- A
Dependency Confusion
Why wrong: Dependency confusion involves package name hijacking.
- B
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
SSRF tricks the server into making requests to internal endpoints.
- C
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Why wrong: XSS injects scripts into web pages.
- D
SQL Injection
Why wrong: SQL injection targets databases.
Question 535 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud application security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which cloud-specific attack involves an application making HTTP requests to internal metadata endpoints such as 169.254.169.254 to retrieve cloud instance credentials?
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
✓
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
The attack described is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), where an attacker exploits a vulnerable application to make HTTP requests to internal metadata endpoints like 169.254.169.254 (the link-local address for cloud instance metadata services). This allows the attacker to retrieve cloud instance credentials (e.g., AWS IAM role temporary credentials) that are normally accessible only from within the instance, leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement.
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.
- ✗
Dependency Confusion
Why it's wrong here
Dependency confusion involves package name hijacking.
- ✓
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Why this is correct
SSRF tricks the server into making requests to internal endpoints.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Why it's wrong here
XSS injects scripts into web pages.
- ✗
SQL Injection
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection targets databases.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests SSRF by pairing it with the specific IP 169.254.169.254, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse SSRF with Dependency Confusion (both involve external resources) or think XSS/SQLi can be used to access internal endpoints, but only SSRF exploits server-side request handling to reach cloud metadata.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Dependency confusion involves package name hijacking.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The metadata endpoint 169.254.169.254 is a link-local address (RFC 3927) used by cloud providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure to expose instance metadata, including IAM role credentials. In an SSRF attack, the attacker crafts a request (e.g., via a URL parameter or file upload) that the server fetches, bypassing network ACLs because the request originates from the instance itself. A real-world example is the Capital One breach (2019), where an SSRF vulnerability in a WAF allowed access to AWS metadata and exfiltration of over 100 million customer records.
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: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) — The attack described is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), where an attacker exploits a vulnerable application to make HTTP requests to internal metadata endpoints like 169.254.169.254 (the link-local address for cloud instance metadata services). This allows the attacker to retrieve cloud instance credentials (e.g., AWS IAM role temporary credentials) that are normally accessible only from within the instance, leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement.
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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