What does Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) help mitigate within a virtual machine?

Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) is a powerful security technique that operates at the hypervisor level, allowing for monitoring and analysis of the state of virtual machines (VMs) without requiring agent software to be installed within those VMs. This isolation is key to enhancing security measures.

The correct answer addresses how VMI helps mitigate risks associated with changes to the security configuration within a virtual machine. When security baselines are modified—intentionally or unintentionally—it can create vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit. By using VMI, security teams can inspect and verify the state of a VM's configurations in real-time, allowing them to detect unauthorized modifications to security policies, software installations, or any deviations from a defined security baseline.

In contrast, the other options do not align as closely with VMI's primary function. For instance, while VMI may inadvertently assist in detecting software vulnerabilities, its focus is not on patching or fixing these vulnerabilities directly. Similarly, user access issues typically involve credential management and identity verification processes, which VMI does not address directly. Hardware failures are outside the scope of VMI, as it operates on the software layer, distinct from hardware considerations. Therefore, the emphasis of VMI on maintaining and monitoring security baselines makes it