The answer is that the stored procedure for login is still comparing the plain-text password with the hash. This mismatch occurs because the database trigger successfully hashes the password during INSERT and UPDATE operations, but the legacy stored procedure—written by the now-defunct vendor—was never updated to hash the incoming login password before comparing it to the stored hash. Instead, it continues to compare the raw plain-text password directly against the SHA-256 hash, which will always fail. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how database-level security controls, such as triggers and stored procedures, must be aligned; a common trap is assuming a trigger alone fixes authentication without updating the comparison logic. Remember the memory tip: “Trigger hashes the store, but the proc still wants the raw.”
SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application 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.
A company runs a critical web application on an internal server that authenticates users against a Microsoft SQL Server database. The application was developed by a vendor that is no longer in business, and the source code is unavailable. The current authentication process stores user passwords using reversible encryption. The security team has identified this as a high-risk vulnerability. They propose implementing a database-level trigger that hashes the password column during INSERT and UPDATE operations, and modifying the application's stored procedures to compare hashed values during login. However, after implementation, users report that they cannot log in. The authentication logs show that the password comparison always fails. The database administrator confirms that the trigger is working and that new user registrations store the SHA-256 hash. What is the most likely cause of the login failures?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The stored procedure for login is still comparing the plain-text password with the hash.
Option C is correct because the stored procedure for login likely still expects a plain-text password and compares it directly to the stored hash, causing failure. Option A is incorrect because the trigger should fire on all updates, including those by the same user. Option B is incorrect because the trigger uses SHA-256 and the stored procedure should use the same algorithm. Option D is incorrect because the trigger should be defined on the password column.
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 trigger does not hash the password during UPDATE operations that are performed by the same user.
Why it's wrong here
Triggers fire on any UPDATE that modifies the specified column, regardless of user.
✗
The application is using a different hashing algorithm than the trigger.
Why it's wrong here
The trigger uses SHA-256 as stated; the stored procedure is expected to use the same.
✓
The stored procedure for login is still comparing the plain-text password with the hash.
Why this is correct
The stored procedure likely was not modified to hash the input before comparison, resulting in failure.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The trigger hashes the password only if the password column is part of a specific set of columns.
Why it's wrong here
Triggers in SQL Server operate on the entire row update, not subsets.
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 SSCP 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.
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The stored procedure for login is still comparing the plain-text password with the hash. — Option C is correct because the stored procedure for login likely still expects a plain-text password and compares it directly to the stored hash, causing failure. Option A is incorrect because the trigger should fire on all updates, including those by the same user. Option B is incorrect because the trigger uses SHA-256 and the stored procedure should use the same algorithm. Option D is incorrect because the trigger should be defined on the password column.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which SSCP 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: "most likely", "always". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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