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Question 143 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

CISSP Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit

This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of cissp exam topics. 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

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Request xmlns="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/">
  <Header>
    <wsse:Security>
      <wsse:UsernameToken>
        <wsse:Username>admin</wsse:Username>
        <wsse:Password Type="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-username-token-profile-1.0#PasswordText">P@ssw0rd</wsse:Password>
      </wsse:UsernameToken>
    </wsse:Security>
  </Header>
  <Body>
    <getAccountBalance>
      <accountNumber>123456789</accountNumber>
    </getAccountBalance>
  </Body>
</Request>

Refer to the exhibit. A security architect is reviewing a SOAP message for a banking application. Which security concern should be addressed?

Exhibit

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Request xmlns="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/">
  <Header>
    <wsse:Security>
      <wsse:UsernameToken>
        <wsse:Username>admin</wsse:Username>
        <wsse:Password Type="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-username-token-profile-1.0#PasswordText">P@ssw0rd</wsse:Password>
      </wsse:UsernameToken>
    </wsse:Security>
  </Header>
  <Body>
    <getAccountBalance>
      <accountNumber>123456789</accountNumber>
    </getAccountBalance>
  </Body>
</Request>

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

✓

The password is sent in plaintext, which violates security best practices.

The question presents a SOAP message exhibit (not shown) for a banking application. The correct answer is B because sending a password in plaintext within a SOAP message is a critical security vulnerability. Passwords should never be transmitted in plaintext; they should be encrypted or hashed, and preferably sent using secure methods such as WS-Security with encrypted credentials or using OAuth tokens. The other options may also be concerns, but the most direct and immediate issue from the exhibit is the plaintext password.

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.

  • ✗

    The message lacks encryption, exposing sensitive data in transit.

    Why it's wrong here

    Although encryption is important, the specific issue in the message is the plaintext password.

  • ✓

    The password is sent in plaintext, which violates security best practices.

    Why this is correct

    The PasswordType is PasswordText, meaning the password is transmitted in cleartext.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    The XML signature is missing, allowing message tampering.

    Why it's wrong here

    The message does not include a signature, but the plaintext password is a more immediate risk.

  • ✗

    The account number is exposed; it should be encrypted.

    Why it's wrong here

    While account number exposure is a concern, the most glaring issue is the plaintext password.

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 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 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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CISSP question test?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The password is sent in plaintext, which violates security best practices. — The question presents a SOAP message exhibit (not shown) for a banking application. The correct answer is B because sending a password in plaintext within a SOAP message is a critical security vulnerability. Passwords should never be transmitted in plaintext; they should be encrypted or hashed, and preferably sent using secure methods such as WS-Security with encrypted credentials or using OAuth tokens. The other options may also be concerns, but the most direct and immediate issue from the exhibit is the plaintext password.

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.

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

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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.