- A
Regenerate session tokens after login
Regeneration prevents session fixation attacks.
- B
Store session tokens in cookies with Secure and HttpOnly flags
This prevents token leakage via URL and reduces XSS theft.
- C
Invalidate session tokens on logout and set short expiration times
Invalidation prevents reuse; expiration limits window of opportunity.
- D
Use a cryptographically secure random number generator for token generation
Unpredictable tokens prevent session prediction attacks.
- E
Implement IP address binding for session tokens
Why wrong: IP binding can cause usability issues and may be bypassed.
Question 980 of 1,000
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.
During a security audit of a web application, the following issues are found: (1) Session tokens are included in URLs, (2) The application does not invalidate session tokens after logout, and (3) Session tokens are predictable. Which THREE of the following controls are most appropriate to address these issues?
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
✓
Regenerate session tokens after login
Option A is correct because regenerating session tokens after login prevents session fixation attacks, where an attacker forces a known session ID on a user before authentication. This ensures that the session identifier used post-login is not the same as the one used pre-login, mitigating the risk of an attacker hijacking the authenticated session. This control directly addresses the issue of predictable session tokens by ensuring a fresh, unpredictable token is issued upon authentication.
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.
- ✓
Regenerate session tokens after login
Why this is correct
Regeneration prevents session fixation attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Store session tokens in cookies with Secure and HttpOnly flags
Why this is correct
This prevents token leakage via URL and reduces XSS theft.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Invalidate session tokens on logout and set short expiration times
Why this is correct
Invalidation prevents reuse; expiration limits window of opportunity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use a cryptographically secure random number generator for token generation
Why this is correct
Unpredictable tokens prevent session prediction attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement IP address binding for session tokens
Why it's wrong here
IP binding can cause usability issues and may be bypassed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that IP binding is a strong session management control, but in reality it is fragile and not a primary defense against session token exposure, predictability, or improper invalidation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Session tokens should be generated using a cryptographically secure pseudo-random number generator (CSPRNG) as per RFC 4086, ensuring unpredictability. The Secure flag on cookies ensures transmission only over HTTPS (RFC 6265), while the HttpOnly flag prevents client-side script access, mitigating XSS-based token theft. Short expiration times (e.g., 15-30 minutes) and server-side invalidation on logout align with OWASP Session Management best practices, reducing the window for session hijacking.
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: Regenerate session tokens after login — Option A is correct because regenerating session tokens after login prevents session fixation attacks, where an attacker forces a known session ID on a user before authentication. This ensures that the session identifier used post-login is not the same as the one used pre-login, mitigating the risk of an attacker hijacking the authenticated session. This control directly addresses the issue of predictable session tokens by ensuring a fresh, unpredictable token is issued upon authentication.
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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