The correct answer is a brute-force password guessing attack. Event ID 4625 logs a failed logon attempt, and when paired with Logon Type 3 (network) and a target account like 'admin' with the failure reason "Unknown user name or bad password," it directly indicates repeated password guesses over the network against a privileged account. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between credential-based attacks by analyzing logon types and event IDs—a common trap is confusing this with pass-the-hash, which uses Logon Type 9 or 10, or with Kerberos attacks that generate different event codes. To remember: Event 4625 + Logon Type 3 + "bad password" = brute force over the wire, not a hash or ticket attack.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security solutions for applications and data
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for applications and data. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 (Audit Failure)
Account Name: jdoe
Target Account Name: admin
Workstation Name: CLIENT-01
Logon Type: 3 (Network)
Process Name: C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
Source Network Address: 192.168.1.100
Failure Reason: Unknown user name or bad password.
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst is reviewing a Windows security event log from a domain controller. The event indicates an attempted logon failure. Which type of attack is most likely being attempted?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Brute-force password guessing attack
Event 4625 is a failed logon attempt. Logon Type 3 (Network) and the target account 'admin' with failure reason 'Unknown user name or bad password' suggest a brute-force or password guessing attack against a privileged account. Option B is correct because the event shows attempts to guess the 'admin' account password over the network. Option A is wrong because a pass-the-hash attack would use a different logon type and process. Option C is wrong because a Kerberos golden ticket attack would not show a logon type 3 failure. Option D is wrong because DCSync would generate different events (4662).
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Kerberos golden ticket attack
Why it's wrong here
Golden ticket attacks generate Kerberos service ticket requests, not network logon failures
✗
DCSync attack
Why it's wrong here
DCSync attacks involve replication requests and generate event ID 4662, not 4625
✗
Pass-the-hash attack
Why it's wrong here
Pass-the-hash attacks typically use Logon Type 9 (NewCredentials) or 10 (RemoteInteractive) and involve specific processes like lsass.exe
✓
Brute-force password guessing attack
Why this is correct
Multiple failed logon attempts with Logon Type 3 targeting a privileged account indicate a brute-force password guessing attack over the network
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-100 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Brute-force password guessing attack — Event 4625 is a failed logon attempt. Logon Type 3 (Network) and the target account 'admin' with failure reason 'Unknown user name or bad password' suggest a brute-force or password guessing attack against a privileged account. Option B is correct because the event shows attempts to guess the 'admin' account password over the network. Option A is wrong because a pass-the-hash attack would use a different logon type and process. Option C is wrong because a Kerberos golden ticket attack would not show a logon type 3 failure. Option D is wrong because DCSync would generate different events (4662).
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-100 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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