hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
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 connections to RDP port suggest password guessing.
- ✗
Port scan of the internal network
Why it's wrong here
Port scan would show connections to multiple ports, not same port.
- ✗
Data exfiltration to an external server
Why it's wrong here
Data exfiltration typically involves outbound traffic to external IPs.
- ✗
Normal administrative remote access
Why it's wrong here
Normal access would not generate rapid connections.
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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.