Quick Answer
The correct answer is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). This attack type is identified because the attacker manipulates the web application into sending a crafted request from the server itself, often targeting internal services like databases, cloud metadata endpoints, or internal APIs that are not normally accessible from the outside. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, SSRF questions frequently test your ability to distinguish it from other server-side attacks like Server-Side Includes (SSI) or XML External Entity (XXE) injection; a common trap is confusing SSRF with a simple redirect or a cross-site request forgery (CSRF), but remember that SSRF forces the *server* to act as the proxy, not the client. A useful memory tip is to think of the server as a “puppet” that the attacker forces to reach out to internal resources—if the server is making the request to an internal IP, it’s SSRF.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of web application and injection attacks. 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.
An attacker attempts to exploit a web application by sending a request that triggers the server to make an internal HTTP request to a sensitive internal service. Which type of attack is this?
CSRF
Why wrong: CSRF tricks a user's browser into making a request, not the server itself.
XXE
Why wrong: XXE exploits XML parsers to read local files or perform SSRF, but the core attack described is SSRF.
SSRF
SSRF involves the server making unintended requests to internal or external systems.
IDOR
Why wrong: IDOR is about accessing unauthorized resources by modifying identifiers, not making server-side requests.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SSRF
SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery) occurs when an attacker can induce the server to make requests to internal resources.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
CSRF
Why it's wrong here
CSRF tricks a user's browser into making a request, not the server itself.
XXE
Why it's wrong here
XXE exploits XML parsers to read local files or perform SSRF, but the core attack described is SSRF.
SSRF
Why this is correct
SSRF involves the server making unintended requests to internal or external systems.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
IDOR
Why it's wrong here
IDOR is about accessing unauthorized resources by modifying identifiers, not making server-side requests.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CEH exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Web Application and Injection Attacks — This question tests Web Application and Injection Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SSRF — SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery) occurs when an attacker can induce the server to make requests to internal resources.
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An application is vulnerable to server-side request forgery (SSRF). An attacker exploits this to access internal services. Which of the following is a common indicator of SSRF?
mediumWhy B: SSRF vulnerabilities often appear where the application fetches URLs based on user input, such as 'url=' parameters, allowing the attacker to make the server request internal resources.
Variation 2. A web application is vulnerable to server-side request forgery (SSRF). An attacker sends a request that causes the server to make an internal HTTP request to http://169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/. What is the attacker attempting to achieve?
mediumWhy B: 169.254.169.254 is the metadata IP address for cloud providers like AWS. The attacker is trying to retrieve instance metadata, which may contain credentials (e.g., IAM role credentials).
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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