- A
Using signed URLs for all requests
Why wrong: Signed URLs authenticate requests, but do not prevent server-side requests.
- B
Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules
Why wrong: WAF can block malicious payloads but may not prevent access to internal IPs.
- C
Network-level egress filtering to block 169.254.169.254
Blocking traffic to the metadata IP at the network layer prevents SSRF from reaching it.
- D
Input validation on URL parameters
Why wrong: Input validation reduces attack surface but may be bypassed.
Question 254 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud application security. 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 exploits a cloud application to make HTTP requests to an internal metadata service and retrieve temporary credentials. Which control would be most effective in preventing this attack?
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
✓
Network-level egress filtering to block 169.254.169.254
Option C is correct because the attack exploits the cloud metadata service at the link-local address 169.254.169.254 (RFC 3927). Network-level egress filtering blocks outbound traffic to this IP, preventing the attacker from reaching the metadata service even if the application is compromised. This is a fundamental defense-in-depth control for cloud workloads.
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.
- ✗
Using signed URLs for all requests
Why it's wrong here
Signed URLs authenticate requests, but do not prevent server-side requests.
- ✗
Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules
Why it's wrong here
WAF can block malicious payloads but may not prevent access to internal IPs.
- ✓
Network-level egress filtering to block 169.254.169.254
Why this is correct
Blocking traffic to the metadata IP at the network layer prevents SSRF from reaching it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Input validation on URL parameters
Why it's wrong here
Input validation reduces attack surface but may be bypassed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between inbound controls (WAF, input validation) and outbound controls (egress filtering) for SSRF attacks, and the trap here is that candidates assume a WAF or input validation can block internal requests when only network-layer egress rules can stop the outbound connection to the metadata service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The metadata service at 169.254.169.254 is a link-local address that cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure) use to expose instance metadata and temporary credentials. In a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attack, the attacker tricks the application into making a request to this IP, often bypassing host-based firewalls because the request originates from the instance itself. Egress filtering at the network layer (e.g., security group rules or VPC ACLs) explicitly denies outbound traffic to 169.254.169.254/32, breaking the attack chain regardless of application-level vulnerabilities.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Application Security — This question tests Cloud Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Network-level egress filtering to block 169.254.169.254 — Option C is correct because the attack exploits the cloud metadata service at the link-local address 169.254.169.254 (RFC 3927). Network-level egress filtering blocks outbound traffic to this IP, preventing the attacker from reaching the metadata service even if the application is compromised. This is a fundamental defense-in-depth control for cloud workloads.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.
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