hardMultiple Choice
CISA Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
Event 4648: A logon was attempted using explicit credentials. Subject: Account Name: svc_backup Target Account: KORP\administrator Target Server: FILESRV01 Process Name: C:\Windows\System32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
Refer to the exhibit. This log entry MOST likely indicates:
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see a service account and assume it is legitimate backup activity, but the specific commands (net user /add, net localgroup Administrators) are clear indicators of privilege escalation, not routine maintenance.
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
✓
An attempt to escalate privileges or lateral movement
The log entry shows a service account (svc_backup) executing commands that create a new local user and add it to the Administrators group, which is a classic privilege escalation technique. The use of net user and net localgroup commands from a service account indicates an attempt to gain unauthorized administrative access, often as a precursor to lateral movement. This is not normal administrative activity because service accounts are typically restricted to specific tasks and should not be creating interactive user accounts.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
An attempt to escalate privileges or lateral movement
Why this is correct
The log records authentication followed by privileged command execution against remote hosts, the signature pattern of privilege escalation and lateral movement. This satisfies the stem's constraint by matching the observed credential use and cross-host access rather than routine administrative activity.
- ✗
A scheduled backup using the service account
Why it's wrong here
A scheduled backup would show a cron or backup-agent process, not authentication events. The log entry records repeated logon attempts, which points to credential-based intrusion activity rather than routine data protection. Scheduled backup activity would be the right interpretation if the entry showed a backup service account executing a defined job.
- ✗
A brute-force attack
Why it's wrong here
Brute-force attacks typically show many failed authentications from one source against many accounts, or rapid repeated failures. A single successful logon followed by normal session activity does not match that pattern. Brute-force would be correct if the exhibit showed a high volume of failed logon attempts within a short window.
- ✗
Normal administrative activity
Why it's wrong here
Normal administrative activity would originate from a known admin account during business hours with expected commands. The entry shows authentication from an unexpected source or at an unusual time, indicating compromise rather than routine operations. This interpretation would be correct if the account, source and timing all matched established administrative baselines.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISA exam.