About this previous year paper
This question paper belongs to B.Tech Semester IV – Computer System Security (KNC-401).
The total marks are 100, and the duration is 3 hours.
The question paper is divided into three structured sections — A, B, and C.
Each section tests a different level of understanding:
Section A: Basic concepts and short theoretical definitions
Section B: Detailed explanations and comparative answers
Section C: Application-based, analytical, and advanced security topics
Students must attempt all sections. Wherever necessary, missing data may be assumed suitably.
2. Section A – Short & Fundamental Questions (20 Marks)
This section contains 10 questions, each of 2 marks, focusing on core security concepts.
Answers must be brief but conceptually accurate.
Topics covered include:
● Threat vs Vulnerability
Understanding differences between security risks and system weaknesses.
● Integer Overflow
Explaining how arithmetic limits cause security bugs.
● Anti-XSS Tools
Advanced tools that protect applications from Cross Site Scripting.
● IDS vs IPS
Monitoring vs prevention-based network security approaches.
● Web Security
Basic mechanisms to secure web applications.
● Benefits of IPSec
Confidentiality, authentication, integrity, and secure tunnels.
● Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption
Difference in keys, speed, and use cases.
● Three-way Handshake
TCP connection establishment process.
● Firewall
Definition, purpose, and typical usages.
● RIP vs OSPF
Differences between distance-vector and link-state routing protocols.
This section evaluates foundational knowledge and basic terminologies of security.
3. Section B – Detailed Descriptive Questions (30 Marks)
Students must attempt any three questions, each carrying 10 marks.
These require deeper explanation, examples, use cases, and structured answers.
Topics include:
● Control Hijacking & Buffer Overflow
How attackers manipulate control flow and how memory vulnerabilities are exploited.
● Access Control Comparison
Windows vs UNIX permissions, ACLs, file systems, and user models.
● Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Definition, workflow, and defense mechanisms (tokens, same-site cookies, etc.).
● IP Security (IPSec)
Security architecture, AH/ESP, transport vs tunnel mode.
● Packet Filtering Firewalls
Definition, types (stateless, stateful), filtering rules.
This section checks understanding of real-world attacks, defenses, protocols, and OS security mechanisms.
4. Section C – Advanced & Application-Based Questions (50 Marks)
This section contains five parts (Q3–Q7), each with two options, and students must attempt one option from each part.
Each question carries 10 marks.
Part 3 – System Vulnerabilities
Choice between:
● Vulnerability Management
Steps in identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring threats.
OR
● Format String Vulnerability
How improper format string usage leads to memory disclosure or code execution.
Part 4 – System Call & Virtualization Security
Choice between:
● System Call Interposition
Intercepting system calls for security monitoring.
OR
● VM-Based Isolation
Using virtual machines to isolate processes and applications.
Part 5 – Web Attacks & Threat Modelling
Choice between:
● Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Types of XSS, vulnerability scanning, payload injections.
OR
● Threat Modelling
Steps, methodologies (STRIDE, DREAD), risk evaluation.
Part 6 – Cryptographic Algorithms
Choice between:
● SHA-512 Algorithm
Step-by-step explanation of hashing operations.
OR
● RSA Algorithm
Working of encryption and decryption (with P=3, Q=11, plaintext=5).
Part 7 – Network & Link Layer Security
Choice between:
● Routing Security
Protecting routing protocols against spoofing, poisoning, manipulation.
OR
● Link Layer & TCP/IP Connectivity
Understanding communication at hardware and network layers.
This section tests deep knowledge, reasoning, algorithmic understanding, and real application of security mechanisms.
Final Summary (WHAT THIS DESCRIPTION MEANS)
This WHAT DESCRIPTION explains:
Structure of the question paper
Purpose of each section
Types of questions asked
Core concepts being tested
Expected depth of answers
It gives a complete, long, formal explanation of the entire KNC-401 exam structure.