The answer is multiple users accessing the web server normally, as the exhibit shows three internal hosts completing standard TCP three-way handshakes with the web server on port 80 using varying source ports and no abnormal flags or packet rates. This pattern is the textbook signature of legitimate concurrent user access, where each host establishes a clean connection, exchanges data, and terminates without flooding, scanning, or malformed packets. On the Certified Information Security Manager CISM exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret network traffic normal vs attack by distinguishing benign baseline behavior from indicators of reconnaissance or denial-of-service events. A common trap is misreading multiple SYN packets as a SYN flood, but the key differentiator is the completion of the handshake—attack traffic typically shows repeated SYNs without corresponding SYN-ACKs or ACKs. Remember the memory tip: “Three shakes for normal, one shake for attack”—if the handshake completes, it’s likely legitimate user traffic.
CISM Information Security Program Practice Question
This CISM practice question tests your understanding of information security program. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. An analyst observes the network traffic between three internal hosts and a web server. Which of the following is the MOST likely interpretation of this traffic?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Multiple users are accessing the web server normally.
The exhibit shows multiple internal hosts (10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.2, 10.0.0.3) each establishing a normal TCP three-way handshake with the web server (192.168.1.100) on port 80, with varying source ports and no abnormal flags or packet rates. This pattern indicates legitimate concurrent user access, as each host completes the handshake and exchanges data without flooding or scanning behavior.
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 SYN flood attack is in progress.
Why it's wrong here
Each connection completes the handshake, so it is not a SYN flood.
✗
A single host is using multiple IP addresses to scan the server.
Why it's wrong here
The requests are to the same server but from different legitimate sources.
✓
Multiple users are accessing the web server normally.
Why this is correct
The logs show successful TCP connections followed by HTTP requests.
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 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is occurring.
Why it's wrong here
The traffic volume is low and appears normal; no indication of overload.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may misinterpret any traffic from multiple hosts as a DDoS attack, failing to notice the normal handshake completion and low packet volume that indicate legitimate user access rather than an attack.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a normal TCP connection, the client sends a SYN, the server responds with SYN-ACK, and the client completes with an ACK (RFC 793). The exhibit shows this exact sequence for each host, with source ports like 49152–49154 (ephemeral ports) and no retransmissions or flags like RST or FIN prematurely. Real-world scenarios where this matters include distinguishing legitimate traffic from reconnaissance or volumetric attacks in SIEM logs, where analysts must check for handshake completion ratios and packet rates.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Information Security Program — This question tests Information Security Program — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Multiple users are accessing the web server normally. — The exhibit shows multiple internal hosts (10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.2, 10.0.0.3) each establishing a normal TCP three-way handshake with the web server (192.168.1.100) on port 80, with varying source ports and no abnormal flags or packet rates. This pattern indicates legitimate concurrent user access, as each host completes the handshake and exchanges data without flooding or scanning behavior.
What should I do if I get this CISM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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