The most significant security flaw is the permit ip any any statement at the end of the access control list, which allows all unexamined traffic and effectively bypasses any intended security controls. This is because ACLs are processed sequentially from top to bottom; once a packet matches the permit ip any any rule, it is allowed through regardless of the earlier deny statements, meaning the specific SSH restrictions for the 10.1.1.0/24 and 10.1.2.0/24 subnets are rendered meaningless for any other protocol or source. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of implicit deny versus explicit permit logic, and the common trap is assuming that a deny statement for SSH is sufficient—when in reality, a broad permit at the end opens the entire network to all traffic. A helpful memory tip is "last line wins the whole network," reminding you that any permit ip any any at the end of an ACL overrides all prior restrictions.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
Router# show ip access-list EXTENDED_FILTER
Extended IP access list EXTENDED_FILTER
10 permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 any eq 22
20 permit tcp 10.1.2.0 0.0.0.255 any eq 22
30 deny tcp any any eq 22
40 permit ip any any
```
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst reviews the access list. Senior management has authorized SSH access (port 22) to external servers only from the 10.1.1.0/24 and 10.1.2.0/24 subnets. What is the most significant security flaw in this ACL?
Refer to the exhibit.
```
Router# show ip access-list EXTENDED_FILTER
Extended IP access list EXTENDED_FILTER
10 permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 any eq 22
20 permit tcp 10.1.2.0 0.0.0.255 any eq 22
30 deny tcp any any eq 22
40 permit ip any any
```
A
The destination 'any' allows SSH to any external server, which is too permissive
Why wrong: The policy is to allow SSH to external servers, so destination any might be intentional.
B
The ACL permits SSH from unauthorized IP addresses
Why wrong: Lines 10 and 20 permit only the authorized subnets; line 30 denies all other SSH.
C
The ACL sequence is illogical; line 30 should be before lines 10 and 20
Why wrong: ACLs process in sequence; lines 10 and 20 permit first, so line 30 only catches others. This is correct logic.
D
The permit ip any any at the end allows all unexamined traffic, potentially bypassing other security controls
A broad permit all at the end can mask unintended traffic. Better practice is to explicitly deny any traffic not permitted.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The permit ip any any at the end allows all unexamined traffic, potentially bypassing other security controls
Option D is correct. The ACL permits all other traffic (line 40) after denying SSH from other sources. This bypasses any additional restrictions; the intent might be to allow only specific IPs for SSH, but the permit ip any any at the end allows all other traffic, which could include other unwanted protocols. Option A is incorrect because line 40 permits everything. Option B is wrong because the source is correctly the internal subnets. Option C is wrong because ACLs are sequence-dependent, but line 30 only denies SSH from other sources.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The destination 'any' allows SSH to any external server, which is too permissive
Why it's wrong here
The policy is to allow SSH to external servers, so destination any might be intentional.
✗
The ACL permits SSH from unauthorized IP addresses
Why it's wrong here
Lines 10 and 20 permit only the authorized subnets; line 30 denies all other SSH.
✗
The ACL sequence is illogical; line 30 should be before lines 10 and 20
Why it's wrong here
ACLs process in sequence; lines 10 and 20 permit first, so line 30 only catches others. This is correct logic.
✓
The permit ip any any at the end allows all unexamined traffic, potentially bypassing other security controls
Why this is correct
A broad permit all at the end can mask unintended traffic. Better practice is to explicitly deny any traffic not permitted.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The permit ip any any at the end allows all unexamined traffic, potentially bypassing other security controls — Option D is correct. The ACL permits all other traffic (line 40) after denying SSH from other sources. This bypasses any additional restrictions; the intent might be to allow only specific IPs for SSH, but the permit ip any any at the end allows all other traffic, which could include other unwanted protocols. Option A is incorrect because line 40 permits everything. Option B is wrong because the source is correctly the internal subnets. Option C is wrong because ACLs are sequence-dependent, but line 30 only denies SSH from other sources.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-201 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. A Cisco router is configured with the shown access list applied inbound on the external interface. An external attacker sends a packet with source IP 10.0.0.1, destination IP 192.168.1.100, destination port 22. What will the router do?
hard
A.Forward the packet to the next hop
B.Permit the packet only if it is HTTP
C.Permit the packet
✓ D.Drop the packet
Why D: Option A is correct because the ACL has a specific deny for SSH (port 22) to host 192.168.1.100, which matches this packet. The packet will be dropped. Option B is wrong because the permit any any only applies if no previous deny matches. Option C is wrong because there is no such rule about port 80. Option D is wrong because the packet is not forwarded.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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