The correct action is to verify if the target host is vulnerable. This is because the alert “WEB-MISC Attempt to execute command on server” indicates a potential command injection attempt against the web server at 192.168.1.100 on port 80, and the first step in responding to a command execution alert is to confirm whether the target is actually susceptible to such an attack. If the host is vulnerable, the alert is a true positive requiring immediate remediation; if not, it is likely a false positive that can be dismissed. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of the network intrusion analysis process, specifically the principle of validating alerts before taking irreversible actions. A common trap is jumping to block the source IP 10.0.0.1 without first assessing the target’s security posture, which wastes resources on false alarms. Remember: verify before you rectify—always check vulnerability first.
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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.
An analyst sees an alert with source IP 10.0.0.1 and destination IP 192.168.1.100 on port 80. The alert type is 'WEB-MISC Attempt to execute command on server'. Which action is most appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify if the target host is vulnerable
Option A is correct because the alert 'WEB-MISC Attempt to execute command on server' from source IP 10.0.0.1 to destination IP 192.168.1.100 on port 80 indicates a potential command injection attempt against a web server. The most appropriate first action is to verify if the target host is actually vulnerable to such an attack, as this determines whether the alert is a true positive requiring remediation or a false positive that can be dismissed. This aligns with the network intrusion analysis process of validating alerts before taking irreversible actions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Verify if the target host is vulnerable
Why this is correct
Correct. Checking the vulnerability status helps determine if the alert is a real threat.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ignore because it's a false positive
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Ignoring without analysis could miss a real attack.
✗
Immediately block the source IP
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Blocking without verification may impact legitimate traffic.
✗
Escalate to law enforcement
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Escalation is premature without internal investigation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the candidate's ability to prioritize verification over immediate action, trapping those who choose to block or escalate without confirming the alert's validity, especially when the alert type suggests a high-severity attack like command injection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Command injection attacks exploit insufficient input validation in web applications, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary system commands on the server via HTTP requests (e.g., through GET parameters or POST data). The Snort rule 'WEB-MISC Attempt to execute command on server' typically matches patterns like 'cmd.exe' or '|' in the URI, but false positives can occur from legitimate administrative tools or monitoring scripts that send similar strings. Verifying the target host's vulnerability involves checking if the web application sanitizes inputs, reviewing server logs for the actual request payload, and assessing whether the target runs a known vulnerable version of software like Apache or IIS.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Verify if the target host is vulnerable — Option A is correct because the alert 'WEB-MISC Attempt to execute command on server' from source IP 10.0.0.1 to destination IP 192.168.1.100 on port 80 indicates a potential command injection attempt against a web server. The most appropriate first action is to verify if the target host is actually vulnerable to such an attack, as this determines whether the alert is a true positive requiring remediation or a false positive that can be dismissed. This aligns with the network intrusion analysis process of validating alerts before taking irreversible actions.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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