Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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?
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
DNS poisoning, because name resolution is directing users to the wrong server.
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
Best answer
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
Distractor review
Replay attack, because previously captured traffic is being resent to the network.
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
Distractor review
Denial of service, because the branch users cannot reliably reach websites.
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 trap
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
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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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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. — ARP poisoning is the most likely attack because the clues all point to layer 2 table manipulation on the local network. The gateway MAC changing repeatedly and the presence of unsolicited ARP replies indicate that a host is falsely claiming ownership of the gateway IP. That allows the attacker to position themselves between clients and the router, making credential theft or traffic interception possible. Why others are wrong: DNS poisoning would alter name resolution, but the evidence here is in ARP tables and switch logs. Replay attacks involve resending captured authentication data, not rewriting gateway mappings. DoS would focus on disruption or exhaustion, whereas this scenario shows deliberate traffic redirection consistent with man-in-the-middle setup.
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.
Discussion
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