Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst is investigating a web application that allows users to input a filename to view its contents. The application passes the user input directly to a system command without sanitization. An attacker submits the input 'file.txt; cat /etc/passwd' and successfully retrieves the contents of the password file. Which type of attack occurred?
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
Command injection
Command injection allows an attacker to execute arbitrary system commands by exploiting unsanitized input passed to system calls. The use of a semicolon to chain commands is a classic indicator of this attack.
B
Distractor review
Cross-site scripting (XSS)
Cross-site scripting involves injecting malicious scripts into a web application that execute in a victim's browser. It does not allow direct execution of system commands on the server.
C
Distractor review
SQL injection
SQL injection targets database queries by inserting malicious SQL statements. The scenario involves system command execution, not database manipulation.
D
Distractor review
Directory traversal
Directory traversal attacks exploit insufficient path sanitation to access files outside the intended directory. While it deals with file access, it does not involve executing system commands or chaining multiple commands.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Command injection — The attack is a command injection. Command injection occurs when an application passes unsanitized user input directly to a system command, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary commands. In this scenario, the semicolon character (;) is used to chain multiple commands, enabling the attacker to execute 'cat /etc/passwd' after the intended 'file.txt' command. This is distinct from cross-site scripting (which targets client-side scripts), SQL injection (which targets database queries), and directory traversal (which manipulates file paths without executing commands).
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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