A vulnerability scan finds that an administrative SSH service on a Linux server is listening on 0.0.0.0 and is reachable from the internet. The server is meant to be managed only from the internal admin subnet. What is the best remediation?
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.
Distractor review
Patch the SSH client on administrator laptops so the server cannot be reached externally.
The issue is server exposure, not the administrator laptops' SSH client software.
Best answer
Restrict SSH to the management network and block public access with firewall or host-based rules.
Limiting the service to the internal management subnet removes unnecessary exposure and aligns with least exposure and secure administration practices.
Distractor review
Enable a captive portal on the public interface so only authenticated users see the service.
A captive portal is not an appropriate control for SSH administration traffic and does not adequately protect a management service.
Distractor review
Replace SSH with FTP because FTP can be configured to allow administrative access more easily.
FTP is less secure than SSH and would make the exposure problem worse, not better.
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
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
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Question 6
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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: Restrict SSH to the management network and block public access with firewall or host-based rules. — The best remediation is to restrict SSH to the management network and block public access with firewall or host-based rules. The server should not expose administrative services to the internet when management is only required from an internal subnet. This reduces attack surface immediately and prevents brute force, exploitation attempts, and accidental exposure while preserving legitimate admin access. Why others are wrong: Patching administrator laptops does not address the exposed server service. A captive portal is not a valid control for secure SSH management. Replacing SSH with FTP would weaken security because FTP lacks SSH's encrypted, authenticated management protections and still would not solve the public exposure issue.
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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