Question 1,027 of 1,152

Security Operations →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The best temporary mitigation for an unpatched SMBv1 server is to move it to a restricted network segment and allow SMB access only from required hosts. This approach works because network segmentation, combined with strict access control lists, contains the vulnerable service within a limited broadcast domain, drastically reducing the attack surface and preventing lateral movement by exploits like EternalBlue. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of compensating controls—specifically, that when a patch is unavailable, isolation and least privilege are the next best defense. A common trap is to suggest disabling SMBv1 entirely, but if the business requires the service to stay online, segmentation is the only viable option. Remember the mnemonic “Segment, then restrict” to recall that containment via VLANs or firewall zones buys time until a vendor patch arrives.

SY0-701 Security Operations Practice Question

This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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 vulnerability scan finds that an old print server still has SMBv1 enabled. The business says the vendor will not support a patch for at least two months, but the server must stay online. What is the best temporary mitigation?

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.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Read the full NAT/PAT explanation →

A
Move the server to a restricted network segment and allow SMB access only from required hosts.
This is a strong temporary control because it directly limits who can reach the vulnerable service. Reducing reachable hosts is a standard way to lower risk when remediation must be delayed.
B
Turn off endpoint logging to reduce performance impact until the vendor releases a patch.
Why wrong: Disabling logging hides attacker activity and removes important evidence. It does not address the SMBv1 exposure and creates a monitoring gap.
C
Increase the password length requirement for all users and keep the server on the same network.
Why wrong: Password policy changes do not mitigate a vulnerable network service. The attack surface remains largely unchanged if SMBv1 is still broadly reachable.
D
Schedule a weekly reboot to clear any malicious sessions and reduce the chance of exploitation.
Why wrong: Rebooting does not remove the vulnerability and will not stop future exploitation attempts. It may even disrupt services without improving security.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Move the server to a restricted network segment and allow SMB access only from required hosts.

Option A is correct because network segmentation is the most effective temporary mitigation when a patch is unavailable. By moving the print server to a restricted VLAN or firewall zone and applying an access control list (ACL) that permits SMB traffic only from known, required hosts, you reduce the attack surface and prevent widespread exploitation of SMBv1 vulnerabilities (e.g., EternalBlue). This approach follows the principle of least privilege and containment, buying time until the vendor releases a patch.

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.

✓
Move the server to a restricted network segment and allow SMB access only from required hosts.
Why this is correct
This is a strong temporary control because it directly limits who can reach the vulnerable service. Reducing reachable hosts is a standard way to lower risk when remediation must be delayed.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Turn off endpoint logging to reduce performance impact until the vendor releases a patch.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling logging hides attacker activity and removes important evidence. It does not address the SMBv1 exposure and creates a monitoring gap.
✗
Increase the password length requirement for all users and keep the server on the same network.
Why it's wrong here
Password policy changes do not mitigate a vulnerable network service. The attack surface remains largely unchanged if SMBv1 is still broadly reachable.
✗
Schedule a weekly reboot to clear any malicious sessions and reduce the chance of exploitation.
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting does not remove the vulnerability and will not stop future exploitation attempts. It may even disrupt services without improving security.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may choose a reactive measure like rebooting or a non-technical control like password changes, failing to recognize that containment via network segmentation is the only proactive defense that directly limits the exploit's reach without requiring a patch.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

SMBv1 lacks cryptographic signing by default and uses a vulnerable dialect that allows remote code execution via crafted packets (e.g., MS17-010). Network segmentation with strict ACLs at layer 3/4 can block SMBv1 traffic from untrusted subnets, but note that SMBv1 may still be exploitable from within the same broadcast domain if ARP spoofing or lateral movement occurs. In real-world scenarios, organizations often combine segmentation with virtual patching via an intrusion prevention system (IPS) to block exploit signatures while awaiting a vendor fix.

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.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SY0-701 question test?

Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Move the server to a restricted network segment and allow SMB access only from required hosts. — Option A is correct because network segmentation is the most effective temporary mitigation when a patch is unavailable. By moving the print server to a restricted VLAN or firewall zone and applying an access control list (ACL) that permits SMB traffic only from known, required hosts, you reduce the attack surface and prevent widespread exploitation of SMBv1 vulnerabilities (e.g., EternalBlue). This approach follows the principle of least privilege and containment, buying time until the vendor releases a patch.

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", "least". 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.

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