20 Application Security Quiz Questions and Answers

Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of input validation in application security?
A. To encrypt data before storage
B. To ensure that user-supplied data is checked and sanitized
C. To authenticate users on the login page
D. To monitor network traffic

Answer: B
Explanation: Input validation prevents attacks like SQL injection and XSS by ensuring that data conforms to expected formats, reducing the risk of malicious input exploitation.

Question 2:
Which of the following is a common vulnerability associated with insufficient logging and monitoring?
A. Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks
B. Delayed detection of security incidents
C. Overloaded server resources
D. Weak password policies

Answer: B
Explanation: Insufficient logging and monitoring can lead to undetected breaches, as it hinders the ability to identify and respond to security events in a timely manner.

Question 3:
What does Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) primarily involve?
A. Injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users
B. Stealing encryption keys from servers
C. Overloading a database with queries
D. Bypassing firewalls

Answer: A
Explanation: XSS attacks allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications, which execute in the user’s browser and can steal sensitive information.

Question 4:
In application security, what is the role of a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
A. To encrypt all incoming data packets
B. To filter and monitor HTTP traffic between a web application and the Internet
C. To manage user authentication databases
D. To optimize server performance

Answer: B
Explanation: A WAF protects web applications by detecting and blocking malicious HTTP requests, such as those from SQL injection or XSS attempts.

Question 5:
Which OWASP Top 10 category deals with broken access control?
A. A01:2021-Broken Access Control
B. A02:2021-Cryptographic Failures
C. A03:2021-Injection
D. A04:2021-Insecure Design

Answer: A
Explanation: Broken access control occurs when users can access resources they shouldn’t, such as performing actions without proper authorization, leading to data exposure.

Question 6:
What is the main goal of using HTTPS in web applications?
A. To speed up data transmission
B. To encrypt data in transit and verify the server’s identity
C. To prevent SQL injection attacks
D. To handle user sessions

Answer: B
Explanation: HTTPS uses SSL/TLS to secure communication by encrypting data and ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the connection.

Question 7:
Which attack involves tricking a user into performing unintended actions on a web application?
A. SQL Injection
B. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
C. Buffer Overflow
D. Man-in-the-Middle

Answer: B
Explanation: CSRF exploits the trust a web application has in a user’s browser by forcing the browser to send forged requests, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Question 8:
What is the purpose of implementing the principle of least privilege in application security?
A. To give users full access to all features
B. To limit user access to only what is necessary for their role
C. To encrypt all user data
D. To increase system performance

Answer: B
Explanation: The principle of least privilege minimizes potential damage from attacks by ensuring that accounts and processes have only the permissions required.

Question 9:
Which of the following best describes a security misconfiguration?
A. Using strong passwords
B. Leaving default accounts or exposing sensitive files
C. Regularly updating software
D. Implementing firewalls

Answer: B
Explanation: Security misconfigurations, such as unused ports or default credentials, create entry points for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Question 10:
How does token-based authentication improve security over traditional session-based methods?
A. By storing passwords in plain text
B. By not relying on cookies, reducing risks like session hijacking
C. By allowing unlimited login attempts
D. By disabling encryption

Answer: B
Explanation: Token-based authentication, like JWT, transmits tokens that are stateless and harder to intercept compared to session cookies, enhancing security.

Question 11:
What is a key characteristic of a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack on applications?
A. Stealing confidential data
B. Overwhelming the application with traffic to make it unavailable
C. Injecting code into databases
D. Encrypting user files

Answer: B
Explanation: DoS attacks flood the application with requests, exhausting resources and preventing legitimate users from accessing the service.

Question 12:
In secure coding, why is it important to use prepared statements for database queries?
A. To increase query speed
B. To prevent SQL injection by separating code from data
C. To log all user activities
D. To encrypt the database

Answer: B
Explanation: Prepared statements treat user input as data, not code, which helps mitigate SQL injection attacks by parameterizing queries.

Question 13:
Which vulnerability is associated with insecure deserialization?
A. Remote code execution
B. Faster data processing
C. Improved user authentication
D. Enhanced encryption

Answer: A
Explanation: Insecure deserialization can lead to remote code execution if attackers manipulate serialized objects to inject malicious code.

Question 14:
What does the term “zero trust” mean in application security?
A. Trusting all users by default
B. Verifying every request as if it originates from an untrusted source
C. Allowing unrestricted access to internal networks
D. Relying solely on firewalls

Answer: B
Explanation: Zero trust assumes no inherent trust, requiring continuous verification of users and devices to prevent lateral movement by attackers.

Question 15:
How can Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) misconfigurations lead to security issues?
A. By allowing only same-origin requests
B. By permitting unauthorized domains to access resources
C. By encrypting all cross-origin data
D. By blocking all external scripts

Answer: B
Explanation: Improper CORS policies can enable attackers to perform attacks like XSS by allowing malicious sites to request sensitive data.

Question 16:
What is the primary benefit of using secure random number generators for keys and tokens?
A. To make passwords easier to remember
B. To ensure unpredictability and resistance to guessing attacks
C. To speed up encryption processes
D. To reduce storage space

Answer: B
Explanation: Secure random generators produce unpredictable values, which are essential for creating strong cryptographic keys and tokens.

Question 17:
Which practice helps mitigate risks from outdated libraries and dependencies?
A. Regular software updates and vulnerability scanning
B. Ignoring patch notes
C. Using unlicensed software
D. Disabling all updates

Answer: A
Explanation: Keeping libraries up-to-date addresses known vulnerabilities, reducing the attack surface for exploits like those in the OWASP Top 10.

Question 18:
What is the risk of using hardcoded credentials in an application?
A. They are easy to update
B. They can be easily discovered and exploited by attackers
C. They improve performance
D. They enhance user experience

Answer: B
Explanation: Hardcoded credentials expose sensitive information in the source code, making it simple for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

Question 19:
In application security, what does “defense in depth” strategy involve?
A. Relying on a single security measure
B. Layering multiple security controls to protect against failures
C. Minimizing all security features
D. Focusing only on external threats

Answer: B
Explanation: Defense in depth uses overlapping controls, like firewalls, encryption, and access controls, to provide comprehensive protection.

Question 20:
Which type of encryption is typically used for data at rest in applications?
A. Symmetric encryption
B. Public-key encryption only
C. Hashing without keys
D. No encryption

Answer: A
Explanation: Symmetric encryption, such as AES, is efficient for encrypting large amounts of data at rest, ensuring confidentiality when stored.