mediumMultiple Choice
CS0-003 An analyst runs the above command on a server Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Exhibit: ``` netstat -an | grep 4444 tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:4444 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN tcp 0 0 192.168.1.50:4444 10.0.0.100:56789 ESTABLISHED ```
An analyst runs the above command on a server. Based on the exhibit, which of the following is the MOST likely scenario?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the association of non-standard ports with common malware or trojans, and the trap here is that candidates may assume any open port is legitimate or overlook the significance of port 4444's known malicious use.
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
✓
The server may be compromised with a remote access trojan listening on port 4444
The command output shows a listening service on port 4444, which is not a standard port for any common service. Port 4444 is commonly associated with remote access trojans (RATs) such as Metasploit's Meterpreter or other malware, making a compromise the most likely scenario. The analyst should investigate further to confirm malicious activity.
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 server may be compromised with a remote access trojan listening on port 4444
Why this is correct
Port 4444 is the default listening port for the Metasploit Framework's popular payload, Meterpreter, and is frequently associated with Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and reverse shells. Finding an active listener on this port without a documented business justification strongly suggests a malicious compromise where an attacker has established a persistent backdoor.
- ✗
The server is running a legitimate SSH service on port 4444
Why it's wrong here
While administrators sometimes change the default SSH port to mitigate automated brute-force attacks, SSH natively defaults to port 22. Port 4444 is highly non-standard for SSH, and a security analyst should not assume a service on this port is legitimate SSH without verifying the service banner or cryptographic handshake.
- ✗
The server is hosting a web service on a non-standard port
Why it's wrong here
Web services commonly use ports 80, 443, or alternative development ports like 8080 and 8443. Port 4444 is not standard for HTTP/HTTPS traffic, and assuming it is a web server without protocol-specific evidence (such as GET/POST requests in traffic logs) overlooks the high probability of malicious activity associated with this port.
- ✗
The server is being used as a proxy for internal clients
Why it's wrong here
Proxy services, such as Squid or SOCKS proxies, typically listen on standard ports like 3128, 8080, or 1080 to route outbound traffic for internal clients. There is no architectural or protocol-level evidence in the command output to suggest the system is acting as an intermediary proxy, making this explanation highly unlikely compared to a malware infection.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Malware Sandboxing and Detonation
Key term
Malware
Malware is any software intentionally designed to cause damage, disrupt operations, steal data, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.
Key term
Meterpreter
Meterpreter is an advanced, dynamically extensible payload that provides an interactive command shell and post-exploitation capabilities within a memory-resident environment during a penetration test.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CS0-004 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 CS0-004 exam.