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Question 170 of 1,010
Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is that the primary security concern is the AWS root account being used for routine actions, as this directly violates the principle of least privilege and dramatically increases the attack surface. When a CloudTrail log shows a root user launching an EC2 instance, it indicates a failure to follow AWS best practices, which reserve the root account exclusively for account-level tasks like closing the account or changing support plans. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cloud security misconfigurations and identity management, often appearing as a trap where test-takers focus on the action itself rather than the identity performing it. Remember that any routine operation performed by the root account is a red flag, as it bypasses IAM controls and exposes the most powerful credentials to unnecessary risk. A simple memory tip: “Root for roots only”—the root account should only touch the root-level settings, never daily operations.

CEH Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security Practice Question

This CEH practice question tests your understanding of wireless, iot and cloud security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

```
CloudTrail Log:
{
  "eventVersion": "1.08",
  "userIdentity": {
    "type": "Root",
    "arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:root",
    "accountId": "123456789012"
  },
  "eventTime": "2025-03-15T14:30:00Z",
  "eventSource": "ec2.amazonaws.com",
  "sourceIPAddress": "203.0.113.5",
  "userAgent": "console.amazonaws.com",
  "requestParameters": {
    "instanceType": "t2.micro",
    "imageId": "ami-0abcdef1234567890",
    "keyName": "test-key"
  },
  "responseElements": {
    "instancesSet": {
      "items": [
        {
          "instanceId": "i-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890"
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "eventType": "AwsApiCall"
}
```

Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst reviews a CloudTrail log entry. What is the primary security concern indicated by this log?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "primary"

    Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.

Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

```
CloudTrail Log:
{
  "eventVersion": "1.08",
  "userIdentity": {
    "type": "Root",
    "arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:root",
    "accountId": "123456789012"
  },
  "eventTime": "2025-03-15T14:30:00Z",
  "eventSource": "ec2.amazonaws.com",
  "sourceIPAddress": "203.0.113.5",
  "userAgent": "console.amazonaws.com",
  "requestParameters": {
    "instanceType": "t2.micro",
    "imageId": "ami-0abcdef1234567890",
    "keyName": "test-key"
  },
  "responseElements": {
    "instancesSet": {
      "items": [
        {
          "instanceId": "i-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890"
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "eventType": "AwsApiCall"
}
```

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 action was performed by the AWS root account, which should be avoided for routine tasks.

The log entry shows that the action was performed by the AWS root account (userIdentity.type: Root). AWS best practices mandate that the root account be used only for tasks that require it, such as changing account settings or closing the account. Routine operations like launching an EC2 instance should be performed using IAM roles or users with least-privilege permissions. Using the root account for everyday actions increases the risk of credential compromise and violates the principle of least privilege.

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.

  • ✓

    The action was performed by the AWS root account, which should be avoided for routine tasks.

    Why this is correct

    Root should only be used for specific tasks.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    The AMI ID (ami-0abcdef1234567890) is from a trusted source.

    Why it's wrong here

    Not a concern.

  • ✗

    The source IP address (203.0.113.5) is suspicious.

    Why it's wrong here

    IP address is not inherently suspicious.

  • ✗

    The instance type is t2.micro, which may be vulnerable.

    Why it's wrong here

    Instance type is not a security concern.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

EC-Council often tests the concept that the root account should never be used for routine tasks, and candidates may mistakenly focus on the AMI ID, source IP, or instance type as potential threats, overlooking the critical security violation of root account usage.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

AWS CloudTrail logs capture API calls made to the AWS environment, including the user identity, source IP, and action details. The root account has unrestricted access to all resources, and if its credentials are leaked, an attacker can perform any action, including deleting all resources or creating backdoor accounts. AWS recommends enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the root account and using IAM roles for daily operations, as the root account lacks fine-grained access control and audit trails for individual users.

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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CEH question test?

Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security — This question tests Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The action was performed by the AWS root account, which should be avoided for routine tasks. — The log entry shows that the action was performed by the AWS root account (userIdentity.type: Root). AWS best practices mandate that the root account be used only for tasks that require it, such as changing account settings or closing the account. Routine operations like launching an EC2 instance should be performed using IAM roles or users with least-privilege permissions. Using the root account for everyday actions increases the risk of credential compromise and violates the principle of least privilege.

What should I do if I get this CEH 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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026

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This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.