Free Secure-Software-Design Exam Braindumps
WGU Secure Software Design (D487, KEO1) Questions 21–25 (page: 6)

Updated On: 11-Feb-2026

What is a countermeasure to the web application security frame (ASF) authentication threat category?

  1. Role-based access controls restrict access
  2. Credentials and tokens are encrypted.
  3. Cookies have expiration timestamps.
  4. Sensitive information is scrubbed from error messages

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

ASF Authentication Threats: The Web Application Security Frame (ASF) authentication category encompasses threats related to how users and systems prove their identity to the application. This includes issues like weak passwords, compromised credentials, and inadequate access controls. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): RBAC is a well-established security principle that aligns closely with addressing authentication threats. It involves assigning users to roles and granting those roles specific permissions based on the principle of least privilege. This limits the attack surface and reduces the impact of a compromised user account.

Let's analyze the other options:
B . Credentials and tokens are encrypted: While vital for security, encryption primarily protects data at rest or in transit. It doesn't directly address authentication risks like brute-force attacks or weak password management.
C . Cookies have expiration timestamps: Expiring cookies are a good practice, but their primary benefit is session management rather than directly mitigating authentication-specific threats. D . Sensitive information is scrubbed from error messages: While essential for preventing information leakage, this practice doesn't address the core threats within the ASF authentication category.


Reference:

NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4, Access Control (AC) Family:
(https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-4/final) Details the importance of RBAC as a cornerstone of access control.
The Web Application Security Frame (ASF): (https://patents.google.com/patent/US7818788B2/en) Outlines the ASF categories, with authentication being one of the primary areas.



Which mitigation technique is used to fight against an identity spoofing threat?

  1. Require user authorization
  2. Filtering
  3. Audit trails
  4. Encryption

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

To combat identity spoofing threats, a mitigation technique that is often used is requiring user authorization. This involves implementing strong authentication methods to verify the identity of users before granting access to sensitive information or systems. Techniques such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) are effective in reducing the risk of unauthorized access, as they require users to provide multiple pieces of evidence to confirm their identity, making it much harder for attackers to spoof an identity successfully.


Reference:

Best practices for preventing spoofing attacks, including the use of antivirus and firewall tools, and the importance of strong authentication methods like 2FA and MFA1. The National Security Agency's guidance on identity theft threats and mitigations, emphasizing the need for personal protection and strong authentication measures2. Discussion on the effectiveness of strong authentication methods in protecting against spoofing attacks3.
The role of comprehensive identity verification and authentication strategies in preventing AI- enhanced identity fraud4.



Which mitigation technique can be used to light against a threat where a user may gain access to administrator level functionality?

  1. Encryption
  2. Quality of service
  3. Hashes
  4. Run with least privilege

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The principle of running with the least privilege is a fundamental security concept that involves granting users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks and no more. This minimizes the risk of a user gaining access to administrator-level functionality that they are not authorized to use. By limiting the privileges of user accounts to the bare minimum necessary, the potential damage from various attacks, such as privilege escalation, is significantly reduced.


Reference:

The concept of least privilege is widely recognized as a critical security measure. Resources like Exabeam's article on preventing privilege escalation and TechTarget's guide on privilege escalation attacks provide insights into how enforcing least privilege can mitigate such threats12. These sources verify that running with the least privilege is an effective mitigation technique against the threat of unauthorized access to elevated privileges.



What is the privacy impact rating of an application that stores personally identifiable information, monitors users with ongoing transfers of anonymous data, and changes settings without notifying the user?

  1. P1 high privacy risk
  2. P2 moderate privacy risk
  3. P3 low privacy risk
  4. P4 no privacy risk

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The privacy impact rating for an application that stores personally identifiable information (PII), monitors users with ongoing transfers of anonymous data, and changes settings without notifying the user would be P1 high privacy risk. Storing PII already poses a significant risk due to the potential for data breaches and misuse. Monitoring users and transferring data, even if anonymous, increases the risk as it involves ongoing data collection. Changing settings without user notification is a serious privacy concern because it can lead to unauthorized data processing or sharing, further elevating the risk level.


Reference:

Practical Data Security and Privacy for GDPR and CCPA - ISACA1. Privacy risk assessment and privacy-preserving data monitoring2. How To Effectively Monitor Your Privacy Program: A New Series3.



In which step of the PASTA threat modeling methodology will the team capture infrastructure, application, and software dependencies?

  1. Attack modeling
  2. Define technical scope
  3. Define objectives
  4. Risk and impact analysis

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The step of the PASTA threat modeling methodology where the team will capture infrastructure, application, and software dependencies is the Define technical scope step. This step involves detailing the technical elements of the project, which includes understanding and documenting the infrastructure, applications, and software dependencies that are critical to the system's operation and security.


Reference:

The PASTA (Process for Attack Simulation and Threat Analysis) threat modeling methodology is a seven-step process that includes defining the technical scope as a critical step for capturing the necessary technical details of the system being analyzed123.



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