- A
Test the CDN and WAF as part of the scope
Why wrong: Testing third-party infrastructure may violate the provider's terms of service and could lead to legal issues. The CDN and WAF are owned by a different entity.
- B
Obtain the backend server IPs from the client and test them directly
This allows the tester to assess the backend servers as intended, bypassing the CDN/WAF but with the client's authorization. It is the most accurate way to test the client's own infrastructure.
- C
Include a plan to bypass the WAF in the rules of engagement
Why wrong: Deliberately bypassing a third-party WAF could be considered an attack on the WAF provider and may not be covered by the client's authorization. It could also disrupt the WAF service.
- D
Only test the public-facing URLs as they are
Why wrong: This would only test the CDN edge, not the backend servers, so it would not meet the client's requirement to assess backend security.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to obtain the backend server IPs from the client and test them directly. This is the proper approach because bypassing CDN and WAF to test backend servers requires removing the third-party protections from the test path; the CDN and WAF only defend the perimeter, not the origin servers themselves, so testing the backend directly reveals vulnerabilities the client’s security stack might miss. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this question tests your understanding of scoping and the difference between testing a protected front-end versus the actual target—a common trap is assuming you must test through the WAF to simulate a real attacker, but the client’s explicit goal is backend security assessment. Remember the memory tip: “Test the origin, not the shield”—if the client wants to know how secure their servers are behind the CDN/WAF, you must bypass those layers by testing the backend IPs directly.
PT0-002 Planning and Scoping Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of planning and scoping. 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.
A penetration testing firm is contracted to perform an external test of a company's web applications. During the scoping meeting, the client mentions that they use a CDN and WAF provided by a third party. The client wants the test to accurately reflect the security of their backend servers behind these protections. What should the tester recommend?
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
Obtain the backend server IPs from the client and test them directly
Option B is correct because the client wants the test to accurately reflect the security of their backend servers behind the CDN and WAF. By obtaining the backend server IPs directly, the tester can bypass the third-party protections and assess the actual security posture of the origin servers, which is the true target of the external test. This approach ensures that vulnerabilities not mitigated by the CDN/WAF are identified, aligning with the client's goal of evaluating backend security.
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.
- ✗
Test the CDN and WAF as part of the scope
Why it's wrong here
Testing third-party infrastructure may violate the provider's terms of service and could lead to legal issues. The CDN and WAF are owned by a different entity.
- ✓
Obtain the backend server IPs from the client and test them directly
Why this is correct
This allows the tester to assess the backend servers as intended, bypassing the CDN/WAF but with the client's authorization. It is the most accurate way to test the client's own infrastructure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Include a plan to bypass the WAF in the rules of engagement
Why it's wrong here
Deliberately bypassing a third-party WAF could be considered an attack on the WAF provider and may not be covered by the client's authorization. It could also disrupt the WAF service.
- ✗
Only test the public-facing URLs as they are
Why it's wrong here
This would only test the CDN edge, not the backend servers, so it would not meet the client's requirement to assess backend security.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume bypassing the WAF is the correct approach (Option C), but the ethical and practical method is to test the backend servers directly with client permission, not to actively circumvent security controls during the test.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In practice, CDNs and WAFs like Cloudflare or AWS WAF operate as reverse proxies, terminating TLS and forwarding traffic to origin servers via private IPs or public IPs with access control lists (ACLs). The tester should request the actual origin IP addresses (e.g., via DNS enumeration or client-provided data) and perform scans using tools like Nmap or Burp Suite directly against those IPs, bypassing the CDN's caching and WAF's filtering rules. A real-world scenario involves a client using Cloudflare's WAF that blocks SQL injection payloads; testing the origin IP directly reveals whether the backend server itself has proper input validation or relies solely on the WAF for protection.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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.
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Planning and Scoping — study guide chapter
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Planning and Scoping practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Planning and Scoping — This question tests Planning and Scoping — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Obtain the backend server IPs from the client and test them directly — Option B is correct because the client wants the test to accurately reflect the security of their backend servers behind the CDN and WAF. By obtaining the backend server IPs directly, the tester can bypass the third-party protections and assess the actual security posture of the origin servers, which is the true target of the external test. This approach ensures that vulnerabilities not mitigated by the CDN/WAF are identified, aligning with the client's goal of evaluating backend security.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PT0-002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 PT0-002 exam.
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