Question 128 of 1,152
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and MitigationshardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is session hijacking or session abuse, because the attacker can replay a valid JWT after logout without revocation. This exploit works because the application issues signed JWTs in a browser cookie but lacks a server-side revocation list, meaning the token remains valid until its expiration date regardless of user logout. The core weakness is that JWT session hijacking with no revocation allows an attacker who captures the token—even from a different IP—to replay it freely, as the server has no way to check if the token was invalidated. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of stateless authentication flaws and the critical difference between token expiration and token revocation; a common trap is assuming logout automatically destroys the token. Memory tip: “No revoke, no revoke—logout is just a joke.”

SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question

This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 SaaS portal issues signed JWTs in a browser cookie. The help desk confirms a user logged out at 09:10, but SIEM logs show the same token was accepted from a different IP at 09:12 and continued working until the token expired. The application does not keep a server-side revocation list. What weakness is most likely being abused?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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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

Session hijacking or session abuse, because the attacker can replay a valid token after logout without revocation.

The correct answer is B because the scenario describes a classic session hijacking or session abuse attack. The application issues signed JWTs in cookies and does not maintain a server-side revocation list, meaning once a token is issued, it remains valid until its expiration. Even after the legitimate user logs out at 09:10, the attacker can replay the same JWT from a different IP at 09:12, and the server will accept it because there is no mechanism to invalidate the token. This lack of revocation is the core weakness being exploited.

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, because the attacker must be manipulating backend database logic to reuse the token.

    Why it's wrong here

    SQL injection targets database queries. Reusing a valid token after logout is a session-handling problem, not evidence of SQL query manipulation.

  • Session hijacking or session abuse, because the attacker can replay a valid token after logout without revocation.

    Why this is correct

    This is session hijacking or session abuse because the attacker is using a valid session token outside the original user context. JWTs are often stateless, so if the application does not track revocation, logout may not immediately invalidate a copied token. The cross-IP reuse after logout strongly suggests the token was stolen or replayed and remained acceptable until its normal expiration.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • Insecure deserialization, because the token is being decoded and reconstructed on the server.

    Why it's wrong here

    Insecure deserialization involves unsafe object reconstruction from attacker-controlled data. A replayed JWT does not by itself indicate object deserialization abuse.

  • Cross-site request forgery, because the request is coming from a different IP address.

    Why it's wrong here

    CSRF abuses a victim's browser to send unwanted requests with ambient authority. The scenario instead shows direct token replay from another source after logout, which is a session theft or abuse problem.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may confuse session hijacking with CSRF, but CSRF requires a forged request from a different site, not simply a different IP address, and the key issue is the lack of token revocation after logout.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    CSRF abuses a victim's browser to send unwanted requests with ambient authority. The scenario instead shows direct token replay from another source after logout, which is a session theft or abuse problem.

  • Scenario analysis trap

    CSRF abuses a victim's browser to send unwanted requests with ambient authority. The scenario instead shows direct token replay from another source after logout, which is a session theft or abuse problem.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

JWTs are stateless by design; the server validates the token's signature and expiration without storing session state. Without a token revocation list (e.g., a blocklist or a token blacklist in a database), a logged-out user's token remains valid until its `exp` claim. In real-world scenarios, this is why OAuth2 and OpenID Connect recommend using short-lived access tokens with refresh tokens, or implementing token revocation endpoints. The SIEM log showing acceptance from a different IP confirms the token was replayed, not that the session was hijacked via CSRF or injection.

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.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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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: Session hijacking or session abuse, because the attacker can replay a valid token after logout without revocation. — The correct answer is B because the scenario describes a classic session hijacking or session abuse attack. The application issues signed JWTs in cookies and does not maintain a server-side revocation list, meaning once a token is issued, it remains valid until its expiration. Even after the legitimate user logs out at 09:10, the attacker can replay the same JWT from a different IP at 09:12, and the server will accept it because there is no mechanism to invalidate the token. This lack of revocation is the core weakness being exploited.

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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

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

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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.