The answer is to remove the VNet peering between SpokeA and SpokeB. This is the correct first step because direct peering creates a shortcut that bypasses the Azure Virtual WAN secured hub, allowing traffic to avoid Azure Firewall inspection entirely. By removing the peering, all inter-spoke traffic is forced to route through the hub, where the firewall can enforce inspection as required. On the AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Azure Virtual WAN routing interacts with VNet peering—a common trap is thinking a User-Defined Route (UDR) can override a direct peering connection, but peering takes precedence over system routes. The exam also emphasizes using Azure Firewall Manager for centralized policy and Azure Policy to prevent future peering, but those are preventive measures, not immediate fixes. Remember the memory tip: “Peering bypasses, removal enforces”—if you see direct peering in a secured hub scenario, the first action is always to cut that direct link.
AZ-500 Secure networking Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure networking. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You are the security engineer for a financial services company that has multiple Azure subscriptions. The company uses Azure Virtual WAN with a secured hub containing Azure Firewall. Recently, the compliance team identified that traffic between two spoke virtual networks (SpokeA and SpokeB) is bypassing the firewall. Investigation shows that SpokeA and SpokeB are directly peered and have not been routed through the hub. The requirement is that all inter-spoke traffic must be inspected by Azure Firewall. You need to enforce this without disrupting existing applications. Also, the company uses Azure Firewall Manager for policy management and wants to use Azure Policy to prevent future direct peering. What should you do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remove the VNet peering between SpokeA and SpokeB.
Option B is correct because the immediate issue is the direct peering bypassing the firewall. Removing the peering forces traffic to go through the hub via Virtual WAN routing. Option A is wrong because a UDR would not override the peering. Option C is wrong because Azure Policy prevents future peering but does not fix existing. Option D is wrong because disabling routing would break connectivity.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Remove the VNet peering between SpokeA and SpokeB.
Why this is correct
Removing peering forces traffic through the Virtual WAN hub and firewall.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Disable 'Use remote virtual network gateways' on both spokes.
Create an Azure Policy to deny VNet peering between spokes.
Why it's wrong here
Policy prevents future peering but does not remove existing peering.
✗
Add a user-defined route in SpokeA and SpokeB pointing to the Azure Firewall for inter-spoke traffic.
Why it's wrong here
UDRs are not effective when direct peering exists; peering takes precedence.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-500 question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related AZ-500 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Secure networking — This question tests Secure networking — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remove the VNet peering between SpokeA and SpokeB. — Option B is correct because the immediate issue is the direct peering bypassing the firewall. Removing the peering forces traffic to go through the hub via Virtual WAN routing. Option A is wrong because a UDR would not override the peering. Option C is wrong because Azure Policy prevents future peering but does not fix existing. Option D is wrong because disabling routing would break connectivity.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related AZ-500 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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