The answer is that clients will be unable to connect to the application because HTTPS is not explicitly allowed. This is correct because the firewall rules include an ACCEPT rule for port 80 (HTTP) but no corresponding rule for port 443 (HTTPS), and the default policy is set to DROP. Since firewall rules are evaluated sequentially and any traffic not matching an explicit ACCEPT rule is dropped by the default policy, HTTPS packets are silently discarded. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of implicit deny and default-deny architectures, a core concept in access control and network security. A common trap is assuming that allowing HTTP implicitly permits HTTPS, or that a LOG rule for a different source range somehow covers HTTPS traffic. Remember the memory tip: “If it’s not explicitly allowed, it’s denied—port 443 needs its own key to open the door.”
CISSP Software Development Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of software development 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. An application running on this server uses HTTPS (port 443). What is the most likely impact of the current firewall rules on the application?
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
✓
Clients will be unable to connect to the application because HTTPS is not explicitly allowed.
Option B is correct because the exhibit shows an ACCEPT rule for port 80 but no rule for port 443. The default policy is DROP, so HTTPS traffic will be dropped. Option A is wrong because port 80 HTTP is allowed but not HTTPS. Option C is wrong because there is no rule for port 443. Option D is wrong because the rules do not log HTTPS traffic; the LOG rule is for source 10.0.0.0/8.
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.
✗
Clients will only be able to connect from IP addresses in the 10.0.0.0/8 range.
Why it's wrong here
Those IPs are either logged or dropped, not allowed.
✗
The application will function normally as HTTP is allowed.
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is allowed but the application uses HTTPS, so traffic to port 443 will be dropped.
✓
Clients will be unable to connect to the application because HTTPS is not explicitly allowed.
Why this is correct
Only port 80 is allowed; port 443 is blocked by the default DROP policy.
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.
✗
All HTTPS traffic will be logged and then dropped.
Why it's wrong here
No rule logs HTTPS; only traffic from 10.0.0.0/8 is logged.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identify which CISSP 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.
Software Development Security — This question tests Software Development Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Clients will be unable to connect to the application because HTTPS is not explicitly allowed. — Option B is correct because the exhibit shows an ACCEPT rule for port 80 but no rule for port 443. The default policy is DROP, so HTTPS traffic will be dropped. Option A is wrong because port 80 HTTP is allowed but not HTTPS. Option C is wrong because there is no rule for port 443. Option D is wrong because the rules do not log HTTPS traffic; the LOG rule is for source 10.0.0.0/8.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP 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: "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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