mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ``` Mar 1 12:34:56.789: %ASA-5-111008: User 'admin' executed the 'configure terminal' command. Mar 1 12:35:01.123: %ASA-4-106023: Deny tcp src outside:192.0.2.10/12345 dst inside:10.0.0.1/80 by access-group "OUTSIDE_IN" [0x0, 0x0] Mar 1 12:35:05.456: %ASA-4-106023: Deny tcp src outside:192.0.2.10/12346 dst inside:10.0.0.2/443 by access-group "OUTSIDE_IN" [0x0, 0x0] ```
Refer to the exhibit. A network analyst sees these firewall logs. What is the most likely interpretation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a port scan (multiple destinations/ports from one source) and a C2 beacon (single destination, periodic traffic), where candidates mistakenly interpret any blocked external traffic as malware callbacks.
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
✓
An attacker is performing a port scan on internal hosts from the outside
The firewall logs show multiple denied TCP connection attempts from a single external IP to various internal IPs on different ports (e.g., 80, 443, 22). This pattern of sequential probes across multiple destinations and ports is characteristic of a port scan, where an attacker systematically probes for open services. The rule OUTSIDE_IN is correctly logging and blocking these attempts, indicating the firewall is functioning as designed to prevent reconnaissance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
An attacker is performing a port scan on internal hosts from the outside
Why this is correct
Repeated denies from same source to different destinations on common ports indicate a scan.
- ✗
The firewall rule OUTSIDE_IN is misconfigured and blocking all traffic
Why it's wrong here
Only specific denies are shown, not all traffic.
- ✗
A malware is trying to phone home to an external C2 server
Why it's wrong here
Traffic is inbound, not outbound.
- ✗
A user is trying to access internal web servers legitimately but is blocked by ACL
Why it's wrong here
Multiple ports to different destinations suggest scanning, not normal access.
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JA
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.