The correct answer is SQL injection, as the Snort rule detects this attack by matching the pattern 'union select' within the HTTP request body. This pattern is a hallmark of a UNION-based SQL injection, where an attacker appends a UNION SELECT statement to a legitimate query to extract data from other database tables. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your ability to interpret Snort rule syntax and map content matches to specific attack categories—a key skill for intrusion analysis. A common trap is confusing SQL injection with cross-site scripting (XSS), but remember that SQL injection targets database queries, while XSS manipulates client-side scripts. For a quick memory tip, think "UNION = database union" to link the rule's content match directly to SQL injection.
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
alert tcp $EXTERNAL_NET any -> $HTTP_SERVERS $HTTP_PORTS (msg:'SQL Injection Attempt'; content:'UNION SELECT'; nocase; sid:12345;)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SQL injection
Option C is correct because the Snort rule detects SQL injection by matching the pattern 'union select' in the HTTP request body. SQL injection attacks manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL statements, and the rule's content match for 'union select' is a classic indicator of a UNION-based SQL injection attempt.
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.
✗
Cross-site scripting
Why it's wrong here
XSS typically uses script tags or JavaScript, not SQL keywords.
✗
Buffer overflow
Why it's wrong here
Buffer overflow attacks exploit memory corruption, not SQL commands.
✓
SQL injection
Why this is correct
UNION SELECT is a SQL injection technique used to combine query results.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Directory traversal
Why it's wrong here
Directory traversal uses ../ or similar path sequences.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the ability to distinguish attack types by their payload signatures, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse SQL injection with cross-site scripting because both involve injecting code into web applications, but the specific payload (SQL keywords vs. HTML/JavaScript) is the key differentiator.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
XSS typically uses script tags or JavaScript, not SQL keywords.
Similar concept trap
Directory traversal uses ../ or similar path sequences.
Command / output trap
Buffer overflow attacks exploit memory corruption, not SQL commands.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Snort rules use the 'content' keyword to match specific byte sequences in packet payloads. The rule likely includes 'content:"union select"; nocase;' within an HTTP request body (e.g., via 'pcre' or 'http_client_body' modifier). In real-world scenarios, attackers often use UNION-based SQL injection to extract data from other tables, and this rule catches the common pattern without needing complex SQL parsing.
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: SQL injection — Option C is correct because the Snort rule detects SQL injection by matching the pattern 'union select' in the HTTP request body. SQL injection attacks manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL statements, and the rule's content match for 'union select' is a classic indicator of a UNION-based SQL injection attempt.
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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