- A
4648
Explicit credentials logon, often used with runas for privilege escalation.
- B
4776
Credential validation events can indicate pass-the-hash or brute-force.
- C
4720
Why wrong: Account creation may be part of persistence, not directly privilege escalation.
- D
4625
Why wrong: Failed logon events indicate brute-force attempts, not necessarily privilege escalation.
- E
4624
Successful logon events can reveal lateral movement.
Question 554 of 1,000
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based 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 is examining a Windows system for evidence of privilege escalation or credential theft. Which THREE Event IDs should the analyst focus on in the Security log? (Select THREE)
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
✓
4648
Event ID 4648 (A logon was attempted using explicit credentials) is correct because it records when a user explicitly provides credentials to run a program or service, which is a common technique in privilege escalation (e.g., runas) and credential theft (e.g., pass-the-hash). This event captures the target account, source process, and target workstation, making it invaluable for detecting lateral movement or credential misuse.
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.
- ✓
4648
Why this is correct
Explicit credentials logon, often used with runas for privilege escalation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
4776
Why this is correct
Credential validation events can indicate pass-the-hash or brute-force.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
4720
Why it's wrong here
Account creation may be part of persistence, not directly privilege escalation.
- ✗
4625
Why it's wrong here
Failed logon events indicate brute-force attempts, not necessarily privilege escalation.
- ✓
4624
Why this is correct
Successful logon events can reveal lateral movement.
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 Event IDs that log authentication attempts (4624, 4625) versus those that log credential usage (4648, 4776), trapping candidates who confuse successful logons (4624) with evidence of credential theft.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Event ID 4776 is generated by the domain controller when the NTLM authentication service (Netlogon) validates credentials, making it critical for detecting pass-the-hash attacks where an attacker uses stolen NTLM hashes to authenticate. Event ID 4624 logs successful logons, but the subtype (e.g., Logon Type 9 for explicit credentials) is key; analysts must correlate 4624 with 4648 to distinguish normal logons from credential reuse. In real-world attacks, adversaries often use tools like Mimikatz to extract credentials and then leverage explicit logons (4648) to pivot, while 4776 reveals the NTLM authentication path.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 4648 — Event ID 4648 (A logon was attempted using explicit credentials) is correct because it records when a user explicitly provides credentials to run a program or service, which is a common technique in privilege escalation (e.g., runas) and credential theft (e.g., pass-the-hash). This event captures the target account, source process, and target workstation, making it invaluable for detecting lateral movement or credential misuse.
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.
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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