The correct action is to verify if the WAF blocked the attack. This is the first priority because a Web Application Firewall (WAF) sits in front of the web application and inspects incoming traffic for malicious payloads like the SQL injection shown in the alert. By checking the WAF logs, the analyst can determine whether the attack was already mitigated or reached the database, which dictates the urgency of the response. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this scenario tests your understanding of defense-in-depth and the layered security roles of an IDS versus a WAF. A common trap is to immediately escalate or investigate the database logs, but the WAF verification step is the most efficient triage action. Remember the memory tip: “IDS shouts, WAF stops”—the IDS alerts you to the threat, but the WAF logs tell you if it was actually blocked.
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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 company's IDS generates an alert for a potential SQL injection attack on a web application. The analyst reviews the log and sees the following: "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'admin' OR 1=1 --'". Which action should the analyst take next?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify if the WAF blocked the attack
Option C is correct because the analyst's first priority is to determine whether the attack was actually successful or was already mitigated. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) sits in front of the web application and can inspect and block SQL injection payloads before they reach the database. By verifying the WAF logs, the analyst can confirm if the attack was blocked, which dictates the next steps—if blocked, no immediate escalation is needed; if not blocked, further investigation is required.
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.
✗
Submit a change request to patch the application
Why it's wrong here
Patching is important but should be based on confirmed vulnerability.
✗
Conduct a forensic analysis of the database
Why it's wrong here
Forensic analysis is resource-intensive and premature.
✓
Verify if the WAF blocked the attack
Why this is correct
First verify if the WAF mitigated the attack; IDS alerts often require correlation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Block the source IP immediately
Why it's wrong here
Blocking without verification may impact legitimate traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the candidate's ability to follow a proper incident response triage process—specifically, the trap is that candidates jump to a reactive action (like blocking IPs or patching) instead of first verifying whether existing controls (like a WAF) already mitigated the threat.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The payload 'OR 1=1 --' is a classic tautology-based SQL injection that attempts to bypass authentication by making the WHERE clause always true. A WAF typically uses signature-based detection (e.g., matching patterns like 'OR 1=1' or '--') and can also employ parameterized query validation to block such inputs. In a real-world scenario, the analyst should check the WAF's 'blocked' counter or review its access logs for the specific request ID to see if the WAF returned a 403 Forbidden or similar response, which would indicate the attack was neutralized at the edge.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Verify if the WAF blocked the attack — Option C is correct because the analyst's first priority is to determine whether the attack was actually successful or was already mitigated. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) sits in front of the web application and can inspect and block SQL injection payloads before they reach the database. By verifying the WAF logs, the analyst can confirm if the attack was blocked, which dictates the next steps—if blocked, no immediate escalation is needed; if not blocked, further investigation is required.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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