- A
HTTP headers
HTTP headers can be inspected by AWS WAF, as it evaluates rules against header values like User-Agent or Authorization.
- B
Query string parameters
Query string parameters can be inspected through pattern matching on key-value pairs in the URL query string.
- C
SSL certificate of the client
Why wrong: SSL certificate of the client cannot be inspected by AWS WAF; TLS termination occurs at the ALB, and WAF only sees decrypted traffic.
- D
Request body of HTTPS requests
The request body of HTTPS requests is not inspectable by AWS WAF by default; it requires enabling body inspection, which is not a standard capability and has size constraints. Therefore, this is not one of the three common inspects.
- E
URI path
URI path can be inspected using string matching rules, allowing blocking of specific paths.
Which Parts of an HTTP Request Can AWS WAF Inspect?
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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. A key principle to apply: aWS WAF Inspection Capabilities. 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 wants to use AWS WAF to protect a web application behind an Application Load Balancer. Which of the following can AWS WAF inspect? (Choose THREE.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
HTTP headers
AWS WAF can inspect HTTP headers (option A), query string parameters (option B), request body of HTTPS requests (option D), and URI path (option E). Therefore, all four options are correct. However, the question asks to choose three, so candidates may select any three of these.
Key principle: AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
HTTP headers
Why this is correct
HTTP headers can be inspected by AWS WAF, as it evaluates rules against header values like User-Agent or Authorization.
Related concept
AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
- ✓
Query string parameters
Why this is correct
Query string parameters can be inspected through pattern matching on key-value pairs in the URL query string.
Related concept
AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
- ✗
SSL certificate of the client
Why it's wrong here
SSL certificate of the client cannot be inspected by AWS WAF; TLS termination occurs at the ALB, and WAF only sees decrypted traffic.
- ✓
Request body of HTTPS requests
Why this is correct
The request body of HTTPS requests is not inspectable by AWS WAF by default; it requires enabling body inspection, which is not a standard capability and has size constraints. Therefore, this is not one of the three common inspects.
Related concept
AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
- ✓
URI path
Why this is correct
URI path can be inspected using string matching rules, allowing blocking of specific paths.
Related concept
AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly think that the request body of HTTPS requests can be inspected by WAF, but by default WAF does not inspect the body; this requires explicit configuration and has limitations. The question asks for three capabilities, and body inspection is not a guaranteed capability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS WAF operates at Layer 7 and inspects the decrypted HTTP request after the ALB terminates TLS. The inspection is limited to the first 8 KB of the request body by default, and larger bodies require a custom configuration with a maximum of 64 KB using a rule action to reject oversized bodies. The URI path, headers, and query string are always fully inspectable because they are part of the HTTP request line and headers, which are not size-limited in the same way as the body.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review aWS WAF Inspection Capabilities, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: HTTP headers — AWS WAF can inspect HTTP headers (option A), query string parameters (option B), request body of HTTPS requests (option D), and URI path (option E). Therefore, all four options are correct. However, the question asks to choose three, so candidates may select any three of these.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review aWS WAF Inspection Capabilities, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AWS WAF Inspection Capabilities
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SOA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SOA-C02 exam.
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