Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Web Access Log 2026-04-17T10:22:11Z "GET /thumb?url=http://169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/iam/security-credentials/ HTTP/1.1" 200 512 2026-04-17T10:22:14Z "GET /thumb?url=http://10.0.5.14:8080/admin HTTP/1.1" 200 133 Application server outbound connections observed to internal RFC1918 addresses after each request.
Based on the exhibit, which attack is most likely being attempted against the application?
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
Cross-site scripting, because the attacker is trying to inject script into the victim's browser session.
XSS targets the browser by injecting malicious script into content that other users view. The exhibit instead shows the server fetching URLs supplied by the user, including internal addresses and cloud metadata. That behavior is not browser-based script execution.
B
Best answer
Server-side request forgery, because the application is being tricked into making internal requests on the attacker's behalf.
The application accepts a URL parameter and then makes outbound requests to internal resources, including the cloud metadata endpoint. That is the hallmark of SSRF. The attacker is causing the server to reach addresses that should not normally be accessible through a public request path.
C
Distractor review
Cross-site request forgery, because the attacker is forcing an authenticated user to submit an unwanted request.
CSRF exploits a victim's browser and authenticated session to trigger actions on a different site. Here, the evidence shows the server directly making internal outbound requests based on a supplied URL. The attack does not rely on a browser session or user interaction with a forged form.
D
Distractor review
SQL injection, because the attacker is manipulating a query parameter to expose backend data.
SQL injection manipulates database queries, usually by altering SQL syntax in input fields. The log output here shows URL fetching and requests to the metadata service, not database error messages or SQL syntax anomalies. This is a request-forgery issue, not a database query injection.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Server-side request forgery, because the application is being tricked into making internal requests on the attacker's behalf. — The correct answer is server-side request forgery. The application accepts a URL parameter and then fetches the target on the server's behalf. The presence of requests to 169.254.169.254 is especially important because that address is commonly used for cloud instance metadata, which can expose credentials or other sensitive information. SSRF can let an attacker reach internal-only services that should never be exposed directly. Why others are wrong: XSS affects the victim's browser, not the server's outbound requests. CSRF depends on an authenticated browser session being tricked into sending a request. SQL injection manipulates database queries, which is not what the log shows. The evidence consistently points to the server making unauthorized requests to internal resources.
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.
Discussion
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