CHFI OS and Network Forensics Practice Question
A security analyst reviews Windows Security Event Log and observes Event ID 4625 repeatedly for a single user account from a remote IP address within a short timeframe. What is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse Event ID 4625 with a successful logon (4624) or think it indicates account creation, but the CHFI exam tests the precise mapping of Event IDs to security events to catch those who rely on vague memory rather than exact knowledge.
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
✓
A brute-force password attack is occurring against that account
Event ID 4625 indicates a failed logon attempt. When this event is logged repeatedly for the same user account from a single remote IP address within a short timeframe, it is a classic indicator of an automated brute-force password attack, where an attacker tries many passwords against that account in rapid succession.
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 user successfully logged on from a remote workstation
Why it's wrong here
Event ID 4625 records a failed logon attempt, so a successful remote logon would generate 4624 instead. Event 4624 is the correct indicator when confirming legitimate access, but repeated 4625 entries from one remote IP point to brute-force or credential-guessing activity.
- ✓
A brute-force password attack is occurring against that account
Why this is correct
Event ID 4625 records failed logon attempts, and repeated occurrences against one account from a single remote IP within a short window indicate an attacker systematically guessing credentials. This satisfies the stem's brute-force pattern, distinguishing it from isolated mistyped passwords or lockout events (4740), which Microsoft Entra ID or local policy would log separately.
- ✗
The user's account was created
Why it's wrong here
Account creation produces Event ID 4720, not 4625. Monitoring 4720 is correct when auditing new or rogue accounts, but 4625 denotes a failed logon, so repeated occurrences from one remote IP indicate brute-force attempts rather than account provisioning.
- ✗
A service was installed on the system
Why it's wrong here
Service installation generates Event ID 7045 in the System log, not repeated 4625 failures in Security. Tracking 7045 is correct when hunting persistence via new services, whereas 4625 specifically records failed logon attempts, indicating password guessing against the account.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CHFI 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 CHFI exam.