The answer is that CloudFront requests originate from CloudFront IP addresses, not the end user's IP. This is the most likely cause of the 403 Forbidden error because when CloudFront fetches objects from an S3 origin, it uses its own edge location IP addresses rather than forwarding the viewer’s IP. The bucket policy restricts access to the corporate IP range 203.0.113.0/24, but CloudFront’s requests come from AWS’s CloudFront edge IP range, which falls outside that corporate block, causing S3 to deny the request. On the Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how CDN architectures bypass direct IP-based controls—a common trap where candidates assume the origin sees the client’s IP. The correct approach is to use CloudFront’s Origin Access Control (OAC) or a signed URL, not an IP condition on the bucket policy. Memory tip: “CloudFront hides the client’s IP; your bucket policy can’t see what it can’t see.”
CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud application security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 AWS S3 bucket policy is configured as shown in the exhibit. The security team wants to ensure that only requests from the corporate IP range (203.0.113.0/24) can read objects in the bucket. However, they notice that a CloudFront distribution configured to serve content from this bucket is returning 403 Forbidden errors. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
CloudFront requests originate from CloudFront IP addresses, not the end user's IP.
D is correct because when CloudFront fetches objects from an S3 origin, it uses its own IP addresses, not the end user's IP address. The bucket policy restricts access to the corporate IP range (203.0.113.0/24), but CloudFront's requests come from AWS's CloudFront edge IP range, which falls outside that range. This causes S3 to deny the request, resulting in a 403 Forbidden error.
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.
✗
The bucket policy has a syntax error in the Condition block.
Why it's wrong here
The syntax is valid JSON and the condition is correctly formatted.
✗
There is an implicit deny that overrides the explicit allow.
Why it's wrong here
An explicit allow overrides an implicit deny; the issue is with the IP condition.
✗
The bucket policy does not allow the s3:GetObject action.
Why it's wrong here
The policy explicitly allows s3:GetObject.
✓
CloudFront requests originate from CloudFront IP addresses, not the end user's IP.
Why this is correct
The condition on aws:SourceIp checks the IP of the requestor, which is CloudFront's IP, not the viewer's IP.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that the end user's IP address is preserved through a CDN or proxy, leading candidates to incorrectly assume the bucket policy's IP restriction will work as intended.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFront uses a shared IP address pool that is distinct from the origin's IP range. When CloudFront forwards a request to S3, the source IP is one of CloudFront's edge servers, not the original client's IP. To allow CloudFront access while still restricting direct access, you must either use an Origin Access Identity (OAI) or an Origin Access Control (OAC) to grant CloudFront explicit permissions, or use the aws:SourceIp condition with CloudFront's IP ranges (which is impractical due to their dynamic nature).
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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.
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: CloudFront requests originate from CloudFront IP addresses, not the end user's IP. — D is correct because when CloudFront fetches objects from an S3 origin, it uses its own IP addresses, not the end user's IP address. The bucket policy restricts access to the corporate IP range (203.0.113.0/24), but CloudFront's requests come from AWS's CloudFront edge IP range, which falls outside that range. This causes S3 to deny the request, resulting in a 403 Forbidden error.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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