SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
A security analyst discovers that an internal DNS server is returning incorrect IP addresses for legitimate domains. The analyst suspects that an attacker has compromised the DNS resolver's cache. Which type of attack has likely occurred?
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
✓
DNS poisoning
DNS poisoning involves inserting false DNS records into a resolver's cache, redirecting users to malicious sites.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DNS amplification attack
Why it's wrong here
Amplification is a DDoS technique, not cache corruption.
- ✗
SYN flood
Why it's wrong here
SYN flood targets TCP, not DNS records.
- ✗
DNS tunneling
Why it's wrong here
Tunneling uses DNS to exfiltrate data, not corrupt records.
- ✓
DNS poisoning
Why this is correct
The attacker corrupted the cache to redirect traffic.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.