The correct answer is to restrict access to the Engineering web server to only the Engineering VLAN. This is the most effective immediate step because the web server on port 80 is currently exposed to all VLANs, violating the core principle of network segmentation best practices. By limiting access to only the Engineering VLAN, you directly reduce the attack surface and prevent lateral movement from potentially compromised Sales or HR segments, which is exactly what a default-deny firewall with inter-VLAN routing should enforce. On the CEH exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize risk reduction through least privilege and proper segmentation, often hiding traps where candidates focus on the failed SSH attempts from an external IP rather than the internal exposure. A common memory tip for this concept is "segment laterally, not just externally"—the biggest threat after perimeter breach is unrestricted east-west traffic between VLANs.
CEH Introduction to Ethical Hacking Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of introduction to ethical hacking. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
You are an ethical hacker hired to assess the security of a mid-sized company's internal network. The company has three departments: Sales, Engineering, and HR, each on separate VLANs. The network uses a single firewall with default-deny rules, but inter-VLAN routing is allowed for specific ports (e.g., HR needs to access Sales database on TCP 1433). During reconnaissance, you discover that the Engineering VLAN has a web server running on port 80 that is accessible from all VLANs. You also find that the Sales VLAN has a file share (SMB) on port 445 that is accessible only from HR. The firewall logs show numerous failed SSH attempts from an external IP to the Engineering web server. Which action should you recommend as the most effective immediate step to reduce the attack surface?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Restrict access to the Engineering web server to only the Engineering VLAN.
Option D is correct because the Engineering web server is unnecessarily exposed to all VLANs, including potentially compromised segments. By restricting access to only the Engineering VLAN, you eliminate the attack surface from the Sales and HR VLANs, which is the most immediate and effective reduction in exposure. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and network segmentation, directly mitigating the risk of lateral movement from other VLANs.
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.
✗
Implement a password policy requiring complex passwords for all users.
Why it's wrong here
Password policy does not address the immediate exposure of the web server to all VLANs.
✗
Enable two-factor authentication on the web server.
Why it's wrong here
Two-factor does not remove the unnecessary access path.
✗
Apply the latest security patches to the web server.
Why it's wrong here
Patching is good but does not reduce the immediate exposure from broad access.
✓
Restrict access to the Engineering web server to only the Engineering VLAN.
Why this is correct
This immediately reduces the attack surface by limiting unnecessary access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the external SSH attacks (which are irrelevant to internal VLAN exposure) and choose patching or authentication improvements, missing that the core issue is unnecessary network-level access from other internal segments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a segmented network with a default-deny firewall, inter-VLAN routing rules should be as restrictive as possible. The Engineering web server on TCP 80 should only be accessible from the Engineering VLAN unless a specific business need exists. This is a classic example of over-permissive firewall rules that violate the principle of least privilege. In real-world engagements, such exposure often leads to lateral movement attacks, where an attacker compromises a less secure VLAN (e.g., Sales) and then pivots to the web server to escalate privileges or exfiltrate data.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Introduction to Ethical Hacking — This question tests Introduction to Ethical Hacking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restrict access to the Engineering web server to only the Engineering VLAN. — Option D is correct because the Engineering web server is unnecessarily exposed to all VLANs, including potentially compromised segments. By restricting access to only the Engineering VLAN, you eliminate the attack surface from the Sales and HR VLANs, which is the most immediate and effective reduction in exposure. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and network segmentation, directly mitigating the risk of lateral movement from other VLANs.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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