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SY0-501 · Question #48

An attacker discovers a new vulnerability in an enterprise application. The attacker takes advantage of the vulnerability by developing new malware. After installing the malware the attacker is…

The correct answer is A. Zero-day exploit. The scenario describes an attacker exploiting a newly discovered vulnerability with custom malware to gain access, which is characteristic of a zero-day exploit.

Submitted by hans_de· Mar 4, 2026Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations

Question

An attacker discovers a new vulnerability in an enterprise application. The attacker takes advantage of the vulnerability by developing new malware. After installing the malware the attacker is provided with access to the infected machine. Which of the following is being described?

Options

  • AZero-day exploit
  • BRemote code execution
  • CSession hijacking
  • DCommand injection

How the community answered

(27 responses)
  • A
    78% (21)
  • B
    11% (3)
  • C
    7% (2)
  • D
    4% (1)

Why each option

The scenario describes an attacker exploiting a newly discovered vulnerability with custom malware to gain access, which is characteristic of a zero-day exploit.

AZero-day exploitCorrect

A zero-day exploit refers to an attack that takes advantage of a security vulnerability on the same day the vulnerability becomes known, meaning there is no patch or fix available. The description explicitly states the attacker discovers a 'new vulnerability' and immediately develops 'new malware' to exploit it, providing access before defenders have a chance to mitigate it.

BRemote code execution

Remote code execution describes the *outcome* of an exploit where an attacker can execute arbitrary code on a target machine, but it doesn't specifically describe the 'newly discovered vulnerability' aspect of the attack type itself.

CSession hijacking

Session hijacking involves an attacker taking over an active user session, which is not what is described when the attacker discovers a new vulnerability and installs malware to gain initial access.

DCommand injection

Command injection is a specific type of vulnerability where an attacker injects operating system commands into an application, which is a particular method of exploitation and not the overarching description of exploiting a 'new vulnerability' with 'new malware'.

Concept tested: Zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/cisa-releases-guidance-vulnerability-management-and-zero-day-vulnerabilities

Topics

#zero-day exploit#malware#vulnerability exploitation#remote access

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