The correct answer is that the container runs as root by default, which is the most critical weakness to address first. Running as root inside a container violates the principle of least privilege, meaning that if an attacker compromises the container, they immediately gain full control over the container’s processes and potentially the host kernel if there is a container escape vulnerability. On the CISSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of the Domain 2 asset security and Domain 3 security architecture principles, where containerization is often presented as a security boundary that must be hardened. A common trap is to focus on software versions or build optimizations, but the exam emphasizes that privilege escalation risk outweighs those concerns. Remember the memory tip: “Root in a container is a root on the host’s doorstep”—always drop privileges with a dedicated user in the Dockerfile to limit blast radius.
CISSP Software Development Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of software development security. 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.
Exhibit
FROM ubuntu:latest
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y python
COPY . /app
WORKDIR /app
CMD ["python", "app.py"]
Refer to the exhibit. Which security weakness should be addressed first in this Dockerfile?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The container runs as root by default
Option C is correct because running as root inside the container increases the impact of a compromise. Option A is wrong because Python itself is not a weakness. Option B is wrong because pinning base image tags is important but less critical than running as root. Option D is wrong because multistage builds are a best practice but not the most urgent issue.
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.
✗
Installing Python without version pinning
Why it's wrong here
Version pinning is recommended but less urgent than root access.
✗
No multistage build is used
Why it's wrong here
Multistage builds reduce image size but are not a direct security issue.
✓
The container runs as root by default
Why this is correct
Running as root greatly increases the attack surface; a non-root user should be created.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The use of 'latest' tag for the base image
Why it's wrong here
Using 'latest' can cause inconsistencies but is not the most critical weakness.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: The container runs as root by default — Option C is correct because running as root inside the container increases the impact of a compromise. Option A is wrong because Python itself is not a weakness. Option B is wrong because pinning base image tags is important but less critical than running as root. Option D is wrong because multistage builds are a best practice but not the most urgent issue.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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