What is called a password that is the same for each log-on session?
Correct Answer: C
Section: Access Control Explanation/Reference: Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 36.
Question 2
Why do buffer overflows happen? What is the main cause?
Correct Answer: B
Section: Access Control Explanation/Reference: Buffer Overflow attack takes advantage of improper parameter checking within the application. This is the classic form of buffer overflow and occurs because the programmer accepts whatever input the user supplies without checking to make sure that the length of the input is less than the size of the buffer in the program. The buffer overflow problem is one of the oldest and most common problems in software development and programming, dating back to the introduction of interactive computing. It can result when a program fills up the assigned buffer of memory with more data than its buffer can hold. When the program begins to write beyond the end of the buffer, the program's execution path can be changed, or data can be written into areas used by the operating system itself. This can lead to the insertion of malicious code that can be used to gain administrative privileges on the program or system. As explained by Gaurab, it can become very complex. At the time of input even if you are checking the length of the input, it has to be check against the buffer size. Consider a case where entry point of data is stored in Buffer1 of Application1 and then you copy it to Buffer2 within Application2 later on, if you are just checking the length of data against Buffer1, it will not ensure that it will not cause a buffer overflow in Buffer2 of Application2. A bit of reassurance from the ISC2 book about level of Coding Knowledge needed for the exam: It should be noted that the CISSP is not required to be an expert programmer or know the inner workings of developing application software code, like the FORTRAN programming language, or how to develop Web applet code using Java. It is not even necessary that the CISSP know detailed security-specific coding practices such as the major divisions of buffer overflow exploits or the reason for preferring str(n)cpy to strcpy in the C language (although all such knowledge is, of course, helpful). Because the CISSP may be the person responsible for ensuring that security is included in such developments, the CISSP should know the basic procedures and concepts involved during the design and development of software programming. That is, in order for the CISSP to monitor the software development process and verify that security is included, the CISSP must understand the fundamental concepts of programming developments and the security strengths and weaknesses of various application development processes. The following are incorrect answers: "Because buffers can only hold so much data" is incorrect. This is certainly true but is not the best answer because the finite size of the buffer is not the problem -- the problem is that the programmer did not check the size of the input before moving it into the buffer. "Because they are an easy weakness to exploit" is incorrect. This answer is sometimes true but is not the best answer because the root cause of the buffer overflow is that the programmer did not check the size of the user input. "Because of insufficient system memory" is incorrect. This is irrelevant to the occurrence of a buffer overflow. Reference(s) used for this question: Hernandez CISSP, Steven (2012-12-21). Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK, Third Edition ((ISC)2 Press) (Kindle Locations 13319-13323). Auerbach Publications. Kindle Edition.
Question 3
Who is responsible for implementing user clearances in computer-based information systems at the B3 level of the TCSEC rating ?
Correct Answer: A
Security administrator functions include user-oriented activities such as setting user clearances, setting initial password, setting other security characteristics for new users or changing security profiles for existing users. Data owners have the ultimate responsibility for protecting data, thus determining proper user access rights to data. Source: TIPTON, Hal, (ISC)2, Introduction to the CISSP Exam presentation.
Question 4
What security model implies a central authority that define rules and sometimes global rules, dictating what subjects can have access to what objects?
Correct Answer: D
Explanation/Reference: As a security administrator you might configure user profiles so that users cannot change the system's time, alter system configuration files, access a command prompt, or install unapproved applications. This type of access control is referred to as nondiscretionary, meaning that access decisions are not made at the discretion of the user. Nondiscretionary access controls are put into place by an authoritative entity (usually a security administrator) with the goal of protecting the organization's most critical assets. Non-discretionary access control is when a central authority determines what subjects can have access to what objects based on the organizational security policy. Centralized access control is not an existing security model. Both, Rule Based Access Control (RuBAC or RBAC) and Role Based Access Controls (RBAC) falls into this category. Reference(s) used for this question: Harris, Shon (2012-10-18). CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, 6th Edition (p. 221). McGraw-Hill. Kindle Edition. and KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, Chapter 2: Access control systems (page 33).
Question 5
A timely review of system access audit records would be an example of which of the basic security functions?
Correct Answer: D
Section: Access Control Explanation/Reference: By reviewing system logs you can detect events that have occured. The following answers are incorrect: avoidance. This is incorrect, avoidance is a distractor. By reviewing system logs you have not avoided anything. deterrence. This is incorrect because system logs are a history of past events. You cannot deter something that has already occurred. prevention. This is incorrect because system logs are a history of past events. You cannot prevent something that has already occurred.
