- A
Broken authentication
Why wrong: Broken authentication involves flaws in login or session management.
- B
Insecure direct object reference (IDOR)
IDOR allows direct access to objects without authorization.
- C
Server-side request forgery (SSRF)
Why wrong: SSRF forces the server to make requests to internal systems.
- D
Security misconfiguration
Why wrong: Misconfiguration includes default credentials, verbose errors, etc.
Question 436 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.
During a penetration test, a security analyst discovers that a web application allows an attacker to bypass authorization and view another user's private messages by simply changing a numeric ID in the URL. Which vulnerability is being exploited?
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
✓
Insecure direct object reference (IDOR)
B is correct because the vulnerability allows an attacker to access another user's private messages by simply changing a numeric ID in the URL, which is a classic example of Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR). This occurs when the application exposes a direct reference to an internal object (e.g., a database key) without proper access control checks, enabling unauthorized access to resources belonging to other users.
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.
- ✗
Broken authentication
Why it's wrong here
Broken authentication involves flaws in login or session management.
- ✓
Insecure direct object reference (IDOR)
Why this is correct
IDOR allows direct access to objects without authorization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Server-side request forgery (SSRF)
Why it's wrong here
SSRF forces the server to make requests to internal systems.
- ✗
Security misconfiguration
Why it's wrong here
Misconfiguration includes default credentials, verbose errors, etc.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse IDOR with broken authentication because both involve unauthorized access, but IDOR specifically targets direct object references without proper access controls, whereas broken authentication focuses on flaws in the authentication process itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IDOR exploits the absence of an access control layer between the user-supplied input (e.g., `?user_id=123`) and the backend resource (e.g., a database query `SELECT * FROM messages WHERE user_id = $input`). In a secure implementation, the application should verify that the authenticated user has permission to access the requested object, often by using a session-based identifier or an indirect reference map (e.g., a random token instead of a sequential ID). Real-world examples include the 2018 Facebook bug where changing a numeric ID in a photo URL allowed viewing private photos of other users.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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: Insecure direct object reference (IDOR) — B is correct because the vulnerability allows an attacker to access another user's private messages by simply changing a numeric ID in the URL, which is a classic example of Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR). This occurs when the application exposes a direct reference to an internal object (e.g., a database key) without proper access control checks, enabling unauthorized access to resources belonging to other users.
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.
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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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