PCNSA Securing Traffic Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
security-policy {
rules {
rule1 {
name "Allow-Web";
source-zone "Trust";
destination-zone "Untrust";
source-address "10.0.0.0/24";
destination-address "any";
application "web-browsing";
service "tcp-80";
action "allow";
}
rule2 {
name "Block-All";
source-zone "any";
destination-zone "any";
application "any";
service "any";
action "deny";
}
}
}Refer to the exhibit. A user from 10.0.0.10 attempts to access an HTTP website hosted on 203.0.113.5 using TCP port 8080. The connection fails. The firewall logs show no session for this traffic. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume changing the service to 'any' or removing the service restriction will allow the traffic, but they overlook that the application 'web-browsing' still has a default port binding of 80, so the traffic on port 8080 will not be matched by the rule.
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
✓
Create a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 and add it to rule1.
The firewall rule allows HTTP (port 80) but the client is using TCP port 8080. Since the application is set to 'web-browsing' (which typically matches only port 80), the traffic is not identified as matching that application. Creating a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 and adding it to rule1 allows the firewall to correctly identify and permit the traffic.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Add a new rule before rule1 with application 'web-browsing' and service 'tcp-8080'.
Why it's wrong here
The application 'web-browsing' by default only matches port 80, so it would not identify traffic on port 8080 without a custom application.
- ✗
Remove the service restriction from rule1.
Why it's wrong here
Without service restriction, the rule still requires the application to be identified. Since 'web-browsing' may not identify traffic on port 8080 without a custom app, this change may not resolve the issue and could reduce security.
- ✓
Create a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 and add it to rule1.
Why this is correct
A custom application allows App-ID to correctly identify HTTP traffic on non-standard ports, and adding it to the rule allows the traffic.
- ✗
Change the application in rule1 to 'any' to match all applications.
Why it's wrong here
This would allow all applications, not just web traffic, reducing security.
Visual reference
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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.