The answer is unusual processes running under elevated privileges, as this directly signals that an attacker has bypassed normal access controls to execute code with higher permissions than intended. This indicator is correct because privilege escalation attacks—whether vertical (gaining root or admin rights) or horizontal (accessing another user’s resources)—often leave forensic traces like unexpected services, scheduled tasks, or binaries launched from non-standard directories with SYSTEM or root authority. On the CISSP exam, this question tests your grasp of the “Security Operations” domain, specifically monitoring and detection of unauthorized privilege use. A common trap is confusing privilege escalation with simple malware execution; remember that the key differentiator is the *elevated context* of the process, not just its presence. For a quick memory tip, think “PEAK”: Processes, Escalation, Anomalous, Kernel-level—if a process is running with rights it shouldn’t have, suspect escalation.
CISSP Security Operations Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
Which THREE of the following are common indicators of a privilege escalation attack? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Creation of new user accounts with administrative privileges
Option A is correct because the creation of new user accounts with administrative privileges is a classic post-exploitation technique used by attackers to establish persistent elevated access. After successfully exploiting a vulnerability to gain initial elevated privileges, an attacker often creates a backdoor account (e.g., via `net user /add` and `net localgroup Administrators /add` on Windows, or `useradd -G wheel` on Linux) to maintain control even if the original exploit vector is patched. This indicator is directly tied to privilege escalation as it demonstrates an unauthorized elevation from a lower-privileged context to full administrative control.
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.
✓
Creation of new user accounts with administrative privileges
Why this is correct
Often used to maintain persistence after escalation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Higher-than-normal network traffic
Why it's wrong here
More indicative of data exfiltration or C2.
✗
System performance degradation
Why it's wrong here
Too generic; can have many causes.
✓
Modification of system files or registry keys
Why this is correct
Common after successful escalation to achieve persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Unusual processes running under elevated privileges
Why this is correct
Could indicate exploitation of local privilege escalation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between general attack symptoms (like network traffic spikes or performance drops) and specific indicators that directly evidence the privilege escalation technique itself, leading candidates to over-select broad, non-specific options.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Privilege escalation attacks often leverage kernel vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2021-4034 in polkit's pkexec) or misconfigured SUID binaries (e.g., `find / -perm -4000`) to gain root or SYSTEM access. On Windows, common techniques include token manipulation (e.g., `SeImpersonatePrivilege` abuse via potato attacks) or exploiting service misconfigurations (e.g., unquoted service paths). The modification of system files or registry keys (Option D) is a key indicator because attackers may alter critical binaries (e.g., replacing `lsass.exe` with a backdoored version) or registry run keys to maintain persistence after escalation.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Creation of new user accounts with administrative privileges — Option A is correct because the creation of new user accounts with administrative privileges is a classic post-exploitation technique used by attackers to establish persistent elevated access. After successfully exploiting a vulnerability to gain initial elevated privileges, an attacker often creates a backdoor account (e.g., via `net user /add` and `net localgroup Administrators /add` on Windows, or `useradd -G wheel` on Linux) to maintain control even if the original exploit vector is patched. This indicator is directly tied to privilege escalation as it demonstrates an unauthorized elevation from a lower-privileged context to full administrative control.
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.
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Question Discussion
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