Quick Answer
The correct answer is an ARP poisoning attack because the ARP table exhibit reveals a single IP address, 192.168.1.1, mapped to two distinct MAC addresses: 00:11:22:33:44:55 and AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF. This duplication is a classic technical indicator of ARP spoofing, where an attacker sends forged ARP replies to associate their own MAC with the gateway’s IP, enabling man-in-the-middle interception of traffic. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this scenario tests your ability to detect ARP poisoning from ARP table anomalies, often presented as an exhibit where a critical IP like the default gateway shows multiple MAC entries. A common trap is mistaking this for a simple network misconfiguration, but the key is that legitimate devices never share the same IP with different MACs on the same subnet. Remember the memory tip: “One IP, two MACs? That’s an ARP attack in the facts.”
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of network and cloud forensics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Based on the ARP table exhibit, what is the most likely security issue?
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.
The gateway is unreachable
Why wrong: The gateway IP (192.168.1.1) has an entry, so it is reachable.
Duplicate IP addresses on the network
Why wrong: Duplicate IPs would cause conflicts, but here the MAC is duplicated, not IP.
ARP poisoning attack
Multiple IPs with same MAC is a classic sign of ARP spoofing.
MAC address filtering is enabled
Why wrong: Filtering would not cause this pattern.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ARP poisoning attack
The ARP table exhibit shows a single IP address (192.168.1.1) mapped to two different MAC addresses (00:11:22:33:44:55 and AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF). This is a classic indicator of an ARP poisoning attack, where an attacker sends forged ARP replies to associate their MAC address with the gateway's IP, enabling man-in-the-middle interception of traffic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The gateway is unreachable
Why it's wrong here
The gateway IP (192.168.1.1) has an entry, so it is reachable.
Duplicate IP addresses on the network
Why it's wrong here
Duplicate IPs would cause conflicts, but here the MAC is duplicated, not IP.
ARP poisoning attack
MAC address filtering is enabled
Why it's wrong here
Filtering would not cause this pattern.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse ARP poisoning with duplicate IP addresses, but duplicate IPs cause a 'conflict' message and only one MAC survives in the ARP table, whereas ARP poisoning shows two distinct MACs for the same IP simultaneously.
Detailed technical explanation
ARP poisoning exploits the stateless nature of ARP: hosts accept unsolicited ARP replies without verification, allowing an attacker to overwrite the victim's ARP cache. Tools like arpspoof or Ettercap send continuous forged replies, and the victim's ARP table will show the gateway IP with the attacker's MAC. This attack is often a precursor to session hijacking or credential theft, and can be detected by comparing MAC addresses in the ARP table against known vendor OUI prefixes or using static ARP entries.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Network and Cloud Forensics — This question tests Network and Cloud Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ARP poisoning attack — The ARP table exhibit shows a single IP address (192.168.1.1) mapped to two different MAC addresses (00:11:22:33:44:55 and AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF). This is a classic indicator of an ARP poisoning attack, where an attacker sends forged ARP replies to associate their MAC address with the gateway's IP, enabling man-in-the-middle interception of traffic.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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