The correct answer is that an attacker brute-forced the password and then used the credentials to access a file server. This conclusion is drawn from the classic signature of a brute-force attack in Windows Event Logs: a burst of Event ID 4625 (failed logon) events for a single account within a short window, immediately followed by a single Event ID 4624 (successful logon) and then an Event ID 5140 (file share access). The rapid, repeated failures indicate automated guessing, while the sudden success and subsequent file access confirm the attacker compromised the password and moved laterally to a file server. On the CISM exam, this scenario tests your ability to correlate multiple log events into a coherent attack narrative, a key skill in incident detection and response. A common trap is mistaking the failed logons for a denial-of-service attempt or ignoring the follow-up access event. Memory tip: think “4625s then 4624 equals brute-force success—always check what happens next.”
CISM Incident Management Practice Question
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:
Event Log Entry:
Time: 2023-10-05 14:23:17
Event ID: 4625
Source: Security
User: SYSTEM
Logon Type: 3
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Failure Reason: Unknown user name or bad password.
Workstation Name: WS-001
IP Address: 192.168.1.50
Event Log Entry:
Time: 2023-10-05 14:24:05
Event ID: 4624
Source: Security
User: SYSTEM
Logon Type: 3
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Workstation Name: WS-001
IP Address: 192.168.1.50
Event Log Entry:
Time: 2023-10-05 14:25:10
Event ID: 4648
Source: Security
User: jdoe
Logon Type: 2
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Target Server: FILE-SRV-01
Additional Info: A logon was attempted using explicit credentials.
Workstation Name: WS-001
IP Address: 192.168.1.50
Based on the exhibit, 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:
Event Log Entry:
Time: 2023-10-05 14:23:17
Event ID: 4625
Source: Security
User: SYSTEM
Logon Type: 3
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Failure Reason: Unknown user name or bad password.
Workstation Name: WS-001
IP Address: 192.168.1.50
Event Log Entry:
Time: 2023-10-05 14:24:05
Event ID: 4624
Source: Security
User: SYSTEM
Logon Type: 3
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Workstation Name: WS-001
IP Address: 192.168.1.50
Event Log Entry:
Time: 2023-10-05 14:25:10
Event ID: 4648
Source: Security
User: jdoe
Logon Type: 2
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Target Server: FILE-SRV-01
Additional Info: A logon was attempted using explicit credentials.
Workstation Name: WS-001
IP Address: 192.168.1.50
A
A user is performing a scheduled task that requires authentication.
Why wrong: Scheduled tasks typically run under system accounts, not with explicit credentials.
B
A user forgot their password and successfully logged in after retrying.
Why wrong: The pattern shows a failed attempt followed by success, but the explicit credential use to a file server suggests more than a simple mistake.
C
An attacker brute-forced the password and then used the credentials to access a file server.
The sequence indicates successful guess followed by lateral movement.
D
A system administrator is testing password policies.
Why wrong: There is no indication of administrative intent; it appears malicious.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An attacker brute-forced the password and then used the credentials to access a file server.
The exhibit shows multiple failed authentication attempts (Event ID 4625) from a single user account within a short time window, followed by a successful logon (Event ID 4624) and then an access event to a file share (Event ID 5140). This pattern of rapid, repeated failures culminating in a single success is characteristic of a brute-force attack, where the attacker guesses the password and then uses the compromised credentials to access a file server.
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 user is performing a scheduled task that requires authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled tasks typically run under system accounts, not with explicit credentials.
✗
A user forgot their password and successfully logged in after retrying.
Why it's wrong here
The pattern shows a failed attempt followed by success, but the explicit credential use to a file server suggests more than a simple mistake.
✓
An attacker brute-forced the password and then used the credentials to access a file server.
Why this is correct
The sequence indicates successful guess followed by lateral movement.
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 system administrator is testing password policies.
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication of administrative intent; it appears malicious.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may misinterpret the failed logons as a user simply forgetting their password (Option B), but the rapid, repeated failures followed by a successful logon and file access clearly indicate a brute-force attack rather than a benign password mistake.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The pattern shows a failed attempt followed by success, but the explicit credential use to a file server suggests more than a simple mistake.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Windows Security Event ID 4625 (Logon Failure) records the reason for failure (e.g., bad password, account locked out) and the logon type; a brute-force attack often shows multiple 4625 events with the same account name and source IP, followed by a 4624 (Logon Success) with Logon Type 3 (network) or 2 (interactive). The subsequent 5140 event (A file share was accessed) indicates the attacker used the stolen credentials to mount a share, which is a common post-exploitation step in lateral movement or data exfiltration scenarios.
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.
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: An attacker brute-forced the password and then used the credentials to access a file server. — The exhibit shows multiple failed authentication attempts (Event ID 4625) from a single user account within a short time window, followed by a successful logon (Event ID 4624) and then an access event to a file share (Event ID 5140). This pattern of rapid, repeated failures culminating in a single success is characteristic of a brute-force attack, where the attacker guesses the password and then uses the compromised credentials to access a file server.
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.
About these practice questions
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Why A: 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.
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This CISM 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 CISM exam.
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