Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) CybersecurityVulnerability ManagementEasy
A security auditor is performing an assessment where they have full access to the target system's configuration files, operating system details, and installed software components. This allows them to conduct a very thorough and accurate analysis without needing to guess system behaviors. What type of vulnerability assessment is being performed?
- AGrey-box assessment
- BWhite-box assessment
- CExternal-only assessment
- DBlack-box assessment
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. White-box assessment
A white-box assessment (or white-box penetration test) is characterized by the assessor having full knowledge of the target system's internal workings, including architecture, source code, and configurations. This allows for a deep and comprehensive analysis.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Grey-box assessments involve some limited knowledge, like user credentials or network diagrams, but not full internal access.
- C. An external-only assessment refers to the scope (from outside the network) and doesn't specify the level of internal knowledge provided to the assessor.
- D. Black-box assessments are conducted with no prior knowledge of the internal system, simulating an external attacker.
White-box Assessment
A type of security assessment where the assessor has full knowledge of the target system's internal structure, source code, and configurations.
- Provides maximum visibility for the assessor.
- Allows for deep code and configuration analysis.
- Often more time-efficient for comprehensive internal review.
Memory trick: Boxes of Knowledge: Black, Grey, White.