200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
While analyzing a PCAP, an analyst uses the Wireshark filter 'http.request' and finds a URI parameter containing '%27%20UNION%20SELECT%201,2,3%20--'. What type of attack is indicated?
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
✓
SQL injection
The URL-encoded string decodes to a SQL injection attempt with UNION SELECT. SQL injection often appears in HTTP parameters.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cross-site scripting (XSS)
Why it's wrong here
XSS uses script tags, not SQL keywords.
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SQL injection
Why this is correct
The URI parameter `%27%20UNION%20SELECT%201,2,3%20--` is URL-encoded, where `%27` decodes to a single quote (`'`), `%20` to a space, and `--` to an SQL comment. This payload injects a single quote to break out of a string context, then appends a `UNION SELECT` statement to retrieve arbitrary data, with the comment `--` suppressing the remainder of the original query. This directly satisfies the constraint of manipulating SQL syntax via user-supplied input, confirming SQL injection.
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Command injection
Why it's wrong here
Command injection appends shell metacharacters such as semicolons or pipes to execute OS commands, and the payload contains none. UNION SELECT and the trailing comment are SQL syntax, indicating the parameter is concatenated into a database query, which is SQL injection rather than shell execution.
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Directory traversal
Why it's wrong here
Directory traversal uses ../ sequences to escape the web root and read arbitrary files, which this payload lacks. UNION SELECT with a comment marker manipulates a backend SQL query, so the attack is SQL injection; traversal targets file paths, not database statements.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-201 exam.