- A
DNS poisoning, because name resolution is directing users to the wrong server.
Why wrong: DNS poisoning would usually show incorrect DNS responses or altered resolver data. This scenario instead points to layer 2 address mapping manipulation, not DNS record tampering.
- B
ARP poisoning, because forged ARP replies are associating the gateway IP with the attacker's MAC address.
ARP poisoning is the best fit because the attacker is sending unsolicited ARP replies to rewrite the local IP-to-MAC mapping. The changing gateway MAC address and repeated ARP activity are classic signs of a man-in-the-middle setup on a switched LAN. Once traffic is redirected through the attacker, fake login pages and credential interception become possible.
- C
Replay attack, because previously captured traffic is being resent to the network.
Why wrong: Replay attacks reuse valid captured data such as authentication messages or transactions. They do not normally cause gateway MAC changes or unsolicited ARP replies.
- D
Denial of service, because the branch users cannot reliably reach websites.
Why wrong: DoS focuses on making a service unavailable through exhaustion or disruption. This case shows traffic redirection and spoofing behavior rather than simple unavailability.
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. 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.
Users on a branch VLAN intermittently reach a fake login page even though DNS records have not changed. A packet capture shows the default gateway MAC address changing every 60 seconds, and the switch logs list repeated unsolicited ARP replies from one workstation. Which attack is most likely?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
ARP poisoning, because forged ARP replies are associating the gateway IP with the attacker's MAC address.
The repeated unsolicited ARP replies from one workstation, combined with the default gateway MAC address changing every 60 seconds, directly indicate an ARP poisoning attack. The attacker is sending forged ARP replies to associate the gateway IP with its own MAC address, causing traffic destined for the gateway to be intercepted. This allows the attacker to redirect users to a fake login page without altering DNS records.
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.
- ✗
DNS poisoning, because name resolution is directing users to the wrong server.
Why it's wrong here
DNS poisoning would usually show incorrect DNS responses or altered resolver data. This scenario instead points to layer 2 address mapping manipulation, not DNS record tampering.
- ✓
ARP poisoning, because forged ARP replies are associating the gateway IP with the attacker's MAC address.
Why this is correct
ARP poisoning is the best fit because the attacker is sending unsolicited ARP replies to rewrite the local IP-to-MAC mapping. The changing gateway MAC address and repeated ARP activity are classic signs of a man-in-the-middle setup on a switched LAN. Once traffic is redirected through the attacker, fake login pages and credential interception become possible.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Replay attack, because previously captured traffic is being resent to the network.
- ✗
Denial of service, because the branch users cannot reliably reach websites.
Why it's wrong here
DoS focuses on making a service unavailable through exhaustion or disruption. This case shows traffic redirection and spoofing behavior rather than simple unavailability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates see 'fake login page' and 'DNS records have not changed' and jump to DNS poisoning, but the key indicator is the MAC address changing every 60 seconds, which is a classic sign of ARP poisoning, not DNS manipulation.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
DNS poisoning would usually show incorrect DNS responses or altered resolver data. This scenario instead points to layer 2 address mapping manipulation, not DNS record tampering.
Scenario analysis trap
DNS poisoning would usually show incorrect DNS responses or altered resolver data. This scenario instead points to layer 2 address mapping manipulation, not DNS record tampering.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ARP poisoning exploits the stateless nature of ARP; hosts accept unsolicited ARP replies (gratuitous ARPs) without verification, updating their ARP cache immediately. In a real-world scenario, an attacker on the same VLAN can use tools like arpspoof or Ettercap to continuously send forged ARP replies, creating a man-in-the-middle position that intercepts all traffic to the default gateway. This attack bypasses DNS entirely because it operates at Layer 2, redirecting traffic based on MAC address rather than IP or hostname resolution.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — This question tests Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ARP poisoning, because forged ARP replies are associating the gateway IP with the attacker's MAC address. — The repeated unsolicited ARP replies from one workstation, combined with the default gateway MAC address changing every 60 seconds, directly indicate an ARP poisoning attack. The attacker is sending forged ARP replies to associate the gateway IP with its own MAC address, causing traffic destined for the gateway to be intercepted. This allows the attacker to redirect users to a fake login page without altering DNS records.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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