The answer is that the logs indicate data exfiltration, as the same sensitive file data.txt is being successfully accessed by multiple distinct IP addresses. This pattern is a classic red flag because legitimate users typically access a file from a consistent or limited set of IPs, whereas repeated HTTP 200 success responses from different sources—like 10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.2, and 10.0.0.3—suggest an attacker or insider is copying PII to external hosts. On the CISSP exam, this tests your ability to correlate log analysis with the data exfiltration detection domain, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish between normal access and malicious data harvesting. A common trap is to focus on the HTTP 200 status as a sign of success, but the key is the multiplicity of IPs—one file, many sources. Memory tip: “One file, many IPs? Data’s on the trip.”
CISSP Asset Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of asset security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. The file data.txt contains PII. What is the most likely security issue indicated by the 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The file is being accessed by multiple IPs, potentially indicating data exfiltration
The log shows the same file data.txt being accessed from multiple distinct IP addresses (10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.2, 10.0.0.3) with HTTP 200 success responses. This pattern of repeated successful reads from different sources is a classic indicator of data exfiltration, where an attacker or malicious insider is copying sensitive PII to multiple external hosts. The HTTP 200 status confirms the file was successfully retrieved each time, ruling out corruption or access failures.
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.
✗
The HTTP 200 status indicates the file is corrupted
Why it's wrong here
200 is successful retrieval, not corruption.
✗
The file permissions restrict access to root only
Why it's wrong here
Permissions show world-readable (-rw-r--r--), so anyone can read.
✗
The file is being overwritten by unauthorized users
Why it's wrong here
Only read access is shown in logs, not write.
✓
The file is being accessed by multiple IPs, potentially indicating data exfiltration
Why this is correct
Multiple GET requests from different IPs to a PII file is suspicious.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the HTTP 200 status or file permissions as the issue, rather than recognizing that repeated successful reads from multiple IPs is the hallmark of data exfiltration.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Permissions show world-readable (-rw-r--r--), so anyone can read.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In web server logs, HTTP GET requests with 200 responses indicate successful retrieval of the resource. Data exfiltration often involves an attacker using compromised credentials or an insider to download sensitive files repeatedly to different external IPs, bypassing DLP controls. The pattern of multiple distinct source IPs accessing the same file in a short time window is a key indicator in SIEM correlation rules for data loss detection.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Asset Security — This question tests Asset Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The file is being accessed by multiple IPs, potentially indicating data exfiltration — The log shows the same file data.txt being accessed from multiple distinct IP addresses (10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.2, 10.0.0.3) with HTTP 200 success responses. This pattern of repeated successful reads from different sources is a classic indicator of data exfiltration, where an attacker or malicious insider is copying sensitive PII to multiple external hosts. The HTTP 200 status confirms the file was successfully retrieved each time, ruling out corruption or access failures.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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