The answer is tailgating. This is the correct choice because the firewall log shows user jdoe accessing a file server via SMB on port 445 from an internal IP address of 10.0.0.45, which is not part of the usual file server subnet, indicating that an attacker has physically followed an authorized employee into a restricted area and connected a rogue device to the internal network to perform lateral movement. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your ability to correlate physical social engineering techniques with network-based evidence; a common trap is to mistake this for a phishing or pretexting attack, but the key clue is the unauthorized internal IP address that could only be obtained through physical access. Remember the memory tip: “Tailgating is trailing—if the IP is inside but shouldn’t be, someone followed a badge in.”
CEH Social Engineering and Physical Security Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of social engineering and physical 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.
```
Firewall Log:
Date: 2023-10-12
Time: 14:23:45
Source IP: 10.0.0.45
Destination IP: 192.168.1.100
Protocol: TCP
Port: 445
Action: ALLOW
User: jdoe
Reason: Rule ID 3 (SMB access to file server)
```
Exhibit:
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst reviews the firewall log and notices that user jdoe accessed a file server via SMB (port 445) from an internal IP (10.0.0.45) that is not the usual file server subnet. Which type of social engineering attack is most likely being attempted?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Tailgating
The firewall log shows user jdoe accessing a file server via SMB (port 445) from an internal IP (10.0.0.45) that is not on the usual file server subnet. This indicates the attacker has physically entered the building or restricted area by following an authorized person (tailgating) and then connected a rogue device to the internal network to perform lateral movement. Tailgating is the social engineering attack that relies on gaining physical access by exploiting trust or courtesy, which aligns with the unauthorized internal IP and SMB activity.
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.
✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing usually occurs via email or messaging, not direct SMB connections.
✗
Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing is voice phishing, not related to network traffic.
✓
Tailgating
Why this is correct
Tailgating allows an attacker to physically enter a secured area and connect to the internal network from an unauthorized IP.
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.
✗
Baiting
Why it's wrong here
Baiting involves physical media like USB drives, not network logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates see SMB and internal IP and immediately think of a technical attack like phishing or baiting, but the key clue is the physical access implied by the unusual subnet, which points to tailgating as the social engineering vector.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SMB (Server Message Block) over port 445 is used for file sharing, printer access, and remote administration in Windows networks; an attacker who tailgates into a facility can plug a laptop into an open Ethernet port or connect to the internal Wi-Fi, then use tools like PsExec or SMBexec to move laterally. In real-world scenarios, tailgating is often combined with badge cloning or social engineering at reception desks, and the unusual source IP (10.0.0.45) outside the file server subnet is a classic indicator of an unauthorized device on the network. The CEH exam emphasizes that tailgating bypasses physical security controls, leading to direct network access and potential SMB-based attacks like pass-the-hash or SMB relay.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Social Engineering and Physical Security — This question tests Social Engineering and Physical Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Tailgating — The firewall log shows user jdoe accessing a file server via SMB (port 445) from an internal IP (10.0.0.45) that is not on the usual file server subnet. This indicates the attacker has physically entered the building or restricted area by following an authorized person (tailgating) and then connected a rogue device to the internal network to perform lateral movement. Tailgating is the social engineering attack that relies on gaining physical access by exploiting trust or courtesy, which aligns with the unauthorized internal IP and SMB activity.
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: "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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