Pseudo Flaw: Definition and Importance | SSCP Exam Study Guide

Understanding Pseudo Flaw in SSCP Certification Exam

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Question

A 'Pseudo flaw' is which of the following?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

A.

A Pseudo flaw is something that looks like it is vulnerable to attack, but really acts as an alarm or triggers automatic actions when an intruder attempts to exploit the flaw.

The following answers are incorrect: An omission when generating Psuedo-code.

Is incorrect because it is a distractor.

Used for testing for bounds violations in application programming.

Is incorrect, this is a testing methodology.

A normally generated page fault causing the system to halt.

This is incorrect because it is distractor.

A "Pseudo flaw" is not a commonly used term in the field of cybersecurity or computer programming. However, based on the options provided, we can try to understand what each option means and which one could be considered a "Pseudo flaw."

A. An apparent loophole deliberately implanted in an operating system program as a trap for intruders. This option describes a security mechanism known as a "Honey Pot." It is a decoy system set up by security administrators to attract hackers and intruders, with the intention of monitoring and gathering information about their behavior. The purpose of a Honey Pot is not to create a flaw or vulnerability but rather to lure potential attackers away from the actual system being protected. Therefore, this option cannot be considered a "Pseudo flaw."

B. An omission when generating Psuedo-code. Pseudo-code is a type of code that describes a program's logic in plain language without using specific programming syntax. It is used to plan and design software before actual coding begins. An omission in pseudo-code could lead to errors in the actual code when it is implemented. However, this is not a flaw in the software itself, but rather an issue in the planning phase. Therefore, this option cannot be considered a "Pseudo flaw."

C. Used for testing for bounds violations in application programming. Bounds violations occur when a program tries to access a memory location outside the allocated space. It can cause system crashes or allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. Testing for bounds violations is a common practice in software development to ensure the program's security and stability. However, this is not a flaw in the software but rather a testing method to identify and prevent flaws. Therefore, this option cannot be considered a "Pseudo flaw."

D. A normally generated page fault causing the system to halt. A page fault occurs when a program requests data from memory that is not currently in physical RAM. The system then retrieves the data from disk and loads it into RAM, causing a brief delay. A page fault is a normal occurrence and is not considered a flaw in the system. However, if a malicious program intentionally generates a page fault to cause the system to crash, it could be considered a "Pseudo flaw" because it is not a real flaw in the system's design or implementation.

Based on the above analysis, the correct answer to the question is option D - "A normally generated page fault causing the system to halt" could be considered a "Pseudo flaw" if intentionally triggered by a malicious program.