- A
Kerberoasting
Why wrong: Kerberoasting targets service accounts.
- B
SMB relay
Relays authentication to other hosts.
- C
Brute force
Why wrong: Brute force tries passwords.
- D
Golden ticket
Why wrong: Golden ticket forges Kerberos tickets.
- E
Pass-the-hash
Uses NTLM hash directly.
Question 63 of 1,000
200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
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 identifies a series of SMB authentication attempts from a compromised host to multiple internal servers. The authentication uses NTLM hashes. Which TWO techniques are most likely being used for lateral movement? (Select 2)
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.
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
✓
SMB relay
SMB relay (B) is correct because the attacker can intercept NTLM authentication attempts from the compromised host and relay them to other internal servers, gaining unauthorized access without needing to crack the hash. This technique leverages the SMB protocol's lack of channel binding in older implementations, allowing the relayed hash to authenticate to multiple targets.
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.
- ✗
Kerberoasting
Why it's wrong here
Kerberoasting targets service accounts.
- ✓
SMB relay
Why this is correct
Relays authentication to other hosts.
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.
- ✗
Brute force
Why it's wrong here
Brute force tries passwords.
- ✗
Golden ticket
Why it's wrong here
Golden ticket forges Kerberos tickets.
- ✓
Pass-the-hash
Why this is correct
Uses NTLM hash directly.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'pass-the-hash' (reusing a hash directly from the compromised host) and 'SMB relay' (forwarding the authentication challenge to another server), which candidates confuse as the same technique.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pass-the-hash (E) works by extracting the NTLM hash from memory (e.g., via Mimikatz) and using it directly in an SMB authentication exchange without needing the plaintext password. In a real-world attack, tools like Impacket's smbexec or psexec can pass the hash to execute commands on remote systems, and the attacker may chain this with SMB relay to pivot across multiple servers if SMB signing is disabled.
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 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
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SMB relay — SMB relay (B) is correct because the attacker can intercept NTLM authentication attempts from the compromised host and relay them to other internal servers, gaining unauthorized access without needing to crack the hash. This technique leverages the SMB protocol's lack of channel binding in older implementations, allowing the relayed hash to authenticate to multiple targets.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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