The answer is a brute-force attack on SSH. This is correct because the log exhibit reveals multiple 'Failed password' entries from the same IP address targeting a sequence of different usernames—such as root, admin, and user—which is the hallmark of an automated credential-guessing attempt rather than a single successful login or a different attack vector. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between brute-force attacks and other threats like dictionary attacks or privilege escalation; the key differentiator here is the sheer volume of attempts across varied accounts from one source. A common trap is confusing this with a password spraying attack, but spraying uses one password across many usernames, whereas a brute force tries many passwords per user. Memory tip: think "many keys, one lock" for brute force—multiple passwords hammering the same SSH service.
CHFI Network and Cloud Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of network and cloud forensics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Nov 12 09:23:45 server1 sshd[1234]: Failed password for root from 10.0.0.5 port 22 ssh2
Nov 12 09:24:10 server1 sshd[1235]: Failed password for root from 10.0.0.5 port 22 ssh2
Nov 12 09:24:35 server1 sshd[1236]: Failed password for root from 10.0.0.5 port 22 ssh2
... (repeated every 25 seconds)
Based on the log exhibit, what type of attack is occurring?
Refer to the exhibit.
Nov 12 09:23:45 server1 sshd[1234]: Failed password for root from 10.0.0.5 port 22 ssh2
Nov 12 09:24:10 server1 sshd[1235]: Failed password for root from 10.0.0.5 port 22 ssh2
Nov 12 09:24:35 server1 sshd[1236]: Failed password for root from 10.0.0.5 port 22 ssh2
... (repeated every 25 seconds)
A
Man-in-the-middle attack
Why wrong: No signs of ARP spoofing or SSL issues.
B
SQL injection attack
Why wrong: Logs are from SSH, not web application.
C
Denial of Service attack
Why wrong: No evidence of service disruption.
D
Brute-force attack on SSH
Repeated failed attempts for root user from same IP.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Brute-force attack on SSH
The log shows multiple failed SSH login attempts from the same IP address with different usernames and passwords, which is characteristic of a brute-force attack targeting SSH. The repeated 'Failed password' entries for various user accounts (e.g., root, admin, user) indicate an automated attempt to guess credentials, not a single successful compromise or a different attack type.
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.
Repeated failed attempts for root user from same IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between a brute-force attack and a DoS attack by including logs with repeated authentication failures, leading candidates to mistakenly choose DoS due to the high volume of events, but the key indicator is the specific 'Failed password' message targeting SSH, not a flood of traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH brute-force attacks typically use tools like Hydra or Medusa to cycle through common username/password combinations, often targeting default accounts like 'root' or 'admin'. The log's timestamps show rapid successive attempts (e.g., within seconds), which is a hallmark of automated scripts, and the absence of successful logins confirms the attack is still in progress. In real-world scenarios, such attacks can be mitigated by implementing rate-limiting (e.g., fail2ban) or key-based authentication instead of passwords.
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 practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Network and Cloud Forensics — This question tests Network and Cloud Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Brute-force attack on SSH — The log shows multiple failed SSH login attempts from the same IP address with different usernames and passwords, which is characteristic of a brute-force attack targeting SSH. The repeated 'Failed password' entries for various user accounts (e.g., root, admin, user) indicate an automated attempt to guess credentials, not a single successful compromise or a different attack type.
What should I do if I get this CHFI 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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Question Discussion
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