The correct next step is to isolate the web server and investigate for data breach. This is because a SQL injection attempt that returns a 200 OK status indicates the malicious request was processed successfully by the database, meaning the injection likely succeeded and data may have been exfiltrated or compromised. In incident response, a successful attack requires immediate containment to prevent further loss, followed by forensic analysis to determine the scope of the breach. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the incident response process within the Security Operations domain, specifically the containment and investigation phases. A common trap is to assume a 200 OK means no harm occurred, but in SQL injection contexts, it signals the opposite—the query executed. Memory tip: “200 OK + SQL = Data Gone.”
CISSP Security Assessment and Testing Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security assessment and testing. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
[IDS Alert]
Timestamp: 2024-03-15 14:32:17
Signature: ET WEB_SERVER SQL Injection Attempt
Source IP: 192.168.1.105
Destination IP: 10.0.0.5
Destination Port: 80
Payload: GET /search.php?q=1' OR '1'='1' HTTP/1.1
```
Exhibit:
A security analyst receives the IDS alert shown in the exhibit. The analyst checks the web server logs and finds that the request returned a 200 OK status. Which of the following should the analyst do NEXT?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Isolate the web server and investigate for data breach.
The IDS alert indicates a SQL injection attempt, and the web server returned a 200 OK status, which means the request was processed successfully. This combination strongly suggests that the injection may have succeeded, potentially leading to a data breach. The correct next step is to isolate the web server and investigate for evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized access, as per incident response procedures.
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.
✗
Tune the IDS to reduce false positives for SQL injection signatures.
Why it's wrong here
The IDS correctly identified the attack; tuning may cause missed detections.
✗
Delete the alert and continue monitoring.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring a successful attack could lead to data compromise.
✗
Ignore the alert because the IDS is known to produce false positives.
Why it's wrong here
The 200 OK response suggests the attack was successful, so it should not be ignored.
✓
Isolate the web server and investigate for data breach.
Why this is correct
The successful request indicates a potential breach; immediate containment is necessary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a 200 OK status means the attack failed, but in SQL injection, a successful attack can still return a 200 OK if the query executes without error, making isolation and investigation the mandatory next step.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SQL injection attacks often succeed even when the web server returns a 200 OK status, as the injection payload may be processed by the database without triggering an error page. The IDS signature detects the malicious pattern in the HTTP request, but the server's response code alone does not indicate whether the injection was neutralized by input validation or executed successfully. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could use a blind SQL injection technique where the response remains 200 OK while data is extracted via boolean-based or time-based inference.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Security Assessment and Testing — This question tests Security Assessment and Testing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Isolate the web server and investigate for data breach. — The IDS alert indicates a SQL injection attempt, and the web server returned a 200 OK status, which means the request was processed successfully. This combination strongly suggests that the injection may have succeeded, potentially leading to a data breach. The correct next step is to isolate the web server and investigate for evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized access, as per incident response procedures.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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Question Discussion
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