CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. 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
// Windows Security Event Log excerpt
Log Name: Security
Event ID: 4672 (Special Logon)
Account Name: SYSTEM
Account Domain: NT AUTHORITY
Logon ID: 0x3e7
Privileges: SeTcbPrivilege
Event ID: 4688 (Process Creation)
Process Name: C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
Command Line: cmd.exe /c whoami
Parent Process: C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe
Event ID: 4672 (Special Logon)
Account Name: SYSTEM
Account Domain: NT AUTHORITY
Logon ID: 0x3e7
Privileges: SeDebugPrivilege, SeTcbPrivilege
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst detects unusual process creation. Which attack technique is most likely being observed?
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
✓
LSASS credential dumping using Mimikatz
The exhibit shows that a cmd.exe process was spawned by lsass.exe, which is abnormal. lsass.exe is the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service. The parent process being lsass.exe indicates that an attacker may have injected code into lsass.exe to execute commands. The privileges assigned to the logon session include SeDebugPrivilege and SeTcbPrivilege, which are high privileges. This is indicative of a Pass-the-Hash or credential dumping attack where the attacker uses LSASS to extract credentials or execute commands with SYSTEM privileges.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Privilege escalation via SeDebugPrivilege
Why it's wrong here
While SeDebugPrivilege is present, the key indicator is the abnormal parent process (lsass.exe), not just the privilege.
✗
Pass-the-Hash attack
Why it's wrong here
Pass-the-Hash uses NTLM hashes, but the exhibit shows process creation from lsass, not network authentication.
✗
Kerberos Golden Ticket attack
Why it's wrong here
Golden Ticket attacks typically involve forging TGTs, not spawning cmd.exe from lsass.exe.
✓
LSASS credential dumping using Mimikatz
Why this is correct
Mimikatz can inject into lsass.exe to dump credentials; spawning cmd.exe from lsass is a common post-exploitation step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Pass-the-Hash uses NTLM hashes, but the exhibit shows process creation from lsass, not network authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Security Architecture and Engineering — This question tests Security Architecture and Engineering — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: LSASS credential dumping using Mimikatz — The exhibit shows that a cmd.exe process was spawned by lsass.exe, which is abnormal. lsass.exe is the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service. The parent process being lsass.exe indicates that an attacker may have injected code into lsass.exe to execute commands. The privileges assigned to the logon session include SeDebugPrivilege and SeTcbPrivilege, which are high privileges. This is indicative of a Pass-the-Hash or credential dumping attack where the attacker uses LSASS to extract credentials or execute commands with SYSTEM privileges.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CISSP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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