Master Software Security: Protect Your Applications from Cyber Threats

Question 1

Which of the following is **not** a common software security vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

Memory leak

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of a security audit in software development?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities in a software application

Answer

To ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards

Answer

To evaluate the overall functionality and performance of a software application

Answer

To predict and prevent future security threats

Question 3

Define a firewall and explain its primary function in a network security context.

Accepted Answer

A software or hardware system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules

Answer

A malicious program that can damage or steal data from a computer system

Answer

A cloud-based service that provides secure data storage and backup

Answer

A device that connects multiple computers and devices on a local network

Question 4

Explain the fundamental goal of penetration testing in software security.

Accepted Answer

To simulate real-world attacks and identify exploitable vulnerabilities in a software application

Answer

To rigorously test the functionality and performance of a software application under various conditions

Answer

To obtain a security certification or compliance with industry standards

Answer

To develop and refine security measures against potential threats

Question 5

Which type of software vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a victim's system?

Accepted Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Man-in-the-middle attack

Question 6

What security best practice helps protect the integrity of stored passwords?

Accepted Answer

Employing a strong hashing algorithm like SHA-256

Answer

Neglecting to add salt before hashing

Answer

Storing passwords in plaintext

Answer

Using a reversible hashing algorithm

Question 7

Which security model incorporates role-based access control?

Accepted Answer

Clark-Wilson model

Answer

Bell-LaPadula model

Answer

Biba model

Answer

Harrison-Ruzzo-Ullman model

Question 8

Which tool is primarily used for static code analysis?

Accepted Answer

ESLint

Answer

OWASP Zed Attack Proxy

Answer

nmap

Answer

Metasploit

Question 9

Which threat commonly targets web applications?

Accepted Answer

Cross-site request forgery (CSRF)

Answer

Distributed denial of service (DDoS)

Answer

Phishing

Answer

Malware

Question 10

What is the primary objective of threat modeling in software security?

Accepted Answer

Identify potential threats to a software system

Answer

Establish security requirements

Answer

Implement security measures

Answer

Test the efficacy of security mechanisms

Question 11

Which type of software vulnerability allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to a system by exploiting a buffer overflow?

Accepted Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

Man-in-the-middle attack

Question 12

What is the primary objective of a security audit in software engineering?

Accepted Answer

To identify and assess vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a software system.

Answer

To ensure compliance with security regulations and standards.

Answer

To improve software performance and efficiency.

Answer

To predict and prevent future security threats.

Question 13

Can you distinguish between a threat and a vulnerability in the context of software security?

Accepted Answer

A threat represents a potential attack, while a vulnerability is a weakness in the software that can be exploited by threats.

Answer

A vulnerability represents a potential attack, while a threat is a weakness in the software that can be exploited by threats.

Answer

Threats and vulnerabilities are essentially the same concept in software security.

Answer

All vulnerabilities are always successfully exploited by threats.

Question 14

What is the primary function of a firewall in software security?

Accepted Answer

To prevent unauthorized access to a network or system.

Answer

To detect and intercept malicious activity.

Answer

To encrypt data in transit.

Answer

To securely store sensitive data.

Question 15

Which principle of secure software design emphasizes implementing multiple layers of protection to enhance security?

Accepted Answer

Defense in depth

Answer

Least privilege

Answer

Fail-safe defaults

Answer

Separation of duties

Question 16

Why is it crucial to regularly update software to maintain its security?

Accepted Answer

Software updates typically include patches to address security vulnerabilities.

Answer

Updates improve software performance and efficiency.

Answer

Updates add new features and functionalities.

Answer

Updates prevent software from becoming obsolete and incompatible with modern systems.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a vulnerability that can compromise software security?

Accepted Answer

Code reuse

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Input validation error

Answer

Memory leak

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of encryption in software security?

Accepted Answer

To protect data confidentiality and integrity during transmission and storage

Answer

To provide user authentication

Answer

To prevent code modification

Answer

To detect malicious software

Question 19

What is the main objective of threat modeling?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential threats to a software system and their impact

Answer

To design security controls

Answer

To perform security testing

Answer

To manage software security risks

Question 20

Which of the following is a recommended practice for secure software development?

Accepted Answer

Performing static code analysis

Answer

Using open-source libraries without proper review

Answer

Ignoring input validation

Answer

Relying solely on antivirus software

Question 21

Which of the following is a common technique used in social engineering attacks?

Accepted Answer

Phishing

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

SQL injection

Question 22

What is a key responsibility of a software security auditor?

Accepted Answer

Evaluating software security and compliance with regulations

Answer

Designing software security architectures

Answer

Implementing security controls

Answer

Training developers on security best practices

Question 23

Which of the following is a core principle of zero-trust security?

Accepted Answer

Assume any access is malicious until proven otherwise

Answer

Trust but verify

Answer

Grant access only to authorized users

Answer

Rely solely on antivirus software

Question 24

What is the main objective of a software security risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential security risks and their potential impact

Answer

To develop security controls

Answer

To perform vulnerability scanning

Answer

To implement security measures

Question 25

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a common threat targeting web applications. Which technique involves injecting malicious code into user input fields?

Accepted Answer

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Answer

Buffer Overflow

Answer

SQL Injection

Answer

Man-in-the-Middle Attack

Question 26

Encryption is a security mechanism used to protect sensitive data. What does encryption involve?

Accepted Answer

Encrypting data to render it unreadable without a decryption key

Answer

Authenticating users to grant access to specific resources

Answer

Authorizing users to perform certain actions within a system

Answer

Controlling access to resources based on user permissions

Question 27

Which cybersecurity framework from NIST provides guidelines for securing critical infrastructure?

Accepted Answer

NIST CSF

Answer

ISO/IEC 27001

Answer

PCI DSS

Answer

HIPAA

Question 28

What is the primary objective of secure software development practices?

Accepted Answer

To detect and address vulnerabilities early in the development cycle

Answer

To eliminate all security vulnerabilities

Answer

To ensure compliance with security regulations and standards

Answer

To minimize the financial impact of security breaches

Question 29

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks exploit trust relationships between trusted entities to gain unauthorized access. What type of attack is this?

Accepted Answer

Man-in-the-Middle Attack

Answer

Phishing

Answer

Buffer Overflow

Answer

Denial-of-Service Attack

Question 30

Which security principle dictates that users should be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks?

Accepted Answer

Least Privilege

Answer

Separation of Duties

Answer

Authentication

Answer

Authorization

Question 31

In network security systems, what is the primary function of a firewall?

Accepted Answer

To block unauthorized access to a network

Answer

To detect and respond to security incidents

Answer

To encrypt network traffic

Answer

To monitor network activity for suspicious behavior

Question 32

Which security principle mandates that only authorized individuals should access information?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Availability

Answer

Non-repudiation

Question 33

The primary purpose of a cryptographic hash function is to:

Accepted Answer

Create a unique fingerprint of data

Answer

Encrypt data

Answer

Decrypt data

Answer

Generate random numbers

Question 34

Which metric measures the proficiency of a security control?

Accepted Answer

Effectiveness

Answer

Efficiency

Answer

Reliability

Answer

Testability

Question 35

The primary objective of a security audit is to:

Accepted Answer

Assess compliance with security policies

Answer

Identify security vulnerabilities

Answer

Implement security measures

Answer

Train employees on security awareness

Question 36

The security standard widely adopted in healthcare organizations is:

Accepted Answer

HIPAA

Answer

ISO 27001

Answer

PCI DSS

Answer

NIST 800-53

Question 37

What is the primary function of a firewall in software security?

Accepted Answer

To prevent unauthorized network access

Answer

To detect and block malicious traffic

Answer

To encrypt data transmitted over a network

Answer

To monitor network traffic for suspicious activity

Question 38

What is the primary purpose of a security policy?

Accepted Answer

To establish guidelines and rules for software security

Answer

To implement security measures in a software system

Answer

To monitor a software system for security incidents

Answer

To train employees on software security best practices

Question 39

When designing a secure software system, which factor should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Security

Answer

Cost

Answer

Functionality

Answer

Time to market

Question 40

Which of the following is **NOT** a common software vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

Polynomial regression

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Question 41

What is the **primary** purpose of a firewall in software security?

Accepted Answer

To detect and block unauthorized access to a network

Answer

To encrypt data stored on a hard drive

Answer

To scan for and remove malware from a system

Answer

To provide a secure way to store passwords

Question 42

What is the **main** role of encryption in software security?

Accepted Answer

To protect data from unauthorized access

Answer

To enhance the performance of a software application

Answer

To compress data for storage

Answer

To facilitate data sharing

Question 43

What is the **main** purpose of a security audit in software development?

Accepted Answer

To identify and assess vulnerabilities

Answer

To develop a security plan

Answer

To implement security controls

Answer

To test the effectiveness of security measures

Question 44

What is the **main** difference between a vulnerability and an exploit?

Accepted Answer

A vulnerability is a flaw in the software, while an exploit is the code that takes advantage of the vulnerability

Answer

An exploit is a flaw in the software, while a vulnerability is the code that takes advantage of the flaw

Answer

Vulnerability and exploit are the same thing

Answer

An exploit is a type of vulnerability

Question 45

What is the OWASP Top 10?

Accepted Answer

A list of the most common software security vulnerabilities

Answer

A set of guidelines for secure software development

Answer

An international standard for software security

Answer

A tool for testing the security of software applications

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a common software security threat that exploits a software vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

Spamming

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Answer

SQL injection

Question 47

What is the main purpose of using cryptography in software security?

Accepted Answer

To protect the confidentiality and integrity of data by encrypting it

Answer

To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information

Answer

To detect and respond to security incidents and attacks

Answer

To protect software from malware and viruses

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT considered a software vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

Human error

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

Race condition

Question 49

What is the primary objective of code sanitization?

Accepted Answer

Prevent malicious input from being processed

Answer

Remove all potential vulnerabilities from code

Answer

Encrypt sensitive data before storage

Answer

Detect and quarantine malware

Question 50

Which security testing method involves manually testing an application to find vulnerabilities?

Accepted Answer

Penetration testing

Answer

Static analysis

Answer

Dynamic analysis

Answer

Fuzz testing

Question 51

Which type of encryption algorithm is most suitable for encrypting large amounts of data efficiently?

Accepted Answer

Symmetric encryption

Answer

Asymmetric encryption

Answer

Hash function

Answer

Block cipher

Question 52

What is the primary function of a firewall in the context of software security?

Accepted Answer

Block unauthorized network traffic

Answer

Detect and quarantine malware

Answer

Encrypt data transmissions

Answer

Authenticate users

Question 53

What is the primary purpose of a security incident response plan?

Accepted Answer

Define steps to respond to and mitigate security incidents

Answer

Prevent security incidents from occurring

Answer

Identify vulnerabilities in software systems

Answer

Detect and quarantine malware

Question 54

Which of the following is a prevalent software vulnerability that enables attackers to run arbitrary code on a victim's computer?

Accepted Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Phishing

Question 55

What is the primary function of cryptography in software security?

Accepted Answer

To encrypt and decrypt data, safeguarding it from unauthorized access

Answer

To prevent the execution of malicious code

Answer

To detect and eliminate vulnerabilities

Answer

To enhance software performance

Question 56

Which of the following methodologies is recognized for its focus on software security?

Accepted Answer

Secure SDLC

Answer

Waterfall

Answer

Agile

Answer

Spiral

Question 57

Can you distinguish between a threat and a vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

A threat is a potential risk while a vulnerability is an existing weakness

Answer

A threat is an exploit while a vulnerability is a weakness

Answer

A threat is a malicious actor while a vulnerability is a security measure

Answer

A threat is a security control while a vulnerability is a software bug

Question 58

Which of the following is not considered a type of security risk?

Accepted Answer

Increased productivity

Answer

Financial loss

Answer

Data breach

Answer

Reputation damage

Question 59

What is the significance of vulnerability management in software security?

Accepted Answer

To identify, prioritize, and address vulnerabilities

Answer

To create and implement security patches

Answer

To educate users on security practices

Answer

To monitor for security incidents

Question 60

What is the primary purpose of a security audit?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the effectiveness of security controls

Answer

To identify vulnerabilities in a software system

Answer

To train security personnel

Answer

To collect information for security audits

Question 61

Which method is primarily used to protect software applications from unauthorized access?

Accepted Answer

Authentication

Answer

Encryption

Answer

Input validation

Answer

Firewalls

Question 62

Which practice is considered a cornerstone of secure software development?

Accepted Answer

Regular security audits

Answer

Extensive use of open source software

Answer

Ignoring known vulnerabilities

Answer

Skipping unit testing

Question 63

Identify a prevalent threat to web applications.

Accepted Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

Phishing

Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

Denial-of-service attacks

Question 64

Which software vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on a target system?

Accepted Answer

Buffer overflow

Answer

SQL injection

Answer

Cross-site scripting

Answer

Man-in-the-middle attack