The correct answer is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). This is because the web application is tricked into making an internal request to a resource like localhost or an internal IP address, which the attacker cannot directly access from the outside, and then returning the sensitive data to the attacker. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, SSRF questions often test your ability to distinguish it from similar attacks like Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) or Remote File Inclusion (RFI); a common trap is confusing the server making the request (SSRF) with a user’s browser making the request (CSRF). The key indicator in the scenario is that the server itself fetches and returns the content from an internal service based on user-supplied input. For a quick memory tip, think “Server Sends Request For Resources” — the server acts as the attacker’s proxy to reach internal systems.
CEH Web Application and Injection Attacks Practice Question
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.
A web application takes a URL from user input and fetches the content to display on the page. An attacker submits a URL pointing to an internal service like http://localhost:8080/admin. The server retrieves the internal resource and returns it. What is this attack?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) occurs when a server makes requests to internal resources based on user-supplied URLs.
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.
✗
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Why it's wrong here
XSS injects client-side scripts, not server-side requests.
✓
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Why this is correct
The server is tricked into making a request to an internal resource.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Directory Traversal
Why it's wrong here
Directory traversal accesses local files through path manipulation, not via URL requests.
✗
Remote File Inclusion (RFI)
Why it's wrong here
RFI includes remote files, but the attack here is server-side, not client-side inclusion.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
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.
Web Application and Injection Attacks — This question tests Web Application and Injection Attacks — 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 (SSRF) — Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) occurs when a server makes requests to internal resources based on user-supplied URLs.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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. A web application has an endpoint that takes a URL parameter and fetches content from that URL, returning it to the user. An attacker supplies 'file:///etc/passwd' and reads the server's passwd file. Which vulnerability is this?
hard
A.Command injection
B.Remote File Inclusion (RFI)
✓ C.Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
D.Directory traversal
Why C: This is SSRF because the server is making requests to internal resources based on user input; file:// is a protocol that can be used for local file access.
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This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CEH exam.
Question Discussion
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