hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: An analyst uses Wireshark to investigate a…
An analyst uses Wireshark to investigate a suspicious download. The TCP stream shows a GET request for a .exe file from an external IP, followed by a 200 OK response. The response contains the file but the last packet in the stream has a FIN flag set from the server. The client sends an ACK but then immediately sends a RST. What does this behavior suggest?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the difference between a graceful TCP teardown (FIN/ACK exchange) and an abrupt reset (RST), and the trap here is assuming that any ACK followed by a RST indicates a crash or normal behavior, rather than recognizing the RST as an intentional evasion tactic.
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
✓
The client intentionally terminated the connection to evade detection
The client sending a RST immediately after acknowledging the FIN indicates an abnormal termination. In a normal TCP teardown, the client would send its own FIN to close the connection gracefully. The RST suggests the client application intentionally aborted the connection, which is a common evasion technique to avoid detection by network monitoring tools that may not fully process the RST.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The client application crashed after receiving the file
Why it's wrong here
Crash would likely not send a clean ACK then RST.
- ✗
Normal completion of download
Why it's wrong here
Normal completion does not include a RST after ACK.
- ✗
The server is performing a delayed response
Why it's wrong here
Server is not initiating the RST.
- ✓
The client intentionally terminated the connection to evade detection
Why this is correct
RST after receiving data can be used to avoid logging.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.