Exam CAS-004 topic 1 question 222 discussion

The highest priority for patching should be given to the Operating System (OS) first. This is because the OS is the foundation of the workstation and critical system functions depend on it. A compromised OS could mean that all the other applications and software running on the system are exposed to risks even with patched applications. Once all security holes from the OS are patched, then the security analyst should patch the browser, email client, and password manager in that order of priority.

99% of the time, the OS SHOULD be patched first but there's always exceptions, especially in cybersecurity. The question clearly states that "the network admin has direct administrative access to the company's SSO web portal." That means if that vulnerability is not addressed first, a hacker may be able to use session hijacking or other browser-based attacks to gain access to the SSO portal where hacker can then create privileged accounts for undetected entry in the future. By the time you patch your OS, your entire organization may have already been compromised by this web vulnerability.

That's a great question focusing on risk prioritization! Given that the network administrator has direct administrative access to the company's SSO web portal, the browser (C) should be patched first. Here's why: Direct Interaction with Critical System: The browser is the primary tool the administrator would use to access the SSO web portal. A compromised browser could allow an attacker to intercept credentials, session tokens, or even directly control the administrator's session on the SSO portal. This poses an immediate and significant risk to the entire organization's security. Attack Surface: Browsers are complex applications that interact with a vast amount of untrusted content from the internet, making them a frequent target for attackers. Potential for Lateral Movement: A compromised browser can be a stepping stone for attackers to gain further access to other systems and resources the administrator has access to.

o Patching the browser should be prioritized first.  Wider attack surface: Browsers are often exposed to the internet directly, making them a prime target for attackers. Malicious websites and downloads can exploit browser vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information or install malware.  Potential for immediate exploitation: High CVSS scores on a browser often indicate critical vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by attackers without any user interaction. This makes the browser patch particularly urgent.  System-wide impact: Compromising a browser can potentially lead to other system compromises if the attacker leverages the browser's elevated privileges.

The browser is the most likely attack vector in this scenario because: 1. Direct exposure to external threats: Browsers are often used to access the internet, making them a primary target for phishing, malicious websites, and drive-by downloads. 2. SSO web portal access: The network administrator uses the browser to access the SSO web portal, which can lead to compromise of critical credentials if the browser is exploited. While important, OS vulnerabilities are less likely to be immediately exploited compared to a browser used for internet access.

OS is the answer

ChatGPT states C. Browser

OS is critical and need to patch as soon as possible, but OS often require a higher level of sophistication to exploit remotely, require local access or complex exploitation methods. OS compromise could allow full system control but might require additional steps to reach sensitive applications like the SSO portal. Browsers are frequently targeted by attackers because they are used to access the web, including the SSO web portal. Exploiting a browser vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute code, steal session cookies, or perform phishing attacks to gain access to the SSO portal and other sensitive systems. => Browsers are frequently exposed to web-based threats, compromising the browser could lead to immediate access to web-based applications, including the SSO portal, through session hijacking, credential theft, or phishing.

Patching the OS should be highest-priority Source: https://usa.kaspersky.com/blog/patching-priorities/28808/#:~:text=Operating%20systems,installed%20as%20quickly%20as%20possible.

The network administrator has direct administrative access to the company's SSO web portal, and the browser is the primary tool they use to interact with web applications, including the SSO portal. If the browser has critical vulnerabilities, it could be exploited to C: compromise the administrator's workstation and potentially gain access to sensitive systems and data through the SSO portal. Therefore, patching the browser vulnerabilities should be the first priority.

D. OS (Operating System). Explanation: OS Vulnerabilities: Operating system vulnerabilities often have broad-reaching consequences, as the OS provides the foundation for all other software running on the system. If the network administrator's workstation is compromised due to an OS vulnerability, it could lead to unauthorized access to critical systems and resources, including the SSO web portal. Browser, Email Client, and Password Manager: While vulnerabilities in these applications are also important to address, they are typically considered secondary to OS vulnerabilities. Compromising an OS can provide attackers with a higher level of control and access, potentially leading to the exploitation of other applications. Risk Prioritization: In vulnerability management, it's common to prioritize patching based on risk, which may consider factors such as the impact of exploitation, the availability of exploits, and the importance of the affected systems. Given that the network administrator has access to sensitive systems, protecting the OS is a primary concern.

By patching the operating system (OS) vulnerabilities first, you reduce the overall attack surface and mitigate potential security risks. After that, you can address the vulnerabilities in the browser, email client, and password manager in order of their severity. However, prioritizing the OS is essential to prevent attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities at the core of the system.

B: offline password manager D: OS is importan I have doubts

Given that the network administrator has direct administrative access to the company’s SSO web portal, it is crucial to prioritize the patching of vulnerabilities that can be exploited through the SSO web portal. Out of the vulnerabilities mentioned, the vulnerability in the user's browser is the most likely to be exploited through the SSO web portal. Therefore, it should be patched first to minimize the risk of a potential attacker gaining unauthorized access to the company's network.

It is required for the administrator to use browser to connect and perform work. PM is not a must-have, so I would go with browser

Password Manager Server