Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A public-facing file transfer server is running an appliance firmware version that is now end-of-life. The vendor has stated that no further security patches will be released. Management wants the best long-term fix before the next audit. What should be done?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Increase logging and keep the current firmware until a problem appears.
More logging can improve visibility, but it does not remove the unsupported and unpatchable vulnerability exposure of end-of-life firmware.
B
Distractor review
Move the server to a different subnet and continue using the same firmware.
Segmentation may reduce exposure, but it is still a compensating control. It does not solve the underlying problem that the component is no longer supported.
C
Best answer
Replace or upgrade the end-of-life firmware with a supported version.
Replacing or upgrading the unsupported firmware is the best long-term fix because it restores the ability to receive patches and vendor support. That directly addresses the outdated component risk instead of merely masking it with monitoring or network controls.
D
Distractor review
Change the administrator password and leave the device in place.
Stronger credentials are important, but they do not mitigate vulnerabilities in unsupported firmware. An attacker can still exploit the device through known flaws even after a password change.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Replace or upgrade the end-of-life firmware with a supported version. — The best long-term remediation is to replace or upgrade the end-of-life firmware with a supported version. Once a component is unsupported, the organization can no longer rely on vendor patches to address newly discovered weaknesses. Logging, segmentation, and password changes may help, but they are compensating controls rather than a true fix for an outdated component. Why others are wrong: More logging only improves detection and does not reduce the vulnerability itself. Moving the system to another subnet can lower exposure, but it is still a temporary workaround rather than a durable remediation. Changing the administrator password helps if credentials are weak, but it does nothing against exploitability in unsupported firmware.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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