The answer is to change the administration HTTPS port and restrict access to trusted hosts. The httpsd process handles HTTPS-based administrative GUI access, and when it spikes to 95% CPU, it typically indicates a brute-force login attempt or excessive concurrent GUI sessions overwhelming the daemon. Changing the default port disrupts automated attack scripts, while restricting access via trusted hosts ensures only specific source IPs can reach the management interface, immediately reducing the attack surface. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between a performance issue and a security incident—many candidates mistakenly restart the process or reboot the FortiGate, which only temporarily clears the symptom. The key trap is that high CPU from httpsd is almost always an access control problem, not a resource shortage. Memory tip: when you see httpsd high CPU, think "port and permit"—change the port, permit only trusted hosts.
NSE7 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and diagnostics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 administrator runs 'diagnose sys top' and sees process 'httpsd' consuming 95% CPU. What is the best immediate action to alleviate the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change the administration HTTPS port and restrict access to trusted hosts
The httpsd process handles HTTPS administrative access. High CPU could be due to brute-force attacks or excessive GUI logins. The best action is to change the administrative access port or limit access via trusted hosts.
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.
✓
Change the administration HTTPS port and restrict access to trusted hosts
Why this is correct
Correct. Changing the port and restricting source IPs can mitigate the attack without losing access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Kill the httpsd process
Why it's wrong here
Killing the process may cause instability and would not address the root cause.
✗
Disable HTTPS administration access
Why it's wrong here
This would prevent GUI access but might be too drastic; restricting access is a better compromise.
✗
Reboot the FortiGate
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting is temporary and does not prevent recurrence.
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 NSE7 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which NSE7 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.
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics — This question tests Troubleshooting and Diagnostics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change the administration HTTPS port and restrict access to trusted hosts — The httpsd process handles HTTPS administrative access. High CPU could be due to brute-force attacks or excessive GUI logins. The best action is to change the administrative access port or limit access via trusted hosts.
What should I do if I get this NSE7 question wrong?
Identify which NSE7 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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