- A
SQL injection
Correct. The log entries show SQL syntax such as `OR '1'='1'` and `DROP TABLE`, which are classic indicators of SQL injection attempts. This attack exploits improper input sanitization to manipulate database queries.
- B
LDAP injection
Why wrong: Incorrect. LDAP injection attacks target Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries, not SQL databases. The patterns shown are SQL-specific, not LDAP filter syntax (e.g., `(&(uid=*)(userPassword=*))`).
- C
Command injection
Why wrong: Incorrect. Command injection attempts to execute arbitrary operating system commands through a vulnerable application. The logs show SQL syntax, not shell metacharacters like `;`, `|`, or `&&` typically used in command injection.
- D
Cross-site scripting (XSS)
Why wrong: Incorrect. XSS involves injecting client-side scripts (e.g., JavaScript) into web pages viewed by other users. The log entries contain SQL code, not script tags or event handlers like `<script>alert(1)</script>`.
SQL Injection: Log Identification
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 security analyst is reviewing web server logs from an e-commerce application. The logs show repeated requests containing URLs with appended strings such as: `' OR '1'='1' --` and `'; DROP TABLE Users; --`. The application returned HTTP 200 responses with unexpected data in several instances. Which type of attack is most likely being attempted?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
SQL injection
The repeated requests contain classic SQL injection payloads, such as `' OR '1'='1' --` (used to bypass authentication or extract data) and `'; DROP TABLE Users; --` (used to delete database tables). The HTTP 200 responses with unexpected data confirm that the application is vulnerable to SQL injection, as the injected SQL code is being executed against the backend database. This attack targets the SQL database layer, not LDAP directories or operating system commands.
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.
- ✓
SQL injection
Why this is correct
Correct. The log entries show SQL syntax such as `OR '1'='1'` and `DROP TABLE`, which are classic indicators of SQL injection attempts. This attack exploits improper input sanitization to manipulate database queries.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
LDAP injection
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. LDAP injection attacks target Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries, not SQL databases. The patterns shown are SQL-specific, not LDAP filter syntax (e.g., `(&(uid=*)(userPassword=*))`).
When this WOULD be correct
An LDAP injection question would involve an application that authenticates users against an LDAP directory, with logs showing payloads like `*)(uid=*))(|(uid=*` or `admin*` in login fields, causing unauthorized access or data exposure.
- ✗
Command injection
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Command injection attempts to execute arbitrary operating system commands through a vulnerable application. The logs show SQL syntax, not shell metacharacters like `;`, `|`, or `&&` typically used in command injection.
When this WOULD be correct
Command injection would be correct if the logs showed URL parameters with system commands, such as '; ls -la' or '| dir', and the application returned command output in the HTTP response, indicating the server executed the commands.
- ✗
Cross-site scripting (XSS)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. XSS involves injecting client-side scripts (e.g., JavaScript) into web pages viewed by other users. The log entries contain SQL code, not script tags or event handlers like `<script>alert(1)</script>`.
When this WOULD be correct
A security analyst finds that a web application reflects user input in HTTP responses without sanitization, and a proof-of-concept payload like <script>alert('XSS')</script> executes in a browser. The question would specify that the attack targets other users via stored or reflected scripts.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The SY0-701 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓SQL injectionCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. The log entries show SQL syntax such as `OR '1'='1'` and `DROP TABLE`, which are classic indicators of SQL injection attempts. This attack exploits improper input sanitization to manipulate database queries.
✗LDAP injectionWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The logs show SQL syntax like `' OR '1'='1' --` and `DROP TABLE Users`, which are classic SQL injection payloads, not LDAP injection. LDAP injection uses LDAP query syntax, not SQL.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
An LDAP injection question would involve an application that authenticates users against an LDAP directory, with logs showing payloads like `*)(uid=*))(|(uid=*` or `admin*` in login fields, causing unauthorized access or data exposure.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse injection attacks, thinking any injection that manipulates a query is similar, or they may not distinguish between SQL and LDAP syntax.
✗Command injectionWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The logs show SQL syntax patterns like ' OR '1'='1' and DROP TABLE, which are classic SQL injection attempts. Command injection typically involves system commands (e.g., ; ls -la) and would not produce SQL-like strings.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
Command injection would be correct if the logs showed URL parameters with system commands, such as '; ls -la' or '| dir', and the application returned command output in the HTTP response, indicating the server executed the commands.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse injection types, thinking any injected string is a command, or they may not recognize the specific SQL syntax patterns, leading them to choose a broader injection category.
✗Cross-site scripting (XSS)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The logs show SQL syntax (' OR '1'='1' --, DROP TABLE) and HTTP 200 responses with unexpected data, indicating database manipulation, not client-side script execution. XSS involves injecting scripts into web pages viewed by other users, not direct database queries.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A security analyst finds that a web application reflects user input in HTTP responses without sanitization, and a proof-of-concept payload like <script>alert('XSS')</script> executes in a browser. The question would specify that the attack targets other users via stored or reflected scripts.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse injection attacks or think that any malicious input in web requests is XSS, especially when the response contains unexpected data, without recognizing the SQL-specific syntax and database commands.
Analysis generated from the official SY0-701blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse SQL injection with command injection because both use special characters like `'` and `;`, but command injection requires OS command separators and system commands, whereas SQL injection uses database-specific syntax and keywords.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. LDAP injection attacks target Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries, not SQL databases. The patterns shown are SQL-specific, not LDAP filter syntax (e.g., `(&(uid=*)(userPassword=*))`).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SQL injection exploits improper sanitization of user input in SQL queries, allowing an attacker to manipulate the query's logic. The `' OR '1'='1' --` payload closes the original SQL string and adds a tautology, while `--` comments out the rest of the query, often bypassing authentication. The `'; DROP TABLE Users; --` payload demonstrates a stacked query attack, which can execute multiple SQL statements if the database driver supports it (e.g., SQL Server, PostgreSQL), leading to data destruction.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
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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: SQL injection — The repeated requests contain classic SQL injection payloads, such as `' OR '1'='1' --` (used to bypass authentication or extract data) and `'; DROP TABLE Users; --` (used to delete database tables). The HTTP 200 responses with unexpected data confirm that the application is vulnerable to SQL injection, as the injected SQL code is being executed against the backend database. This attack targets the SQL database layer, not LDAP directories or operating system commands.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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