Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A scan reports a critical remote code execution vulnerability on an internet-facing VPN appliance with public proof-of-concept exploit code available. It also reports a critical local privilege escalation on an isolated lab workstation. Patch windows are limited this week. Which should be remediated first?
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
Best answer
The internet-facing VPN appliance because it has higher exposure and exploitability.
An externally reachable device with a known exploit and remote code execution risk presents a much larger immediate threat than an isolated lab workstation. Prioritization should consider exposure, exploit maturity, and business impact, not severity score alone. Because the VPN appliance is publicly reachable, compromise could lead directly to remote access into the environment and broader organizational impact.
B
Distractor review
The isolated lab workstation because all critical findings must be patched in numerical order.
Patch ordering should be risk-based, not based on scan severity alone or scan listing order.
C
Distractor review
The internal printer because peripheral devices are often overlooked and therefore most dangerous.
Printers can matter, but this option does not address the highest-risk finding or the exposure described in the scenario.
D
Distractor review
The lab workstation because local privilege escalation is always more dangerous than remote code execution.
Local privilege escalation is serious, but it usually requires prior access and has less immediate reach than an internet-facing RCE.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The internet-facing VPN appliance because it has higher exposure and exploitability. — The VPN appliance should be remediated first because it is internet-facing, has remote code execution potential, and already has public exploit code available. Those factors increase the likelihood of active exploitation and the potential blast radius if compromised. A risk-based remediation approach prioritizes exposure and exploitability, not just the raw severity label from the scanner. That makes the VPN appliance the more urgent fix. Why others are wrong: The lab workstation is isolated, so a local exploit has a narrower path to exploitation and lower immediate impact. Patching by number alone ignores the real-world risk context. The printer is not described as the primary exposed target, and local privilege escalation is not automatically worse than externally reachable RCE with public exploit code.
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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