SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
A security analyst notices that an attacker on the same VLAN is able to capture traffic from other hosts, including sensitive data. The attacker has not compromised any switch or router. Which network attack is most likely being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that capturing traffic requires a compromised switch or router, when ARP spoofing can achieve it at the endpoint level.
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
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ARP spoofing
ARP spoofing, also called ARP poisoning, allows an attacker on the same subnet to intercept traffic by sending forged ARP messages. The attacker can then forward traffic to the real destination while capturing it, achieving a man-in-the-middle attack without compromising network devices.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
ARP spoofing
Why this is correct
ARP spoofing sends forged ARP replies to associate the attacker's MAC address with the IP address of another host, such as the default gateway. This causes traffic to be sent to the attacker, who can then forward it to the legitimate destination while capturing it, enabling man-in-the-middle without switch compromise.
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MAC flooding
Why it's wrong here
MAC flooding overloads the switch's CAM table, causing it to fail open and broadcast all frames, but this requires a continuous flood and often degrades network performance. The scenario describes silent capture without switch compromise, which is better explained by ARP spoofing.
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VLAN hopping
Why it's wrong here
VLAN hopping allows an attacker to send traffic to a different VLAN, typically by double tagging or switch spoofing. It does not directly enable capturing traffic from hosts on the same VLAN; it is used to bypass VLAN segmentation.
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DHCP starvation
Why it's wrong here
DHCP starvation exhausts the DHCP server's IP pool by requesting many leases with spoofed MAC addresses, causing denial of service for legitimate clients. It does not allow traffic capture from other hosts on the same VLAN.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.