hardMultiple Choice
200-201 Practice Question: A security analyst observes a sudden spike in…
A security analyst observes a sudden spike in outbound traffic from a critical server to an external IP address on TCP port 443. The server is a web application server that normally only receives inbound connections. Which type of intrusion is most likely occurring?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between inbound attack types (like SQL injection or brute-force) and outbound indicators of compromise (like C2 traffic), leading candidates to confuse the direction of the traffic with the attack vector.
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
✓
Command-and-control (C2) communication from malware on the server
A sudden spike in outbound traffic from a server that normally only receives inbound connections is a classic indicator of command-and-control (C2) communication. Malware on the server often establishes outbound HTTPS (TCP 443) connections to a C2 server to exfiltrate data or receive instructions, bypassing firewalls that typically allow outbound web 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.
- ✗
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack from the server
Why it's wrong here
A DDoS floods the server with inbound requests; it does not generate outbound connections from the server to one external IP. It tempts as a traffic-spike explanation, but the direction and single destination indicate command-and-control beaconing instead.
- ✗
Brute-force attack on the server's SSH service
Why it's wrong here
SSH brute-forcing targets port 22 inbound, not outbound TCP 443 to an external address. It tempts because brute-force attacks generate traffic spikes against servers, but the port and direction here point to command-and-control communication instead.
- ✗
SQL injection attack against the server
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection manipulates database queries through inbound web input; it produces no outbound TCP 443 connection to an external host. It tempts because the target is a web application server, but the observed traffic pattern is outbound beaconing, not query tampering.
- ✓
Command-and-control (C2) communication from malware on the server
Why this is correct
Outbound TCP 443 from a server that normally only receives inbound connections indicates beaconing to an external controller. Malware establishes command-and-control channels over HTTPS to blend with legitimate traffic, matching the observed spike and the server's atypical outbound behaviour.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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