The answer is stored cross-site scripting (XSS). This is correct because the malicious script, `<script>alert('test')</script>`, is permanently stored on the server—in this case, within a forum signature field—and later served to every user who views that signature, causing the browser to execute it as if it came from the trusted site. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish stored XSS from reflected or DOM-based XSS; the key differentiator is that the payload persists in a database or data store and affects multiple users without requiring a crafted link. A common trap is confusing it with reflected XSS, but remember: if the script is saved and impacts others later, it is stored. Memory tip: “Stored is stored—if it stays on the server, it’s stored XSS.”
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 customer enters `<script>alert('test')</script>` into a public forum signature field. Later, other users who view that signature see the script execute in their browsers. What attack is this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cross-site scripting
This is a classic stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. The malicious script is injected into a persistent data store (the forum signature field) and later served to other users without proper sanitization, causing the browser to execute the script in the context of the trusted site.
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.
✗
SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection targets database queries, not browser-side script execution in a forum page.
✓
Cross-site scripting
Why this is correct
Cross-site scripting stores or reflects script code that executes in another user's browser.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Session replay
Why it's wrong here
Session replay reuses captured session data, but the symptom here is script execution in the browser.
✗
Directory traversal
Why it's wrong here
Directory traversal abuses path handling to reach files, which does not match script injection in a web page.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing client-side injection (XSS) with server-side injection (SQL injection) because both involve untrusted input, but XSS targets the browser's rendering engine while SQL injection targets the database query parser.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Stored XSS occurs when user input is saved on the server (e.g., in a database or file) and later rendered in HTML without proper encoding. The browser treats the injected `<script>` tag as part of the DOM, executing it with the same origin as the vulnerable site, which can bypass same-origin policy protections. Real-world examples include attacks on comment sections or profile fields that lack output encoding (e.g., using HTML entity encoding like `<script>`).
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: Cross-site scripting — This is a classic stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. The malicious script is injected into a persistent data store (the forum signature field) and later served to other users without proper sanitization, causing the browser to execute the script in the context of the trusted site.
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.
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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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user enters `<script>alert('test')</script>` into a public comment field, and other visitors see the script run in their browsers. What attack is this?
easy
✓ A.Cross-site scripting
B.SQL injection
C.Broken authentication
D.Insecure deserialization
Why A: This is a classic cross-site scripting (XSS) attack because the user-supplied input containing a script tag is echoed back to other visitors' browsers without proper sanitization or encoding. The script executes in the context of the victim's browser, allowing the attacker to steal cookies, redirect users, or deface the page. XSS exploits the trust a user has for a particular website, unlike SQL injection which targets the database.
Variation 2. A security analyst is investigating a series of alerts from the web application firewall. Users are reporting that when they view a product review page on the company's e-commerce site, their browser automatically redirects to a malicious website. The analyst examines the database and finds that a product review submitted by a user contains a <script> tag that loads a JavaScript file from an external domain. Which type of attack has occurred?
medium
A.Cross-site request forgery (CSRF)
✓ B.Stored cross-site scripting (XSS)
C.SQL injection
D.Reflected cross-site scripting (XSS)
Why B: The attack is stored cross-site scripting (XSS) because the malicious <script> tag was permanently stored in the product review database. When any user views the product review page, the browser loads and executes the external JavaScript file from the attacker's domain, causing an automatic redirect to a malicious website. This matches the classic stored XSS pattern where payload persists in server-side storage and executes in the victim's browser context.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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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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