- A
Patch the SSH client on administrator laptops so the server cannot be reached externally.
Why wrong: The issue is server exposure, not the administrator laptops' SSH client software.
- B
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.
- C
Enable a captive portal on the public interface so only authenticated users see the service.
Why wrong: A captive portal is not an appropriate control for SSH administration traffic and does not adequately protect a management service.
- D
Replace SSH with FTP because FTP can be configured to allow administrative access more easily.
Why wrong: FTP is less secure than SSH and would make the exposure problem worse, not better.
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Restrict SSH to the management network and block public access with firewall or host-based rules.
Option B is correct because the vulnerability is that SSH is exposed to the internet on 0.0.0.0, which violates the principle of least privilege and exposes the administrative interface to unauthorized access. The best remediation is to restrict SSH to the internal management subnet using firewall rules (e.g., iptables, security group ACLs) or host-based rules (e.g., tcpwrappers, /etc/hosts.allow), ensuring only trusted internal IPs can reach the service. This directly addresses the exposure without changing the protocol or client configuration.
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.
- ✗
Patch the SSH client on administrator laptops so the server cannot be reached externally.
Why it's wrong here
The issue is server exposure, not the administrator laptops' SSH client software.
- ✓
Restrict SSH to the management network and block public access with firewall or host-based rules.
Why this is correct
Limiting the service to the internal management subnet removes unnecessary exposure and aligns with least exposure and secure administration practices.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable a captive portal on the public interface so only authenticated users see the service.
Why it's wrong here
A captive portal is not an appropriate control for SSH administration traffic and does not adequately protect a management service.
- ✗
Replace SSH with FTP because FTP can be configured to allow administrative access more easily.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think patching the client (Option A) or adding authentication (Option C) solves the exposure, but the core issue is network-level access control—no amount of client-side patching or portal authentication can prevent an attacker from reaching the open SSH port from the internet.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 0.0.0.0 address means the SSH daemon (sshd) binds to all available network interfaces, including public-facing ones. A proper fix involves editing the sshd_config file to set 'ListenAddress' to the internal IP (e.g., 192.168.1.10) and then applying a firewall rule (e.g., 'iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT') to drop all other inbound SSH traffic. In cloud environments, this is often done via security group ingress rules that only allow SSH from a specific CIDR range.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
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: Restrict SSH to the management network and block public access with firewall or host-based rules. — Option B is correct because the vulnerability is that SSH is exposed to the internet on 0.0.0.0, which violates the principle of least privilege and exposes the administrative interface to unauthorized access. The best remediation is to restrict SSH to the internal management subnet using firewall rules (e.g., iptables, security group ACLs) or host-based rules (e.g., tcpwrappers, /etc/hosts.allow), ensuring only trusted internal IPs can reach the service. This directly addresses the exposure without changing the protocol or client configuration.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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