A security analyst receives an alert about a user account attempting to access multiple network shares in rapid succession within a short time frame. The analyst reviews the logs and sees that the IP address originates from the internal network, but the user is currently on leave. Which type of attack is most likely occurring?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
Pass-the-hash attack
Pass-the-hash attacks reuse captured password hashes to authenticate to other systems, but the described behavior of rapidly accessing multiple network shares suggests active probing after access is already obtained, not the reuse of hashes.
Distractor review
Brute-force attack
Brute-force attacks involve repeated attempts to guess a password. In this scenario, the account is already authenticated, and the activity is post-authentication, not password guessing.
Distractor review
Credential stuffing attack
Credential stuffing uses lists of stolen usernames and passwords from other breaches to gain access. While it could result in account compromise, the rapid share enumeration after access indicates a different phase of attack.
Best answer
Internal reconnaissance
Internal reconnaissance involves an attacker who has already compromised a system and is now scanning internal resources to identify valuable data or further targets. The rapid access to multiple network shares aligns with this activity.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Internal reconnaissance — The scenario describes an attacker who has already gained access to an internal system and is now probing network shares to locate sensitive data. This behavior is characteristic of internal reconnaissance, where the attacker scans for valuable information after establishing a foothold. Pass-the-hash attacks reuse password hashes to authenticate but do not inherently involve rapid access to multiple shares. Brute-force attacks involve repeated guessing of passwords, which is not indicated here because the account is already authenticated. Credential stuffing uses previously breached credentials to gain access, but the account is already compromised, and the rapid share enumeration points to post-authentication exploration.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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