The correct answer is that the internal server is trying to access the router's web interface, which is blocked by an ACL. This is because the log messages show repeated TCP connection attempts from source IP 10.0.0.2 to the router’s own IP on ports 443 and 80, both of which are denied by the access control list. When an ACL is blocking management access to a router, any internal device attempting to reach the router’s HTTPS or HTTP services will generate these exact denial logs, confirming that the server is targeting the router’s web interface rather than passing through it. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between traffic destined for the router itself versus traffic transiting the router—a common trap where candidates mistakenly think the ACL is blocking outbound traffic from the server. Remember the key clue: if the destination IP matches the router’s own interface, it is management access, not forwarding. A helpful memory tip is “Router as host, not a ghost”—when the router is the endpoint, ACLs protect its own services.
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
! Output from show logging on Cisco IOS router
Mar 1 10:00:00: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12345) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Mar 1 10:00:01: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12346) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Mar 1 10:00:02: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12347) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Mar 1 10:00:03: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12348) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Refer to the exhibit. An analyst sees these log messages on a Cisco router. The source IP 10.0.0.2 is an internal server. What is the most likely explanation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit.
! Output from show logging on Cisco IOS router
Mar 1 10:00:00: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12345) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Mar 1 10:00:01: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12346) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Mar 1 10:00:02: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12347) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
Mar 1 10:00:03: %SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list INBOUND denied tcp 10.0.0.2(12348) -> 192.168.1.1(80), 1 packet
A
An external host is scanning the router.
Why wrong: Source is internal IP 10.0.0.2.
B
The router is under a brute-force attack on the HTTP server.
Why wrong: The logs show denied packets, not multiple authentication attempts.
C
The internal server is trying to access the router's web interface, which is blocked by an ACL.
The router's own IP is being targeted on HTTP; this is likely management access.
D
The router is infected with malware and generating traffic.
Why wrong: The traffic is from the server, not the router.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The internal server is trying to access the router's web interface, which is blocked by an ACL.
The log messages show repeated TCP connection attempts from internal server 10.0.0.2 to the router's IP on port 443 (HTTPS) and port 80 (HTTP), which are denied by an ACL. Since the source is an internal server and the destination is the router's own IP, this indicates the server is trying to reach the router's web interface, but the ACL is blocking those packets. Option C correctly identifies this scenario.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
An external host is scanning the router.
Why it's wrong here
Source is internal IP 10.0.0.2.
✗
The router is under a brute-force attack on the HTTP server.
Why it's wrong here
The logs show denied packets, not multiple authentication attempts.
✓
The internal server is trying to access the router's web interface, which is blocked by an ACL.
Why this is correct
The router's own IP is being targeted on HTTP; this is likely management access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The router is infected with malware and generating traffic.
Why it's wrong here
The traffic is from the server, not the router.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between inbound vs. outbound traffic and internal vs. external sources, so the trap here is assuming any denied traffic to a router must be an external attack, when the source IP clearly shows it is an internal host.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The logs show denied packets, not multiple authentication attempts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco routers log ACL deny actions when a packet matches a deny entry in an access list applied to an interface. The log messages here include protocol (TCP), source/destination IPs, ports, and the ACL number/sequence, which is standard for Cisco IOS 'log' keyword on ACL entries. In real-world scenarios, internal servers may be misconfigured to use the router's IP as a proxy or management gateway, leading to such denied attempts; verifying the ACL configuration and the server's proxy settings is a common troubleshooting step.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The internal server is trying to access the router's web interface, which is blocked by an ACL. — The log messages show repeated TCP connection attempts from internal server 10.0.0.2 to the router's IP on port 443 (HTTPS) and port 80 (HTTP), which are denied by an ACL. Since the source is an internal server and the destination is the router's own IP, this indicates the server is trying to reach the router's web interface, but the ACL is blocking those packets. Option C correctly identifies this scenario.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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