- A
Scanning and enumeration
Why wrong: Scanning/enumeration identifies open ports and services.
- B
Exploitation
Why wrong: Exploitation is the initial compromise, not lateral movement.
- C
Reconnaissance
Why wrong: Reconnaissance is information gathering before exploitation.
- D
Post-exploitation and lateral movement
This phase involves moving from the compromised system to others.
Question 915 of 1,000
CISSP Security Assessment and Testing Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security assessment and testing. 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.
During a penetration test, the tester successfully gains access to a server and then attempts to move laterally to other systems. This phase is known as:
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
✓
Post-exploitation and lateral movement
After initial access is gained, the phase where the tester moves from the compromised host to other systems within the network is specifically called post-exploitation and lateral movement. This involves using the foothold to pivot, escalate privileges, and access additional resources, which is distinct from the initial exploitation step.
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.
- ✗
Scanning and enumeration
Why it's wrong here
Scanning/enumeration identifies open ports and services.
- ✗
Exploitation
Why it's wrong here
Exploitation is the initial compromise, not lateral movement.
- ✗
Reconnaissance
Why it's wrong here
Reconnaissance is information gathering before exploitation.
- ✓
Post-exploitation and lateral movement
Why this is correct
This phase involves moving from the compromised system to others.
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 confuse 'exploitation' (the initial breach) with the broader post-exploitation phase, forgetting that lateral movement is a distinct activity that occurs after the initial foothold is established.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lateral movement often relies on techniques like Pass-the-Hash (PtH) using NTLM hashes, Kerberos ticket reuse (Pass-the-Ticket), or exploiting remote administration protocols such as WinRM (5985/5986) or SMB (445). In a real-world scenario, an attacker might dump LSASS memory on a compromised Windows server to extract credentials, then use those credentials to authenticate to other domain-joined systems via PsExec or WMI, effectively moving laterally without triggering typical antivirus alerts.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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.
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Security Assessment and Testing — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Security Assessment and Testing — This question tests Security Assessment and Testing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Post-exploitation and lateral movement — After initial access is gained, the phase where the tester moves from the compromised host to other systems within the network is specifically called post-exploitation and lateral movement. This involves using the foothold to pivot, escalate privileges, and access additional resources, which is distinct from the initial exploitation step.
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.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.
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