CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

Which of the following security concerns can arise from buffer overflows?

1. Costly software licenses

2. Exposing the company to liability

3. Insufficient vendor support

4. High maintenance costs

The correct answer is: Exposing the company to liability

Buffer overflow vulnerabilities can lead to significant security breaches and data integrity problems, which may expose a company to liability. When a buffer overflow occurs, an attacker can manipulate memory to execute arbitrary code, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems, or even compromising the entire network. This direct impact on the security posture of the organization places it at risk of legal and financial repercussions should an attack occur, especially if the company fails to take necessary precautions or proper security measures were not implemented. Legal liability can stem from various directions, such as failing to protect user data under regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. If sensitive customer information is leaked due to a buffer overflow, affected individuals or organizations might pursue legal action against the company for negligence. Other options like costly software licenses, insufficient vendor support, or high maintenance costs, while they may present challenges for an organization, do not directly stem from the security implications of a buffer overflow. These concerns are more related to the economic impact of software choices and support issues rather than the legal and security repercussions that can arise specifically from security vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows.