hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CAS-004 Practice Question: A security analyst reviews the above Windows…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ``` Event: 4625 (An account failed to log on) Account Name: Administrator Source Network Address: 10.10.10.50 Logon Type: 3 (Network) Status: 0xC000006D (bad username or password) Event: 4624 (An account was successfully logged on) Account Name: jsmith Source Network Address: 10.10.10.50 Logon Type: 2 (Interactive) Event: 4672 (Special privileges assigned to new logon) Account Name: jsmith Privileges: SeTcbPrivilege, SeDebugPrivilege Event: 5140 (A network share object was accessed) Account Name: jsmith$ Accesses: WriteData (or AddFile) Share Name: \\*\C$ ```
A security analyst reviews the above Windows security events from a domain controller. What is the most likely conclusion about the activity?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CAS-004 exam often tests the distinction between logon types (e.g., Type 2 for interactive, Type 3 for network) and the specific event IDs associated with account management versus object access, leading candidates to confuse a network logon with a password reset or lockout event.
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 has compromised the jsmith account and used it to perform lateral movement and access sensitive data.
The security analyst is reviewing Windows security events on a domain controller. The most likely conclusion is that the jsmith account was compromised and used for lateral movement and access to sensitive data, while the other options describe routine administration, Administrator lockout, or a password reset attempt, which are less consistent with a suspicious account compromise scenario.
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 jsmith account is performing routine administrative tasks with standard user privileges.
Why it's wrong here
The event 4672 shows special privileges (SeTcbPrivilege, SeDebugPrivilege) that are not standard for a typical user.
- ✓
An attacker has compromised the jsmith account and used it to perform lateral movement and access sensitive data.
Why this is correct
The sequence matches typical PtH: failed logon as admin, then successful interactive logon with high privileges, then accessing admin share.
- ✗
The Administrator account is locked out due to repeated failed logon attempts.
Why it's wrong here
Lockout would generate a different event (4740), and there is a successful logon right after, so not lockout.
- ✗
A user named jsmith is attempting to reset the Administrator password via network logon.
Why it's wrong here
The logon type for jsmith is interactive (2), not network (3), and the privileges indicate escalation, not password reset.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.