This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An analyst examines a PCAP file and sees a series of HTTP POST requests to an external server with Base64-encoded payloads in the request body. The payloads decode to small text strings. Which type of data exfiltration technique is being used?
Session hijacking
Why wrong: Session hijacking involves stealing session tokens, not exfiltration.
DNS exfiltration
Why wrong: DNS exfiltration uses DNS queries, not HTTP POST.
HTTP data exfiltration
Data hidden in HTTP POST requests is a typical exfiltration technique.
HTTP tunneling
Why wrong: Tunneling encapsulates other protocols, not necessarily exfiltration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
HTTP data exfiltration
The analyst observes HTTP POST requests carrying Base64-encoded payloads in the request body that decode to small text strings. This is a classic indicator of HTTP data exfiltration, where sensitive data is encoded and sent over HTTP to an external server, bypassing security controls by blending with normal web traffic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Session hijacking
Why it's wrong here
Session hijacking involves stealing session tokens, not exfiltration.
DNS exfiltration
HTTP data exfiltration
Why this is correct
Data hidden in HTTP POST requests is a typical exfiltration technique.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
HTTP tunneling
Why it's wrong here
Tunneling encapsulates other protocols, not necessarily exfiltration.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between HTTP data exfiltration and HTTP tunneling, where the trap is that candidates confuse encapsulating another protocol (tunneling) with simply sending encoded data over HTTP (exfiltration).
Detailed technical explanation
Base64 encoding is commonly used in exfiltration to obfuscate data and avoid detection by signature-based systems, as it converts binary data into ASCII text. In HTTP data exfiltration, the attacker typically crafts POST requests with the encoded data in the body, often mimicking legitimate API calls or form submissions to evade inspection. Real-world scenarios include malware like Dridex or Emotet using HTTP POST to exfiltrate stolen credentials or system information.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: HTTP data exfiltration — The analyst observes HTTP POST requests carrying Base64-encoded payloads in the request body that decode to small text strings. This is a classic indicator of HTTP data exfiltration, where sensitive data is encoded and sent over HTTP to an external server, bypassing security controls by blending with normal web traffic.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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