The answer is only hosts in the 10.0.0.0/8 range can connect. This is correct because the security group inbound rules explicitly permit traffic on the database port from the 10.0.0.0/8 CIDR block, and since the database server resides in a private subnet without a public IP, it is only reachable from within that RFC 1918 address space. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this tests your understanding of how security group inbound rules control access at the instance level, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a misconfigured rule or public IP assignment is a common trap. Remember that a security group is stateful and evaluates rules permissive by default, but the key is matching the source CIDR to the network topology. A useful memory tip: “Inbound rules are the bouncer—only the IPs on the list get past the door.”
SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Only hosts in the 10.0.0.0/8 range
The security group rule allows inbound traffic on the database port from the 10.0.0.0/8 range. Since the database server is in a private subnet with no public IP, only hosts within that RFC 1918 address space can reach it. Option D is correct because the rule explicitly permits only 10.0.0.0/8, which includes internal hosts in that range.
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.
✗
No hosts can connect to the database
Why it's wrong here
Hosts in the 10.0.0.0/8 range can connect on port 3306.
✗
Both internet hosts and internal hosts
Why it's wrong here
Internet hosts cannot access port 3306; they are only allowed on port 443.
✗
Any host on the internet
Why it's wrong here
Only hosts in the 10.0.0.0/8 range are allowed on port 3306; internet hosts are allowed only on port 443.
✓
Only hosts in the 10.0.0.0/8 range
Why this is correct
The security group allows port 3306 traffic only from the 10.0.0.0/8 CIDR.
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 a security group rule allowing a private IP range (like 10.0.0.0/8) also permits internet hosts, but the trap is that internet hosts cannot have source IPs in that private range unless they are behind NAT or VPN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Security groups are stateful, meaning if an inbound rule allows traffic from 10.0.0.0/8, the return traffic is automatically permitted regardless of outbound rules. The 10.0.0.0/8 range is a private IPv4 address block defined in RFC 1918, typically used for internal networks. In a real-world scenario, a database server in a VPC with this rule would only accept connections from other instances or on-premises hosts within that CIDR, blocking all external traffic.
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.
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Only hosts in the 10.0.0.0/8 range — The security group rule allows inbound traffic on the database port from the 10.0.0.0/8 range. Since the database server is in a private subnet with no public IP, only hosts within that RFC 1918 address space can reach it. Option D is correct because the rule explicitly permits only 10.0.0.0/8, which includes internal hosts in that range.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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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This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
Question Discussion
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