This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
```
Oct 12 09:15:22 cloudhost sshd[1234]: Failed password for admin from 203.0.113.55 port 2213 ssh2
Oct 12 09:15:25 cloudhost sshd[1234]: Accepted password for admin from 203.0.113.55 port 2213 ssh2
Oct 12 09:15:30 cloudhost sudo: admin : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/home/admin ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/mysql -h db-internal -u root -pS3cur3P@ss
Oct 12 09:16:00 cloudhost mysqld[2345]: 2023-10-12 9:16:00 2 [Note] Access denied for user 'root'@'cloudhost' (using password: YES)
```
An administrator notices the log entries in the exhibit from a cloud-hosted server. What is the MOST likely security concern indicated by these logs?
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.
```
Oct 12 09:15:22 cloudhost sshd[1234]: Failed password for admin from 203.0.113.55 port 2213 ssh2
Oct 12 09:15:25 cloudhost sshd[1234]: Accepted password for admin from 203.0.113.55 port 2213 ssh2
Oct 12 09:15:30 cloudhost sudo: admin : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/home/admin ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/mysql -h db-internal -u root -pS3cur3P@ss
Oct 12 09:16:00 cloudhost mysqld[2345]: 2023-10-12 9:16:00 2 [Note] Access denied for user 'root'@'cloudhost' (using password: YES)
```
A
A brute-force attack succeeded in logging into the system, and a database password was exposed in the command line
Failed then accepted login indicates brute-force success; password in plaintext is a credential exposure.
B
Data was exfiltrated from the MySQL database
Why wrong: No evidence of data exfiltration; access was denied.
C
The MySQL database was accessed by an unauthorized user
Why wrong: The MySQL access was denied, so no successful database access.
D
A failed SSH login attempt indicates a misconfigured firewall
Why wrong: A failed login does not indicate firewall misconfiguration.
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 succeeded in logging into the system, and a database password was exposed in the command line
The log entries show a successful SSH login followed by a MySQL command that includes the database password in plaintext on the command line (e.g., `mysql -u root -pPassword123`). This indicates a brute-force attack succeeded, and the password was exposed in the process list or shell history, which is a critical data security concern.
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 succeeded in logging into the system, and a database password was exposed in the command line
Why this is correct
Failed then accepted login indicates brute-force success; password in plaintext is a credential exposure.
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.
✗
Data was exfiltrated from the MySQL database
Why it's wrong here
No evidence of data exfiltration; access was denied.
✗
The MySQL database was accessed by an unauthorized user
Why it's wrong here
The MySQL access was denied, so no successful database access.
✗
A failed SSH login attempt indicates a misconfigured firewall
Why it's wrong here
A failed login does not indicate firewall misconfiguration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between a successful brute-force attack and data exfiltration, where candidates confuse a successful login with actual data theft, but the logs here only show the password exposure, not data movement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a database password is passed on the command line (e.g., `mysql -p` with the password), it becomes visible in the system's process list (via `ps aux`) and shell history, violating least privilege and data protection principles. In cloud environments, such exposure can lead to lateral movement if the attacker gains access to the server, as the password is stored in plaintext in logs or memory. Real-world attacks often chain a successful SSH brute-force with credential harvesting from command-line arguments.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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.
Cloud Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — 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 succeeded in logging into the system, and a database password was exposed in the command line — The log entries show a successful SSH login followed by a MySQL command that includes the database password in plaintext on the command line (e.g., `mysql -u root -pPassword123`). This indicates a brute-force attack succeeded, and the password was exposed in the process list or shell history, which is a critical data security concern.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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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