mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCNSA Practice Question: An administrator configures a security policy…
An administrator configures a security policy rule to block traffic from IP address 10.1.1.1 to 10.2.2.2 on any service. However, traffic from 10.1.1.1 to 10.2.2.2 is still passing through the firewall. After checking all rules, what is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume all traffic filtering is done in the security rulebase and overlook the existence and precedence of the PBF rulebase, which can cause traffic to bypass security rules entirely.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The rule is configured in the PBF rulebase instead of the Security rulebase
Policy-Based Forwarding (PBF) rules are evaluated before security rules and can override security policy decisions. If the traffic matches a PBF rule, it may be forwarded without being subject to the security rulebase, even if a security rule explicitly blocks it. This is the most likely cause because the administrator configured the block in the wrong rulebase.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The rule is placed after an allow rule that matches the traffic
Why it's wrong here
If the block rule is below an allow rule, the allow rule will match first, but the administrator said the rule is placed correctly; this is a possible cause but less likely if ordering is verified.
- ✗
The source and destination zones are set to 'any'
Why it's wrong here
Setting zones to 'any' would not prevent the rule from matching; it would broaden the match.
- ✗
There is an implicit allow rule that overrides the block rule
Why it's wrong here
The implicit rule at the end is deny, not allow. Only explicit allow rules can override.
- ✓
The rule is configured in the PBF rulebase instead of the Security rulebase
Why this is correct
Policy-Based Forwarding rules do not enforce security; they only redirect traffic. If the rule was accidentally placed in PBF, it would not block.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This PCNSA question is part of Courseiva's 516-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCNSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks 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 PCNSA exam.