- A
Correlate the database server logs with the web server logs to identify which records were queried and verify if they were exfiltrated via the outbound HTTP connection.
This directly determines the scope of data loss and confirms exfiltration.
- B
Immediately isolate the web server from the network to prevent further data exfiltration, then perform memory forensics to find any malware.
Why wrong: Isolation may destroy volatile evidence; memory dump should be done first if live response is feasible.
- C
Check the NTP logs to see if the timestamps are accurate, as the attack may be a time-based SQL injection.
Why wrong: Time-based SQLi is a technique, but NTP logs are not relevant here; the attack succeeded quickly.
- D
Extract and analyze the full packet capture from the firewall to identify the SQL injection payload and any encrypted traffic.
Why wrong: The payload is already known; focusing on encrypted traffic may not reveal the exfiltrated data if it was sent in plaintext on port 80.
Quick Answer
The correct course of action is to correlate the database server logs with the web server logs to identify which records were queried and verify if they were exfiltrated via the outbound HTTP connection. This approach is essential because log correlation for SQL injection data exfiltration requires linking the inbound malicious payload—detected by the NIDS and web logs—to the outbound data transfer, establishing the full attack chain from injection to extraction. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this scenario tests your ability to reconstruct an attack timeline by connecting disparate log sources, a core skill in network forensics. A common trap is focusing solely on the firewall or NIDS alerts without tracing the actual data flow; remember that the database logs reveal the stolen records, while the web server’s outbound connection shows the exfiltration path. Memory tip: “Follow the data, not just the alert”—always trace the query to the exit.
CHFI Network and Cloud Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of network and cloud forensics. 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 investigating a network breach at a financial institution. The perimeter firewall logs show an inbound connection from IP 203.0.113.5 to the internal web server (192.168.1.10) on TCP port 443 at 02:34:12 UTC. At 02:34:15, an outbound connection from the web server to an external IP 198.51.100.20 on TCP port 80 is logged. Simultaneously, a network intrusion detection system (NIDS) detected a SQL injection payload in the inbound HTTP request. The web server's access logs show a successful login to the admin panel at 02:34:18 from the same external IP 203.0.113.5. The database server (192.168.1.20) logs show a query execution at 02:34:20 that exported customer records. The company uses a jump box for administrative access, and all admin sessions are logged. The jump box logs show no activity during the incident. The web server hosts a public-facing application and is in a DMZ. The database server is in the internal network, with a firewall rule allowing only the web server to connect to it on TCP port 3306. Which course of action is MOST appropriate to determine the root cause and scope?
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
Correlate the database server logs with the web server logs to identify which records were queried and verify if they were exfiltrated via the outbound HTTP connection.
Option A is correct because correlating the database server logs with the web server logs allows you to identify exactly which customer records were queried and then cross-reference that with the outbound HTTP connection (from the web server to 198.51.100.20 on TCP port 80) to determine if the data was exfiltrated. This approach directly addresses both the root cause (SQL injection via the inbound request) and the scope (which records were stolen and how they left the network).
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.
- ✓
Correlate the database server logs with the web server logs to identify which records were queried and verify if they were exfiltrated via the outbound HTTP connection.
Why this is correct
This directly determines the scope of data loss and confirms exfiltration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Immediately isolate the web server from the network to prevent further data exfiltration, then perform memory forensics to find any malware.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation may destroy volatile evidence; memory dump should be done first if live response is feasible.
- ✗
Check the NTP logs to see if the timestamps are accurate, as the attack may be a time-based SQL injection.
Why it's wrong here
Time-based SQLi is a technique, but NTP logs are not relevant here; the attack succeeded quickly.
- ✗
Extract and analyze the full packet capture from the firewall to identify the SQL injection payload and any encrypted traffic.
Why it's wrong here
The payload is already known; focusing on encrypted traffic may not reveal the exfiltrated data if it was sent in plaintext on port 80.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that immediate containment (Option B) is always the first step, but in forensic investigations, preserving evidence and correlating logs to determine scope takes precedence over reactive isolation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a DMZ architecture, the web server (192.168.1.10) is the only system allowed to initiate connections to the internal database server (192.168.1.20) on TCP port 3306 (MySQL). The SQL injection payload in the inbound HTTP request (likely a POST or GET parameter) allowed the attacker to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary SQL queries, such as SELECT * FROM customers, which would be logged by the database. The outbound HTTP connection on port 80 (unencrypted) from the web server to 198.51.100.20 is a classic exfiltration channel—data is sent in the HTTP body or as a query string, which can be reconstructed from web server logs or packet captures if available.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Network and Cloud Forensics — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network and Cloud Forensics practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CHFI questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CHFI practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CHFI practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Computer Forensics Investigation Process practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Investigation Process.
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process.
Storage Forensics and File System Analysis practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Storage Forensics and File System Analysis.
Incident Response and First Responder Skills practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Incident Response and First Responder Skills.
Computer Forensics Lab practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Lab.
Evidence Acquisition and Duplication practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Evidence Acquisition and Duplication.
OS and Network Forensics practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and Network Forensics.
OS and File System Forensics practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and File System Forensics.
Application, Email and Cloud Forensics practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Application, Email and Cloud Forensics.
Mobile and Malware Forensics practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Mobile and Malware Forensics.
Network and Cloud Forensics practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Network and Cloud Forensics.
Database and Application Forensics practice questions
Practise CHFI questions linked to Database and Application Forensics.
Practice this exam
Start a free CHFI practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CHFI question test?
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: Correlate the database server logs with the web server logs to identify which records were queried and verify if they were exfiltrated via the outbound HTTP connection. — Option A is correct because correlating the database server logs with the web server logs allows you to identify exactly which customer records were queried and then cross-reference that with the outbound HTTP connection (from the web server to 198.51.100.20 on TCP port 80) to determine if the data was exfiltrated. This approach directly addresses both the root cause (SQL injection via the inbound request) and the scope (which records were stolen and how they left the network).
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.