200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
During a forensic analysis, an analyst uses NetworkMiner to extract files from a PCAP. One of the extracted files contains a PE executable with a known signature of a malware variant. Which phase of the Cyber Kill Chain does the file transfer most likely represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between Delivery and Exploitation, where candidates mistakenly choose Exploitation because they see a malware file, but the PCAP only shows the transfer, not the execution or vulnerability trigger.
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
✓
Delivery
The file transfer from the PCAP represents the Delivery phase because NetworkMiner extracted a PE executable that was transmitted over the network, likely via HTTP, SMTP, or SMB. In the Cyber Kill Chain, Delivery is the phase where the weaponized payload is transmitted to the target system, which is exactly what a file transfer in a PCAP captures. The presence of a known malware signature confirms the payload was delivered, not yet executed or exploited.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Reconnaissance
Why it's wrong here
Reconnaissance is information gathering against targets, such as scanning or OSINT, and generates no payload transfer. It is tempting because forensic PCAPs often contain scanning noise, but the extracted PE executable with a malware signature is a delivered payload, which maps to Delivery, not Reconnaissance.
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Weaponization
Why it's wrong here
Weaponization is coupling an exploit with a deliverable payload, occurring before any network traffic; the PCAP shows the file already transferred. It is tempting because a malicious PE file is a weapon, but Weaponization produces the artefact, whereas the observed network transfer of that artefact belongs to Delivery.
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Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation is the action that triggers the vulnerability to execute code, occurring after the payload arrives; the PCAP only shows the file transfer itself. It is tempting because a malicious executable precedes code execution, but no exploitation event is evidenced, so the transfer maps to Delivery.
- ✓
Delivery
Why this is correct
Extracting a PE executable from the PCAP shows the malicious file being transferred to the target host, which is the Delivery phase of the Cyber Kill Chain. Delivery covers transmission of the weaponised payload via email, web, or USB, satisfying the scenario's file-transfer constraint.
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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.