The answer is that the S3 bucket policy allows any IP to write objects, which is the critical security risk. This is correct because the policy grants `s3:PutObject` permission to `Principal: *` (any unauthenticated user) without any IP address condition, meaning anyone on the internet can upload files to the bucket. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the S3 bucket policy public write risk, often appearing in questions about data protection and access control in cloud environments. A common trap is overlooking that `Principal: *` combined with a missing `Condition` block effectively opens the bucket to the world, even if the policy seems otherwise restrictive. Remember the memory tip: “No condition on PutObject means anyone can upload objects”—if you see `s3:PutObject` with `Principal: *` and no IP restriction, the risk is always public write access.
CISSP Security Operations Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It allows any IP to write objects
The S3 bucket policy in the exhibit grants `s3:PutObject` permission to `Principal: *` (anyone) without any condition restricting the source IP. This means any unauthenticated user on the internet can upload objects to the bucket, leading to potential data corruption, storage cost abuse, or malware hosting. Option D correctly identifies this risk because the policy allows any IP to write objects.
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.
✗
It only allows read from a specific IP
Why it's wrong here
True, but the risk is the unrestricted write.
✗
It allows public read access to all objects
Why it's wrong here
Read access is restricted to a specific IP range.
✗
It denies all access
Why it's wrong here
The policy allows access.
✓
It allows any IP to write objects
Why this is correct
PutObject has no IP restriction.
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 focus on the obvious public read access (Option B) and overlook the more dangerous public write permission, which is the primary security risk in this policy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, an S3 bucket policy with `Principal: *` and `Action: s3:PutObject` without a `Condition` block (e.g., `IpAddress` or `StringEquals`) effectively opens the bucket to anonymous uploads from any IPv4 or IPv6 address. In real-world scenarios, attackers can use this to host malicious content, consume your storage quota, or stage data for exfiltration, and AWS will bill the bucket owner for all PUT requests and storage used.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It allows any IP to write objects — The S3 bucket policy in the exhibit grants `s3:PutObject` permission to `Principal: *` (anyone) without any condition restricting the source IP. This means any unauthenticated user on the internet can upload objects to the bucket, leading to potential data corruption, storage cost abuse, or malware hosting. Option D correctly identifies this risk because the policy allows any IP to write objects.
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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