, and the residual risk has been formally documented and accepted by management. In the absence of an immediate patch or removal of the deprecated feature, documenting the compensating control and accepting the residual risk is the appropriate risk management decision per the organization's risk appetite and the NIST SP 800-30 risk assessment framework.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Remove the server from production
Why it's wrong here
Overreaction; compensating controls exist.
Ignore the finding because the WAF blocks it
Why it's wrong here
Formal risk acceptance is needed.
Document the compensating control and accept the residual risk
Why this is correct
Proper risk treatment includes acknowledging existing controls and formal acceptance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Immediately patch the vulnerability
Why it's wrong here
Patching may not be available or may break functionality.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly think a high CVSS score always demands immediate patching or removal, ignoring the role of compensating controls and formal risk acceptance in the risk management process.
Detailed technical explanation
The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical vulnerability with a network-based attack vector, low attack complexity, and no privileges required, but a WAF can inspect HTTP/HTTPS traffic at Layer 7 and block malicious payloads targeting that specific vulnerability, effectively reducing the risk to an acceptable level. In real-world scenarios, compensating controls like WAF rules, network segmentation, or virtual patching are documented in a risk register and reviewed periodically to ensure they remain effective until the underlying code can be remediated in a planned release cycle.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Security Assessment and Testing — This question tests Security Assessment and Testing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Document the compensating control and accept the residual risk — Option C is correct because the WAF serves as a compensating control that effectively mitigates the attack vector for this vulnerability, and the residual risk has been formally documented and accepted by management. In the absence of an immediate patch or removal of the deprecated feature, documenting the compensating control and accepting the residual risk is the appropriate risk management decision per the organization's risk appetite and the NIST SP 800-30 risk assessment framework.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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