Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst is reviewing the session management implementation of a web application. The application generates session tokens by computing the MD5 hash of the concatenation of the username and the current server timestamp rounded to the nearest hour. An attacker has obtained a valid session token for her own account and discovers that she can forge tokens for other users by simply substituting the username in the hash calculation with a known target username. Which type of attack is the web application most vulnerable to?
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
Session hijacking via cross-site scripting (XSS)
Session hijacking via XSS requires an attacker to inject malicious script that steals the victim's session token. This scenario does not involve injecting script; it involves predicting the token without stealing it.
B
Distractor review
Session replay attack
A session replay attack involves capturing a valid token and reusing it later to impersonate the same user. The vulnerability described allows the attacker to create a token for a different user, not replay a captured one.
C
Best answer
Session prediction
The session token is generated using the username and a timestamp with low granularity, making it possible for an attacker who knows the algorithm to calculate valid tokens for any user. This is a classic session prediction vulnerability.
D
Distractor review
Session fixation
Session fixation occurs when an attacker forces a victim to use a session token that the attacker knows. Here, the attacker is able to compute a token for the victim without any interaction, so it is prediction, not fixation.
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: Session prediction — When session tokens are generated using predictable inputs (such as username and a low-granularity timestamp) and a deterministic hash function, an attacker who knows the algorithm can compute valid tokens for any user. This is a classic session prediction vulnerability. Other session-related attacks like hijacking via XSS, replay of captured tokens, or session fixation involve different mechanisms and are not directly related to weak token generation.
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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