The answer is that the user lacks the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right. This is confirmed by the event log ID 4625 failure, which specifically cites the user not being granted the requested logon type at this machine—for RDP, that logon type is 10 (Remote Interactive). Even with correct credentials, the Remote Desktop Services logon right denied error blocks the session at the authentication stage because the user right is assigned via Local Security Policy or Group Policy, not through mere account permissions. On the SSCP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Windows authentication and user rights assignment, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly blame password issues or network problems. Remember the mnemonic: “RDP needs R-I-G-H-T”—Remote Interactive requires the Group Policy/Hardened user right.
SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Event 4625, Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing
Account For Which Logon Failed:
Security ID: S-1-5-21-123456789-123456789-123456789-1105
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Failure Information:
Failure Reason: The user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer.
Status: 0xC000015B
Sub Status: 0x0
Refer to the exhibit. A user reports being unable to remote desktop (RDP) into a Windows server. Given the event log, what is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Event 4625, Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing
Account For Which Logon Failed:
Security ID: S-1-5-21-123456789-123456789-123456789-1105
Account Name: jdoe
Account Domain: CORP
Failure Information:
Failure Reason: The user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer.
Status: 0xC000015B
Sub Status: 0x0
A
The user does not have the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right
The failure reason clearly states the logon type is not granted; this user right is required for RDP access.
B
The user account is locked out
Why wrong: A locked account would show status 0xC0000234, not 0xC000015B.
C
The server is not a member of the domain
Why wrong: A non-domain server would show a different error, such as 'The computer is not trusted'.
D
The user's Kerberos ticket has expired
Why wrong: An expired ticket would result in a different failure reason related to credentials or authentication.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user does not have the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right
The event log shows an 'An account failed to log on' event (ID 4625) with a failure reason indicating 'The user has not been granted the requested logon type at this machine.' For Remote Desktop connections, the required logon type is 'Remote Interactive' (logon type 10). This specific error means the user lacks the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right, which is assigned via Local Security Policy or Group Policy. Without this right, the RDP session is denied at the authentication stage, even if the username and password are correct.
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.
✓
The user does not have the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right
Why this is correct
The failure reason clearly states the logon type is not granted; this user right is required for RDP access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The user account is locked out
Why it's wrong here
A locked account would show status 0xC0000234, not 0xC000015B.
✗
The server is not a member of the domain
Why it's wrong here
A non-domain server would show a different error, such as 'The computer is not trusted'.
✗
The user's Kerberos ticket has expired
Why it's wrong here
An expired ticket would result in a different failure reason related to credentials or authentication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume RDP failures are due to network issues, firewall rules, or account lockouts, when the event log's specific failure reason (logon type denial) directly points to a missing user right assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A locked account would show status 0xC0000234, not 0xC000015B.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right is stored in the local security policy under 'User Rights Assignment' and is enforced by the Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) service via the Win32_TSAccount class. When a user initiates an RDP connection, the server checks this right against the user's token before creating the interactive session. In a domain environment, this right can be assigned via Group Policy (Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment), and it overrides local settings. A common real-world scenario is when an administrator adds a user to the Remote Desktop Users group but forgets that the group itself must have the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' right, which is often granted by default but can be removed by restrictive GPOs.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user does not have the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right — The event log shows an 'An account failed to log on' event (ID 4625) with a failure reason indicating 'The user has not been granted the requested logon type at this machine.' For Remote Desktop connections, the required logon type is 'Remote Interactive' (logon type 10). This specific error means the user lacks the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right, which is assigned via Local Security Policy or Group Policy. Without this right, the RDP session is denied at the authentication stage, even if the username and password are correct.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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