A vulnerability scan finds an administrative SSH service listening on 0.0.0.0 on a server that should be managed only from the internal network. What is the main security issue?
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.
Best answer
Exposed management service
This is the correct answer because the admin SSH service is reachable on all interfaces instead of being limited to the internal management network. That increases attack surface and allows unauthorized internet exposure if firewall rules are weak or missing. The problem is the service placement and exposure, not the SSH protocol itself.
Distractor review
Default credentials
Default credentials are a separate issue involving unchanged vendor usernames or passwords. The scan result here says nothing about the account password.
Distractor review
Outdated component
An outdated component would mean the software version is end-of-life or missing patches. The clue here is network exposure, not software age.
Distractor review
Weak permissions
Weak permissions usually refer to file, folder, or object access controls. The problem in this question is that the management service is reachable too broadly.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Exposed management service — The main issue is an exposed management service. Binding administrative SSH to 0.0.0.0 means it listens on all interfaces, which can make it reachable from networks it should never trust. Management services should usually be limited to a secure admin subnet, VPN, or jump host. Exposure like this creates unnecessary risk even if the service is otherwise configured correctly. Why others are wrong: Default credentials would require evidence of an unchanged password, which is not provided. Outdated component problems involve unsupported or unpatched software, not broad network exposure. Weak permissions refer to access control settings on data or files, while this finding is specifically about a service listening too widely.
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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