- A
Reflected cross-site scripting, because the payload only appears in the current request response.
Why wrong: Reflected XSS is returned immediately in the response, but this scenario affects later viewers after the content is saved.
- B
Stored cross-site scripting, because the malicious script is saved and served to other users later.
Stored XSS occurs when malicious script is persisted by the application, such as in a profile field, comment, or message. Every user who later loads the page receives the harmful content. The redirection to a fake sign-in page shows that the script is executing in other users’ browsers, which makes this a stored, not reflected, attack. Proper output encoding and input handling are needed to prevent it.
- C
Command injection, because the script runs inside the web server process.
Why wrong: Command injection targets operating system commands on the server, not client-side script execution in another user’s browser.
- D
Session fixation, because the attacker wants the victim to use an old session ID.
Why wrong: Session fixation involves controlling or reusing a session token, which is not what this profile-field script is doing.
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. 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 company portal lets employees save a short profile bio. One employee enters a string containing script code, and later other users who view that profile are redirected to a fake sign-in page. What vulnerability best explains this behavior?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Stored cross-site scripting, because the malicious script is saved and served to other users later.
The employee's profile bio is saved to the server and later served to other users who view the profile. This is the defining characteristic of stored (persistent) cross-site scripting (XSS): the malicious script is permanently stored on the target server and executed in the browsers of other users when they retrieve the stored data.
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.
- ✗
Reflected cross-site scripting, because the payload only appears in the current request response.
Why it's wrong here
Reflected XSS is returned immediately in the response, but this scenario affects later viewers after the content is saved.
- ✓
Stored cross-site scripting, because the malicious script is saved and served to other users later.
Why this is correct
Stored XSS occurs when malicious script is persisted by the application, such as in a profile field, comment, or message. Every user who later loads the page receives the harmful content. The redirection to a fake sign-in page shows that the script is executing in other users’ browsers, which makes this a stored, not reflected, attack. Proper output encoding and input handling are needed to prevent it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Command injection, because the script runs inside the web server process.
Why it's wrong here
Command injection targets operating system commands on the server, not client-side script execution in another user’s browser.
- ✗
Session fixation, because the attacker wants the victim to use an old session ID.
Why it's wrong here
Session fixation involves controlling or reusing a session token, which is not what this profile-field script is doing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing stored XSS with reflected XSS by focusing on the 'current request' aspect rather than recognizing that the payload is saved and served to other users later, which is the key differentiator.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Command injection targets operating system commands on the server, not client-side script execution in another user’s browser.
Scenario analysis trap
Reflected XSS is returned immediately in the response, but this scenario affects later viewers after the content is saved.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Stored XSS occurs when user input is persisted in a database, file, or other storage mechanism without proper output encoding or sanitization. When the stored data is later rendered in an HTML context (e.g., via innerHTML or template injection), the browser interprets the injected script as part of the page's DOM. In real-world scenarios, this vulnerability can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or drive-by downloads, as the malicious script executes in the security context of the trusted origin.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — This question tests Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Stored cross-site scripting, because the malicious script is saved and served to other users later. — The employee's profile bio is saved to the server and later served to other users who view the profile. This is the defining characteristic of stored (persistent) cross-site scripting (XSS): the malicious script is permanently stored on the target server and executed in the browsers of other users when they retrieve the stored data.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
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