- A
To disable the switch by sending fake VLAN tags
Why wrong: That relates to VLAN hopping, not ARP spoofing.
- B
To overwhelm the network with broadcast traffic
Why wrong: That describes a broadcast storm, not ARP spoofing.
- C
To redirect traffic to the attacker's machine for eavesdropping or modification
Correct. ARP spoofing enables man-in-the-middle attacks.
- D
To corrupt the DNS cache
Why wrong: DNS cache poisoning affects name resolution, not MAC-IP mapping.
Question 377 of 1,000
ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
A security analyst detects an ARP spoofing attack on the local network. What is the primary goal of an ARP spoofing attack?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
To redirect traffic to the attacker's machine for eavesdropping or modification
ARP spoofing allows an attacker to intercept traffic by associating their MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate host.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To disable the switch by sending fake VLAN tags
- ✗
To overwhelm the network with broadcast traffic
Why it's wrong here
That describes a broadcast storm, not ARP spoofing.
- ✓
To redirect traffic to the attacker's machine for eavesdropping or modification
- ✗
To corrupt the DNS cache
Why it's wrong here
DNS cache poisoning affects name resolution, not MAC-IP mapping.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related CC questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
- →
Network Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CC questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CC practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CC practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security Principles practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Security Principles.
Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response.
Access Controls Concepts practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Access Controls Concepts.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Security Operations.
Network Security practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Network Security.
Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response.
CC fundamentals practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to CC fundamentals.
CC scenario practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to CC scenario.
CC troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CC questions linked to CC troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CC 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 CC question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: To redirect traffic to the attacker's machine for eavesdropping or modification — ARP spoofing allows an attacker to intercept traffic by associating their MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate host.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related CC questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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: Jul 4, 2026
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC 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.