The correct action is to create a WAF rule with a SQL injection match condition and set the action to block. AWS WAF’s SQL injection match condition inspects incoming request parameters, such as query strings or body content, for malicious SQL patterns, and when paired with a block action, it stops those requests before they reach the Application Load Balancer. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of where WAF operates—at the edge or load balancer layer—versus host-level controls. A common trap is confusing AWS WAF with Shield Advanced, which handles DDoS mitigation, or GuardDuty, which detects threats post-event but does not block inline. Remember that WAF rules are always applied to web traffic at the ALB, CloudFront, or API Gateway level, never on EC2 instances directly. Memory tip: WAF = Web Application Firewall, so think “Web” for SQL injection blocking, not host-level or network-layer tools.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is using AWS WAF to protect a web application behind an Application Load Balancer. The Security Engineer wants to block requests that contain SQL injection attacks. Which action should the Engineer take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a WAF rule with a SQL injection match condition and set the action to block.
Option D is correct because AWS WAF has managed rules for SQL injection that can be enabled with a block action. Option A is wrong because WAF rules are not applied at the EC2 instance level. Option B is wrong because Shield Advanced provides DDoS protection, not SQL injection detection. Option C is wrong because GuardDuty is for threat detection, not inline blocking of web requests.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable AWS Shield Advanced to automatically block SQL injection attacks.
Why it's wrong here
Shield Advanced is for DDoS protection, not application-layer attacks like SQL injection.
✓
Create a WAF rule with a SQL injection match condition and set the action to block.
Why this is correct
AWS WAF can inspect HTTP requests and block SQL injection patterns.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use Amazon GuardDuty to detect and block SQL injection attempts.
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not a web application firewall.
✗
Configure the security group of the EC2 instances to block traffic containing SQL injection patterns.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not inspect packet payloads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a WAF rule with a SQL injection match condition and set the action to block. — Option D is correct because AWS WAF has managed rules for SQL injection that can be enabled with a block action. Option A is wrong because WAF rules are not applied at the EC2 instance level. Option B is wrong because Shield Advanced provides DDoS protection, not SQL injection detection. Option C is wrong because GuardDuty is for threat detection, not inline blocking of web requests.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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