200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
While analyzing a packet capture in Wireshark, an analyst observes a series of TCP packets with the PSH, ACK flags set and a payload containing the string 'cmd.exe /c whoami'. The destination port is 4444. Which type of activity is most likely indicated?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is overlooking the non-standard port and cleartext command, assuming it might be legitimate remote administration, when reverse shells often use high ports like 4444.
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
✓
A reverse shell established by malware
The packet capture shows TCP traffic to port 4444 with a payload containing a Windows command. This is a classic indicator of a reverse shell, where malware on a compromised host connects back to an attacker-controlled listener. SSH would be encrypted and on port 22, web traffic would be HTTP on standard ports, and DNS tunneling would use port 53. The correct answer is the reverse shell.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A DNS tunneling session exfiltrating data
Why it's wrong here
DNS tunneling would use port 53 and encode data in DNS queries/responses, not send cleartext 'cmd.exe' commands over TCP port 4444. The observed traffic is a direct TCP session carrying shell commands, which is characteristic of a reverse shell, not DNS tunneling.
- ✗
A web server serving content on a non-standard port
Why it's wrong here
A web server would typically use HTTP on port 80 or HTTPS on 443, and the payload would be HTTP requests/responses, not Windows command-line strings. Port 4444 with 'cmd.exe' payload is not consistent with web traffic and points to a reverse shell.
- ✗
A legitimate remote administration session using SSH
Why it's wrong here
SSH typically uses port 22 and encrypts the session, so the payload would not be visible as plaintext 'cmd.exe /c whoami'. Port 4444 is not standard for SSH, and the presence of cleartext Windows commands indicates a non-SSH, likely malicious, shell.
- ✓
A reverse shell established by malware
Why this is correct
Port 4444 is commonly used by Metasploit and other penetration testing or malware tools for reverse shells. The command 'cmd.exe /c whoami' is a typical reconnaissance command executed through a shell. The combination of a non-standard high port and command execution strongly suggests a reverse shell, where the compromised host connects back to the attacker's listener.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.