hardMultiple Choice
SSCP Practice Question: A security analyst reviews the firewall log…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Exhibit: Firewall log snippet ``` 2024-03-15 10:23:45 ALLOW TCP 192.168.1.100:34567 -> 10.0.0.50:3389 2024-03-15 10:23:46 ALLOW TCP 192.168.1.100:34568 -> 10.0.0.50:3389 2024-03-15 10:23:47 ALLOW TCP 192.168.1.100:34569 -> 10.0.0.50:3389 2024-03-15 10:23:48 ALLOW TCP 192.168.1.100:34570 -> 10.0.0.50:3389 2024-03-15 10:23:49 ALLOW TCP 192.168.1.100:34571 -> 10.0.0.50:3389 ```
A security analyst reviews the firewall log exhibit. Which type of activity is indicated?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between a brute force attack (repeated attempts to the same service) and a port scan (attempts to multiple services), so candidates mistakenly choose 'port scan' when they see many entries, even though all entries target the same port.
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
✓
Brute force attack against RDP service
The firewall log shows repeated failed RDP (TCP/3389) connection attempts from a single external IP to a single internal IP within a short time window. This pattern of multiple authentication failures against the same service is characteristic of a brute force attack, where an attacker systematically tries common passwords to gain unauthorized access to the RDP service.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Brute force attack against RDP service
Why this is correct
Repeated failed RDP authentication attempts from a single source against multiple accounts, followed by a success, indicate credential guessing rather than scanning or exfiltration. The log's destination port 3389 and high failure volume satisfy the stem's brute force signature.
- ✗
Port scan of the internal network
Why it's wrong here
A port scan shows one source probing many sequential destination ports or hosts, usually with SYN packets and little data; the exhibit lacks that sweep pattern. It is tempting because reconnaissance is the commonest log anomaly, yet the correct answer must reflect the specific repeated single-port connections shown.
- ✗
Data exfiltration to an external server
Why it's wrong here
Exfiltration requires outbound transfers of internal data to an external host, typically large volumes or unusual destinations; the exhibit shows no such egress pattern. It is tempting because any external IP contact looks suspicious, but the correct answer must match the logged direction, port and volume actually present.
- ✗
Normal administrative remote access
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit's repeated inbound connections to a single management port from one source, matching an approved change window, indicate expected administrator access rather than an attack. It is tempting because any remote session can resemble intrusion, yet the correct answer requires evidence of scanning or exfiltration across many ports or hosts.
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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.