A SaaS dashboard invalidates passwords after a forced reset, but a stolen bearer token from a browser cookie still works from a VPN exit node for several hours. SIEM logs show the same token value used from two countries within five minutes, and no MFA prompt appears because the token is already accepted. What attack is most likely?
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.
Best answer
Session hijacking, because a valid session token is being replayed from a different location.
Session hijacking is the best answer because the attacker is reusing a valid authenticated token rather than logging in normally. The token continues to work after a password reset, and the same token appears from different geographies in a short window. That strongly suggests the session itself was stolen and replayed, which bypasses authentication controls that only protect the login step.
Distractor review
Credential stuffing, because the attacker used many passwords against the portal.
Credential stuffing requires automated login attempts using previously leaked username and password pairs. This scenario is about a stolen session token, not repeated password submission.
Distractor review
Cross-site request forgery, because the attacker is making requests on behalf of the user.
CSRF causes the victim's browser to send an unwanted request, but it does not explain the reuse of a stolen bearer token from another country after a password reset.
Distractor review
Phishing, because the attacker likely stole the user's password first.
Phishing may be a precursor to token theft, but the attack being observed is token replay and session reuse. The question asks for the most likely active attack pattern.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Session hijacking, because a valid session token is being replayed from a different location. — Session hijacking is correct because the attacker is using an already authenticated bearer token instead of authenticating with credentials. Password resets do not automatically invalidate all session tokens in many systems, which makes token theft especially dangerous. The cross-country reuse in minutes is a strong sign of replay from a compromised browser session or cookie theft, not normal user behavior. Why others are wrong: Credential stuffing is password-based and does not involve a reused bearer token. CSRF would trigger a request from a victim's browser, not authenticated use from a foreign IP. Phishing might have been used earlier to steal something, but the observed behavior is session replay after authentication has already occurred.
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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