SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 user enters `<script>alert('test')</script>` into a public comment field, and other visitors see the script run in their browsers. What attack is this?
Cross-site scripting occurs when attacker-controlled script is stored or reflected and then runs in another user's browser. A comment field that executes script for later visitors is a textbook example.
B
SQL injection
Why wrong: SQL injection targets database queries, not the browser rendering of a comment or profile field.
C
Broken authentication
Why wrong: Broken authentication refers to weaknesses in login or session handling, not script execution in a page.
D
Insecure deserialization
Why wrong: Insecure deserialization involves unsafe object processing and is not the same as browser script injection.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cross-site scripting
This is a classic cross-site scripting (XSS) attack because the user-supplied input containing a script tag is echoed back to other visitors' browsers without proper sanitization or encoding. The script executes in the context of the victim's browser, allowing the attacker to steal cookies, redirect users, or deface the page. XSS exploits the trust a user has for a particular website, unlike SQL injection which targets the database.
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.
✓
Cross-site scripting
Why this is correct
Cross-site scripting occurs when attacker-controlled script is stored or reflected and then runs in another user's browser. A comment field that executes script for later visitors is a textbook example.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection targets database queries, not the browser rendering of a comment or profile field.
✗
Broken authentication
Why it's wrong here
Broken authentication refers to weaknesses in login or session handling, not script execution in a page.
✗
Insecure deserialization
Why it's wrong here
Insecure deserialization involves unsafe object processing and is not the same as browser script injection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse client-side attacks (XSS) with server-side attacks (SQL injection) because both involve user input, but XSS targets the browser's execution context while SQL injection targets the database query parser.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a stored XSS attack, the malicious script is permanently stored on the server (e.g., in a database or comment field) and served to every user who views that page. The browser trusts the origin server, so it executes the script with the same origin permissions, allowing access to cookies (if not HttpOnly), local storage, and the ability to make same-origin requests. Real-world examples include the 2005 Samy worm on MySpace, which used stored XSS to propagate.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: Cross-site scripting — This is a classic cross-site scripting (XSS) attack because the user-supplied input containing a script tag is echoed back to other visitors' browsers without proper sanitization or encoding. The script executes in the context of the victim's browser, allowing the attacker to steal cookies, redirect users, or deface the page. XSS exploits the trust a user has for a particular website, unlike SQL injection which targets the database.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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