- A
Sequence numbers that are out of order
Improper sequence numbers can indicate injection or hijacking.
- B
FIN packets with no prior data transfer
Why wrong: FIN packets can be normal; not necessarily an anomaly.
- C
SYN-ACK packets without preceding SYN
Indicates a possible forged response or unsolicited SYN-ACK.
- D
RST packets with the ACK flag set
Why wrong: RST+ACK is normal in some cases; not typically a sign of manipulation.
- E
A high volume of SYN packets to multiple ports
This is indicative of a SYN flood attack.
Question 972 of 1,000
CS0-003 Security Operations Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of security operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security analyst is analyzing a PCAP file from a network incident and notices a series of TCP connections with unusual flag combinations. Specifically, the SYN flag is set but the ACK flag is not set in the response, and the sequence numbers are not incrementing properly. The analyst suspects a TCP handshake manipulation. Which THREE TCP anomalies should the analyst document?
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
✓
Sequence numbers that are out of order
SYN-ACK without ACK, inconsistent sequence numbers, and SYN flood patterns are all anomalies that could indicate attacks like SYN flood or TCP hijacking.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Sequence numbers that are out of order
Why this is correct
Improper sequence numbers can indicate injection or hijacking.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
FIN packets with no prior data transfer
Why it's wrong here
FIN packets can be normal; not necessarily an anomaly.
- ✓
SYN-ACK packets without preceding SYN
Why this is correct
Indicates a possible forged response or unsolicited SYN-ACK.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
RST packets with the ACK flag set
Why it's wrong here
RST+ACK is normal in some cases; not typically a sign of manipulation.
- ✓
A high volume of SYN packets to multiple ports
Why this is correct
This is indicative of a SYN flood attack.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CS0-003 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CS0-003 question test?
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Sequence numbers that are out of order — SYN-ACK without ACK, inconsistent sequence numbers, and SYN flood patterns are all anomalies that could indicate attacks like SYN flood or TCP hijacking.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Identify which CS0-003 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CS0-003 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 CS0-003 exam.
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