hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: A company's security team is investigating an…
A company's security team is investigating an alert from their EDR platform indicating that a workstation in the finance department has been making repeated connections to an external IP address associated with a known command-and-control (C2) server. The analyst has isolated the host from the network and is performing host-based analysis. The host is running Windows 10 with Sysmon deployed and Windows Event Logging enabled. The analyst reviews Sysmon events and finds: - Event ID 1 (Process Creation): 'powershell.exe -NoP -NonI -W Hidden -Enc JABzAD0ATgBlAHcALQBPAEI ...' (long encoded string) - Event ID 3 (Network Connect): powershell.exe connecting to the C2 IP on port 443 (HTTPS), and also to an internal IP on port 445 (SMB). - Event ID 11 (FileCreate): a file created at C:\Users\financeuser\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\svchost.exe (size 512KB) with no signature. - Event ID 7 (Image Load): svchost.exe (from AppData) loaded 'crypt32.dll'. - Event ID 8 (CreateRemoteThread): not observed. The analyst also checks the Windows Security log and finds Event ID 4624 (Success Logon) for the user 'financeuser' from a remote workstation at 2:00 AM, which is outside normal hours. The workstation is part of the Active Directory domain. The analyst needs to determine the most effective next step to contain the threat and prevent recurrence.
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between host-level containment (e.g., deleting files) and domain-level containment (e.g., credential revocation), where candidates mistakenly choose a simple file removal or reimage without addressing the broader authentication compromise indicated by the SMB connection and off-hours logon.
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
✓
Change the user's password, revoke all Kerberos tickets, and check for lateral movement using the SMB connection observed.
The SMB connection (port 445) to an internal IP strongly indicates lateral movement via techniques like PsExec or scheduled tasks. Changing the user's password and revoking Kerberos tickets (e.g., using `klist -li 0x3e7 purge`) immediately cuts off the attacker's authenticated access, while checking for lateral movement addresses the broader compromise. This aligns with the NIST incident response containment phase, prioritizing credential and token revocation over file deletion or reimaging alone.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Isolate the host further by blocking all inbound and outbound traffic via the host firewall, then perform memory acquisition and deep forensic analysis before remediation.
Why it's wrong here
While forensics are important, immediate action against credential compromise is more critical to prevent lateral spread.
- ✗
Remove the malicious svchost.exe file and kill the powershell process, then run a full antivirus scan.
Why it's wrong here
This only addresses symptoms; the compromised credentials remain a risk.
- ✗
Power off the workstation and reimage it immediately, then reset the user's password.
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging destroys forensic evidence; password reset alone may not stop lateral movement already initiated.
- ✓
Change the user's password, revoke all Kerberos tickets, and check for lateral movement using the SMB connection observed.
Why this is correct
The SMB connection suggests lateral movement; resetting credentials and revoking tickets prevents further abuse of the account.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-201 exam.