This CISM practice question tests your understanding of incident management. 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.
Exhibit:
```
2024-11-20T15:23:45Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:47Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:49Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:51Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:53Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
```
Based on the log entries, what is the most likely scenario?
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.
Refer to the exhibit.
Exhibit:
```
2024-11-20T15:23:45Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:47Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:49Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:51Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
2024-11-20T15:23:53Z [SRV-DB01] [sshd] Failed password for root from 192.168.1.105 port 22 ssh2
```
A
A brute-force attack against the root account
Multiple failed attempts in quick succession for the same account and IP is classic brute-force behavior.
B
A remote code execution attempt
Why wrong: The logs show authentication failures, not signs of code execution.
C
A legitimate user repeatedly mistyping their password
Why wrong: The rapid 2-second intervals are more consistent with automated guessing than a human error.
D
A misconfiguration causing duplicate log entries
Why wrong: Duplicate entries would show identical timestamps, not a pattern of repeated attempts.
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 attack against the root account
The rapid succession of failed SSH login attempts for the root account from the same IP indicates a brute-force attack. Option A is not supported by the logs. Option B is unlikely due to the speed of attempts. Option C is less likely than an active attack.
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.
✓
A brute-force attack against the root account
Why this is correct
Multiple failed attempts in quick succession for the same account and IP is classic brute-force behavior.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A remote code execution attempt
Why it's wrong here
The logs show authentication failures, not signs of code execution.
✗
A legitimate user repeatedly mistyping their password
Why it's wrong here
The rapid 2-second intervals are more consistent with automated guessing than a human error.
✗
A misconfiguration causing duplicate log entries
Why it's wrong here
Duplicate entries would show identical timestamps, not a pattern of repeated attempts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The logs show authentication failures, not signs of code execution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 CISM 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 CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Incident Management — This question tests Incident Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A brute-force attack against the root account — The rapid succession of failed SSH login attempts for the root account from the same IP indicates a brute-force attack. Option A is not supported by the logs. Option B is unlikely due to the speed of attempts. Option C is less likely than an active attack.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which CISM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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