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← SY0-701
Full test
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped

Exhibit

DNS telemetry for host LAP-09:
10:14:02  query=TXT  name=k7f3a9d1a.reporting-updates.net  client=10.1.8.44
10:15:02  query=TXT  name=m2b8c4.reporting-updates.net       client=10.1.8.44
10:16:02  query=TXT  name=q9z1x7.reporting-updates.net       client=10.1.8.44
10:17:02  query=TXT  name=t4n8p2.reporting-updates.net       client=10.1.8.44
Packet summary: 58-byte UDP responses, repeated every 60 seconds
Proxy logs: no HTTP or HTTPS sessions to reporting-updates.net
EDR: python.exe launched by signed pdf reader, process exited in 3 seconds
EDR network telemetry: same pattern continued after the document closed

Based on the exhibit, what is the best-supported conclusion for the SOC analyst?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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Based on the exhibit, what is the best-supported conclusion for the SOC analyst?

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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.

A

Distractor review

The traffic is normal web browsing to a content delivery network.

Normal browsing would usually include HTTP or HTTPS connections, not repeated TXT queries with no web sessions visible.

B

Best answer

The host is likely using DNS tunneling or DNS-based command and control.

The repeated TXT queries, predictable timing, small UDP payloads, and absence of proxy traffic strongly suggest data or commands are being carried over DNS. The unique subdomains and steady beacon interval are classic indicators of DNS tunneling or DNS-based command-and-control. The signed PDF reader only shows how the activity may have started, not that it is benign.

C

Distractor review

The issue is most likely ARP spoofing on the local switch port.

ARP spoofing would affect Layer 2 traffic and gateway resolution, not create repeated TXT DNS requests with no corresponding HTTP sessions.

D

Distractor review

The evidence most strongly indicates a password spraying campaign.

Password spraying produces authentication failures across services. This exhibit shows DNS beacons, not login attempts or account lockouts.

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: The host is likely using DNS tunneling or DNS-based command and control. — The strongest conclusion is DNS tunneling or DNS-based command and control. The client repeatedly queries TXT records at a fixed interval, each query uses a unique-looking subdomain, and the payloads are very small and consistent. The lack of proxy traffic makes ordinary web use unlikely. In practice, that pattern is suspicious because DNS is often allowed through controls that would otherwise block outbound communication. Why others are wrong: The other choices do not match the evidence. There is no HTTP browsing, no Layer 2 manipulation, and no authentication activity. The observable behavior is periodic DNS-only communication, which is far more consistent with covert data exchange than with routing or password attacks. SOC analysts should correlate DNS, proxy, and EDR telemetry together before deciding.

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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