Which of the following is an example of a system flaw?
There is no audit trail to determine which employee changed data
A buffer overflow gives the software wider access and allows malicious code to be added
A hard drive is not adequatel vented and overheats
A sprinkler system malfunctions and soaks a hard drive
A buffer overflow gives the software wider access and allows malicious code to be added.
The example of a system flaw among the choices mentioned is "There is no audit trail to determine which employee changed data."
An example of a system flaw from the options you provided is: A buffer overflow gives the software wider access and allows malicious code to be added.
To identify a system flaw, you need to understand the concept and characteristics of a flaw. A system flaw refers to any weakness, vulnerability, or defect in a system that can lead to unintended behavior or potential harm. Let's break down the options you provided to understand why the other options are not examples of system flaws:
1. There is no audit trail to determine which employee changed data: While the absence of an audit trail can be considered a security weakness or limitation in a system, it does not fall into the category of a system flaw. It may hinder accountability or traceability, but it does not directly compromise system functionality or integrity.
2. A hard drive is not adequately vented and overheats: This is an example of a hardware issue rather than a system flaw. While an inadequately vented hard drive can lead to overheating, which can impact system performance and potentially cause data loss, it is not inherently a flaw within the system itself.
3. A sprinkler system malfunctions and soaks a hard drive: Similar to the second option, this describes a hardware-related incident rather than a system flaw. The sprinkler system malfunction can damage the hardware components, such as a hard drive, but it does not stem from a flaw in the system design or implementation.
Now, let's focus on the selected option:
4. A buffer overflow gives the software wider access and allows malicious code to be added: This scenario represents a classic system flaw commonly exploited by hackers and malicious actors. A buffer overflow occurs when a program or process tries to store more data in a buffer (temporary memory storage) than it can handle, leading to memory corruption. This can potentially allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access, control, or inject malicious code into the system. It is a significant vulnerability that needs to be addressed for secure and reliable software operation.
In conclusion, among the provided options, the example of a system flaw is the second option: A buffer overflow gives the software wider access and allows malicious code to be added.