- A
Patching the vulnerability that was exploited
Correct. Without patching, the same vulnerability can be exploited again.
- B
Running a full antivirus scan
Why wrong: Antivirus scan may not detect all root causes; patching is critical.
- C
Resetting all user passwords
Why wrong: Password reset is important but does not address the technical vulnerability.
- D
Reimaging the system with a clean OS
Why wrong: Reimaging is effective but may not be necessary if eradication is thorough; patching is key.
Question 313 of 1,000
SSCP Incident Response and Recovery Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. 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 the eradication phase of a malware incident, a security analyst removes malicious files and cleans registry persistence. What is the MOST critical additional step to prevent reinfection through the same vector?
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
✓
Patching the vulnerability that was exploited
Patching the exploited vulnerability (Option A) is the most critical additional step because it removes the root cause of the infection. Without patching, the same attack vector (e.g., an unpatched SMB vulnerability like EternalBlue) remains open, allowing the malware to reinfect the system immediately after cleanup. Eradication is incomplete if the underlying flaw is not addressed, as the attacker can simply re-exploit the same weakness.
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.
- ✓
Patching the vulnerability that was exploited
Why this is correct
Correct. Without patching, the same vulnerability can be exploited again.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Running a full antivirus scan
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus scan may not detect all root causes; patching is critical.
- ✗
Resetting all user passwords
Why it's wrong here
Password reset is important but does not address the technical vulnerability.
- ✗
Reimaging the system with a clean OS
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging is effective but may not be necessary if eradication is thorough; patching is key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that cleaning or reimaging alone is sufficient, but the trap here is that candidates overlook the need to address the root cause (the vulnerability) to prevent reinfection through the same vector.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In incident response, the eradication phase must include vulnerability remediation, such as applying a security patch (e.g., MS17-010 for EternalBlue) or disabling the vulnerable service (e.g., SMBv1). Without this, the attack surface remains intact, and the same exploit can be reused. Real-world attacks like WannaCry demonstrated that patching is essential to break the chain of reinfection, as unpatched systems were repeatedly compromised even after cleanup.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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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Incident Response and Recovery — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Incident Response and Recovery — This question tests Incident Response and Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Patching the vulnerability that was exploited — Patching the exploited vulnerability (Option A) is the most critical additional step because it removes the root cause of the infection. Without patching, the same attack vector (e.g., an unpatched SMB vulnerability like EternalBlue) remains open, allowing the malware to reinfect the system immediately after cleanup. Eradication is incomplete if the underlying flaw is not addressed, as the attacker can simply re-exploit the same weakness.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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