The answer is that the firewall rule order is incorrect, because cloud firewalls process rules sequentially from top to bottom, and the first rule blocking all SSH traffic from any source is evaluated before the second rule permitting SSH from the internal 10.0.0.0/16 network. This means any SSH attempt from outside that range—such as from a remote location—is dropped immediately, never reaching the permissive rule. On the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of stateful versus stateless filtering and the critical importance of rule sequencing in cloud security groups. A common trap is assuming that a permissive rule later in the list will override an earlier deny, but firewalls stop at the first match. Remember the mnemonic “First match wins, so place your permits before your denies” to avoid this misconfiguration.
CV0-004 Troubleshooting Practice Question
This CV0-004 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator is unable to SSH into a cloud server with IP 10.0.1.10 from a remote location (outside the 10.0.0.0/16 network). What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The firewall rule order is incorrect
Option D is correct because firewall rules are evaluated in order; the first rule drops all SSH traffic from any source, then the second only permits internal traffic. Option A is wrong because the error is not about the SSH service. Option B is wrong because the second rule shows some packets accepted. Option C is wrong because host key issues would cause a different error.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 firewall rule order is incorrect
Why this is correct
The drop rule appears before the allow rule, so external traffic is dropped before reaching the allow rule.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The firewall is dropping all packets on port 22
Why it's wrong here
The second rule accepts SSH from internal network, so not all packets are dropped.
✗
The SSH host key has changed
Why it's wrong here
A changed host key would cause a warning, not a connection failure.
✗
The SSH service is not running
Why it's wrong here
The SSH service might be running but blocked by firewall.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related CV0-004 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Troubleshooting — This question tests Troubleshooting — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The firewall rule order is incorrect — Option D is correct because firewall rules are evaluated in order; the first rule drops all SSH traffic from any source, then the second only permits internal traffic. Option A is wrong because the error is not about the SSH service. Option B is wrong because the second rule shows some packets accepted. Option C is wrong because host key issues would cause a different error.
What should I do if I get this CV0-004 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related CV0-004 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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