200-201 Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) Questions and Answers

In a PCAP file, which is used to capture network packets, each packet contains various pieces of information that can be analyzed. The source and destination addresses refer to the IP addresses of the sender and receiver of the packets. The source and destination ports refer to the port numbers used for the communication, with common ports like 443 indicating HTTPS traffic. The network protocol here is TCP, which is responsible for establishing a connection and ensuring the delivery of packets. The transport protocol is IPv4, which is the underlying protocol for routing packets across the network. Lastly, the application protocol is TLS v1.2, which is used for secure communication over the internet.

References := The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course material covers the analysis of network traffic and the interpretation of PCAP files, which includes identifying the different elements within a packet capture1.

A botnet is a network of compromised computers controlled by an attacker. Botnets are often used to carry out Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where the compromised machines are directed to flood a target with traffic, rendering it inaccessible. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.4: Denial-of-Service Attacks

 Sliding window anomaly detection is a technique used in cybersecurity to identify unusual patterns or behaviors that deviate from the norm. It involves analyzing segments of data over a period of time, referred to as a ‘window,’ and comparing them against typical patterns. Anomalies are detected when observed behaviors significantly differ from expected patterns, indicating potential security incidents or issues that require further investigation. References: An adaptive sliding window for anomaly detection of time series in wireless sensor networks

The scenario described involves an attacker conducting an aggressive ARP scan followed by multiple SSH Server Banner and Key Exchange Initiations. The lack of visibility into the encrypted data transmitted over the SSH channel suggests that the attacker may have gained access by brute-forcing the SSH service. This method involves attempting numerous combinations of usernames and passwords until the correct credentials are found, allowing unauthorized access to the server.

References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course1.
• Cisco Cybersecurity documents and resources

DDoS attacks are divided into two categories: reflected and direct. Reflected attacks use a third-party system to amplify the attack traffic and send it to the target. For example, an attacker can send a spoofed request to a DNS server, which will reply with a large amount of data to the target’s IP address. Direct attacks send the attack traffic directly from the attacker’s system or a botnet to the target. For example, an attacker can send a large number of SYN packets to the target’s port, exhausting its resources. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.4: Denial-of-Service Attacks

A sandbox is a technology on a host that is used to isolate a running application from other applications. A sandbox creates a controlled and restricted environment for the application to execute, limiting its access to system resources and data. A sandbox can prevent the application from spreading malware, stealing information, or causing damage to the host or the network. A sandbox can also be used to test and analyze the behavior of unknown or suspicious applications without risking the security of the host. Application allow list, application block list, and host-based firewall are other technologies on a host that can be used to control or restrict the execution of applications, but they do not isolate them from other applications. References:

• How can I best isolate a particular program (game)
• App isolation in Windows 10
• Types of Endpoint Application Isolation and Containment Technology

 Behavior-based detection monitors the behavior of programs in real-time. If a piece of software acts similarly to known malware after it’s been executed, behavior-based detection can stop it in its tracks. Signature-based detection involves searching for known patterns of data within executable code; if a pattern matches a “signature” in the system’s database that is considered malicious. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

 Protected data refers to any information that is legally guarded or sensitive due to its nature. In the context of the organization described, the main database contains Intellectual Property (IP), which includes patents that are legally protected forms of inventions and designs. The secondary database holds Personally Identifiable Information (PII), which comprises data that can be used to identify individuals, such as names and contact details. Both IP and PII are considered protected data and should be identified during an internal audit to ensure they are handled according to legal and regulatory standards. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

 When a server is experiencing high CPU and memory load, the first step is to identify the processes that are consuming the most resources. The command “ps -ef” is used to display information about all the running processes, including their IDs, memory and CPU usage, and the commands that started them. This allows the engineer to pinpoint which processes are responsible for the high load and take appropriate action, such as terminating unnecessary processes or optimizing resource usage345. References: Various resources on server management and troubleshooting recommend using the “ps -ef” command as a starting point for investigating high resource usage on servers

Rule-based detection involves identifying malicious activities based on predefined rules or patterns of known attacks; it does not adapt or change with new data. In contrast, behavioral detection adapts over time by learning from new data; it identifies malicious activities based on deviations from established norms or behaviors. References: Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview, Section 1.0: Security Concepts, Subsection 1.1: Compare and contrast the characteristics of data obtained from taps, NetFlow, and packet capture)

A certificate authority (CA) is a trusted entity that issues and manages digital certificates for secure communication over the internet. A digital certificate is a document that contains the public key and the identity of the owner of the key. A CA impacts security by validating the domain identity of the SSL certificate, which is a type of digital certificate that enables encrypted communication between a web server and a web browser. The CA verifies that the domain name in the certificate matches the domain name of the web server, and signs the certificate with its own private key. The web browser can then verify the signature of the CA and trust the identity of the web server. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.3: Cryptography and PKI, Topic 2.3.2: Public Key InfrastructureReference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_authority

The “ps” command is used to display information about the processes running on a system. The “-ef” option shows the full format listing, which includes the process ID, the user, the CPU and memory usage, the command name, and other details. This can help the engineer identify which processes are consuming the most resources and causing the degraded performance of the server. The other options are either invalid or irrelevant, as they do not provide the necessary information or perform the required action. References := Cisco Cybersecurity

Social engineering techniques often involve manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Phishing involves sending fraudulent messages (often emails) that appear to be from reputable sources with the goal of stealing sensitive data or installing malware. Pharming redirects the traffic of a legitimate website to another fraudulent website without the user’s knowledge, aiming to collect the user’s credentials. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

 Cyber attribution is the process of identifying the source, motive, and methods of a cyberattack. Cyber attribution can help investigators to determine the responsibility, intent, and capability of the threat actors, as well as to prevent, deter, or respond to future attacks. One of the pieces of information that is needed for cyber attribution is known threat actor behavior, which refers to the patterns, techniques, tools, and tactics that are characteristic of a specific threat actor or group. Known threat actor behavior can help investigators to narrow down the suspects, link different incidents, and understand the objectives and strategies of the attackers. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 5: Security Policies and Procedures, Lesson 5.2: Incident Response, Topic 5.2.3: Cyber Attribution, page 5-14.

A phishing attack often involves sending emails that appear to be from reputable sources with the goal of inducing individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. In this case, the email with the subject “price deduction” containing a malicious attachment is designed to trick the recipient into opening the attachment, which can then execute harmful software on their device

The packet capture shows that IP address 192.168.88.149, using source port 80 (common for HTTP traffic), initiated communication with IP address 192.168.88.12 at destination port 49098, using the TCP protocol, indicating a typical client-server interaction over the web.

References: = These explanations are based on general cybersecurity principles as outlined in Cisco’s training and certification content, such as the Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) and other related Cisco resources.

NAT (Network Address Translation) and PAT (Port Address Translation) are technologies that modify the IP address information in packet headers as they pass through a router or firewall, making it difficult to trace the communication back to the originating end-device.

Statistical detection involves collecting data over time to define what is considered normal behavior or legitimate data for users or systems. It then uses statistical analysis to identify abnormal behavior that could indicate a security incident. Rule-based detection uses predefined rules or patterns that are based on known threats or vulnerabilities - it operates on an IF/THEN basis where if certain conditions are met then an alert is triggered. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

Digital certificates are electronic documents that use public key cryptography to verify the identity and authenticity of the sender and the receiver of encrypted communications. Digital certificates are issued and signed by trusted entities called certificate authorities (CAs), and they contain information such as the public key, the name, and the expiration date of the certificate. Digital certificates enable network security devices to decrypt perimeter traffic and inspect it for command and control communications or other malicious activity. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 51.

The exhibit shows a Stealthwatch dashboard displaying information on alarming hosts, alarms by type, and today’s alarms. On the left side under “Top Alarming Hosts,” there are five host IP addresses listed with their respective categories indicating different types of alerts including ‘Data Hoarding’ and ‘Exfiltration.’ In “Alarms by Type” section at center top part of image shows bar graphs representing various alarm types including ‘Crypto Violation’ with their respective counts. On right side under “Today’s Alarms,” there’s a table showing the details of each alarm such as the host IP, the alarm type, the severity, and the time. The potential threat identified in this dashboard is that host 10.201.3.149 is receiving almost 19 times more data than is being sent to host 152.46.6.91, which is a sign of data exfiltration. Data exfiltration is the unauthorized transfer of data from a compromised system to an external destination, such as a command and control server or a malicious actor. This can result in data loss, breach of confidentiality, and damage to the organization’s reputation and assets. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 7: Network and Host Forensics

 Availability is one of the three pillars of the CIA triad, a model that defines the principles of information security. Availability describes the concept of data consistently and readily being accessible for legitimate users. Availability ensures that the network and systems are operational and resilient to disruptions, such as denial-of-service attacks, hardware failures, or natural disasters. Availability also involves maintaining backup and recovery procedures, load balancing, and redundancy mechanisms. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.1: Security Principles
• 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, Exam Topics, 1.0 Security Concepts, 1.1 Explain the CIA triad
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview - Cisco Learning Network, Videos, 1.1 Explain the CIA triad

Trafshow is a network monitoring tool that provides real-time monitoring of network traffic. It displays the current connections and the amount of data being transferred over those connections. It is particularly useful in a Security Operations Center (SOC) for identifying unusual traffic patterns or connections that may indicate a security incident.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

Full packet captures are essential for troubleshooting security and performance issues as they provide detailed information on network traffic (option B). They also allow for reassembling fragmented traffic from raw data, enabling analysts to review complete transactions or sessions (option C). References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 3: Network Data and Event Analysis

• A: Stateful inspection tracks the state of network connections, such as TCP streams, to determine if a packet is part of an established connection.
• B: Deep packet inspection examines the data part (payload) of a packet and can identify, block, or reroute packets with specific types of malware. Stateful inspection does not inspect the payload for malware.

• The image shows a piece of code within a bordered rectangular area.
• It is a string of HTML code that appears to be an example of an attack, specifically “”.
• The code suggests an attempt to execute JavaScript within an image source attribute, indicative of a cross-site scripting attack.

False positives and false negatives are terms used to describe the accuracy of security alerts. A false positive occurs when a security system incorrectly identifies benign activity as malicious, leading to unnecessary investigation and potential disruption of legitimate activities. Conversely, a false negative happens when a security system fails to detect actual malicious activity, allowing the attackers to proceed undetected. The impact of false positives is generally wasted time and resources investigating non-issues, while the impact of false negatives can be much more severe, potentially leading to undetected breaches and significant damage.

References: The CBROPS curriculum covers the concepts of false positives and false negatives in the context of security monitoring and alerting systems

NetFlow is a network protocol developed by Cisco for collecting IP traffic information and monitoring network flow. It provides valuable data about the network sessions occurring within the network, such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols used. This session data is useful for understanding traffic patterns, volume, and usage.

References: Cisco’s training and certification materials on NetFlow would discuss how it is used to obtain session data for network analysis.

 Rule-based detection is a type of intrusion detection system (IDS) that uses predefined rules or signatures to identify malicious or suspicious activity. Rule-based detection can provide proof of a user’s action, such as an attempt to exploit a known vulnerability or execute a malicious command. Rule-based detection can also provide a high level of accuracy and specificity, but it requires constant updates and maintenance of the rules or signatures. References: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1.0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html (Module 4: Attack Methods, Lesson 4.2: Attack Techniques)

To isolate the suspicious host that is performing intensive network scanning, the analyst should collect the traffic by most active source IP. This will help to identify the IP address of the host that is generating the most traffic and sending the most packets or bytes. The analyst can then apply filters or queries to analyze the traffic from that source IP and determine the nature and scope of the scanning activity. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 72; [Cisco CyberOps Associate CBROPS 200-201 Official Cert Guide], page 468

 Traffic fragmentation is an evasion technique where an attacker splits malicious payloads into smaller packets. This can help avoid detection since some security systems may not reassemble these packets to inspect the complete payload.

A threat is a possible danger that might exploit a vulnerability to breach the security and cause harm to an asset. An asset is anything of value that needs to be protected, such as data, systems, or networks. A vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in the security that can be exploited by a threat. An exploit is a piece of code or a technique that takes advantage of a vulnerability to compromise the security and perform malicious actions on an asset. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.1: The CIA Triad and Security Concepts, Topic 1.1.3: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Exploits

The CDFS (Compact Disc File System) format is associated with the ISO 9660 standard, which is a file system for optical disc media. It is commonly used in Windows systems for CDs. When a security expert works on an ISO file saved in CDFS format, it typically indicates that the data was prepared or copied using a Windows-based system. This is because CDFS is the file system that Windows uses to read and write CDs, and the ISO file is an image of that CD data1.

References :=

• Understanding CDFS (Compact Disc File System): A Comprehensive Guide2.
• What type of evidence is this file? - VCEguide.com

The improper use or disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) falls under the category of compliance because organizations are required to adhere to laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of PII. This includes following guidelines set forth by privacy laws such as GDPR, HIPAA, and others that mandate the proper handling of personal data to prevent misuse and unauthorized access123.

References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS), Personally identifiable information (PII): What it is, how it’s used, and how to protect it, What is PII? Examples, laws, and standards, Overview of the Privacy Act: 2020 Edition

NIST Special Publication 800-61 r2 outlines the incident response process including detection and analysis, which involves identifying and validating the occurrence of incidents, and post-incident activity that focuses on lessons learned and improvements to be made after an incident has occurred. References := NIST Special Publication 800-61 r2

A threat agent is the entity that is responsible for initiating a threat action that exploits a vulnerability. A threat agent can be a person, a group, an organization, or a system. In this scenario, the threat agent is the foreign government that hacked the defense contractor and stole the intellectual property. The threat agent’s motivation, capability, and resources determine the level of threat they pose to the target. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 1-3; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.1.b

Enabling the “Allow subdissector to reassemble TCP streams” feature in Wireshark allows the tool to reassemble TCP segments into a contiguous sequence, which can be used by higher-level protocols to reconstruct a full message, such as an HTTP request or response. This is particularly useful for extracting files or data transmitted over TCP that are spread across multiple packets1.

References := The explanation is based on the Wireshark documentation, which details how the reassembly feature works and its use in analyzing TCP streams

Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated

User interaction is any event that requires the user to perform an action that enables or facilitates a cyberattack. Opening a malicious file is an example of user interaction, as it can trigger the execution of malicious code or malware that can compromise the system or network. Gaining root access, executing remote code, and reading and writing file permissions are not user interactions, but rather actions that can be performed by an attacker after exploiting a vulnerability or bypassing security controls. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, More than 99% of cyberattacks rely on human interaction

 Event Code 4625 in Windows logs indicates a failed logon attempt. This could be a sign of someone trying to guess the credentials of a valid user account by repeatedly trying different passwords or usernames. This is known as a brute force attack and can be used to gain unauthorized access to a system or network. References: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/security/ise/2-4/admin_guide/b_ise_admin_guide_24/b_ise_admin_guide_24_new_chapter_01110.html

The source IP address from an audit log that indicates a session which may have exploited a vulnerability is considered corroborative evidence. This type of evidence supports other evidence that suggests a security breach occurred. In the context of cybersecurity, corroborative evidence can help establish that an attack was carried out and can be used in conjunction with other data points to build a case during an investigation.

References := The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) training material discusses the types of data needed to investigate security incidents, which includes understanding the role of different types of evidence in building a security incident case1.

 SYN flood and teardrop are two types of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, which aim to disrupt the availability of a service or a system by overwhelming it with malicious traffic or requests. A SYN flood attack exploits the TCP three-way handshake process by sending a large number of SYN packets to the target’s port, without completing the connection. This causes the target to allocate resources for half-open connections, eventually exhausting its memory or bandwidth. A teardrop attack exploits the IP fragmentation process by sending malformed or overlapping IP fragments to the target, causing it to crash or reboot when trying to reassemble them. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.4: Denial-of-Service Attacks

The exhibit shows a network diagram with a switch, a router, and two hosts. The switch has a MAC address table that maps the MAC addresses of the connected devices to the corresponding ports. A MAC flooding attack is a type of attack that aims to overload the switch’s MAC address table by sending a large number of frames with spoofed source MAC addresses. This causes the switch to enter a fail-open mode, where it broadcasts all incoming frames to all ports, effectively turning it into a hub. This allows the attacker to sniff the traffic between the hosts and the router, or launch other attacks such as ARP spoofing or man-in-the-middle

In the context of cybersecurity, an asset is anything that has value to the organization, its business operations and their continuity, including data and physical devices. In the role of attribution in an investigation, which is the process of associating an action or event with a particular individual or entity, certain assets are particularly relevant. A laptop © can be an asset because it may contain data or clues that can help trace the origin of a cyber attack. Similarly, identifying the threat actor (E) is crucial for attribution, as it involves understanding who is behind the attack and their motives, which can be essential for preventing future attacks and for legal proceedings.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)1.

The PCAP file shows a network packet capture of an HTTP GET request from a client to a server. The User-Agent header field identifies the type and version of the client software that generated the request. In this case, the User-Agent is Mozilla/5.0, which indicates that the client is using a Mozilla-based browser or application. The User-Agent can help the server to customize the response based on the client’s capabilities and preferences. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 3: Network Protocols and Services, Lesson 3.2: HTTP and HTTPS, Topic 3.2.1: HTTP Headers.

1of30

Exploitation - The targeted Environment is taken advantage of triggering the threat actor's code

Installation - Backdoor is placed on the victim system allowing the threat actor to maintain the persistence.

Command and Control - An outbound connection is established to an Internet-based controller server.

Actions and Objectives - The threat actor takes actions to violate data integrity and availability

The file in question, which contains logs of unsuccessful login attempts from an unknown IP address, is considered indirect evidence. It suggests that there may have been an attempt to gain unauthorized access, but it does not directly prove who was responsible for the attempts. Indirect evidence can be used to support other evidence that may lead to a direct identification of the threat actor. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) and other Cisco cybersecurity resources provide information on how to analyze and categorize different types of evidence in the context of security incidents.

 In the incident response process, detection and analysis involve researching an attacking host through logs in a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system. This step helps in identifying, validating, and managing potential security incidents. References := Cisco CyberOps Associate - Module 3: Security Monitoring

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyberattack where an attacker intercepts and alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. In this case, the attacker is impersonating mail.google.com and presenting a fake certificate to the endpoint device. The endpoint device detects that the certificate is not issued by a trusted authority and displays an error message. The attacker can then monitor or modify the traffic between the endpoint device and mail.google.com. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, Module 3: Host-Based Analysis, Lesson 3.2: Endpoint Security Technologies
• 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, Exam Topics, 3.0 Host-Based Analysis, 3.2 Compare and contrast the functionality of these endpoint security technologies
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview - Cisco Learning Network, Videos, 3.2 Compare and contrast the functionality of these endpoint security technologies

A false negative occurs when an intrusion detection system (IDS) fails to detect and report actual malicious activity. This means that a legitimate security alert has been dismissed or overlooked, allowing potentially harmful traffic to pass through the network undetected. The impact of false negatives can be significant as they represent missed opportunities to stop or mitigate security threats1.

References := Cisco documentation on security systems, such as IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), discusses the importance of accurately detecting malicious activity and the risks associated with false negatives, which include the failure to trigger alerts for actual attacks1.

Threat intelligence is crucial for organizations to understand the threats they are currently facing. It involves collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information about current or potential attacks that could affect an organization. This intelligence can help organizations prioritize their security measures based on the likelihood and potential impact of different threats. By using threat intelligence, organizations can be more proactive in their defense strategies and respond more effectively to cyber threats.

References: The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course emphasizes the importance of threat intelligence in monitoring security incidents and responding to them

This type of analysis is deterministic because it assigns fixed values to the scenario and calculates the expected outcomes based on those values. Deterministic analysis does not account for uncertainty or randomness in the scenario. References: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1-0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html (Module 3, Lesson 3.1.2)

Host-based firewalls are designed to protect individual workstations from unwanted traffic by filtering incoming and outgoing network communications based on predefined security rules. They can block unauthorized access attempts and prevent potentially harmful traffic from reaching the system.

Session data is the data type that is necessary to get information about source/destination ports. Session data is the information about connections between hosts, such as IP addresses, ports, protocols, and duration. Session data can be used to identify the services and applications that are being used on the network, as well as the direction and volume of the traffic. Session data can also help to detect anomalous or malicious behavior, such as port scanning, brute force attacks, or data exfiltration. Session data can be collected from various sources, such as firewalls, routers, switches, or network monitoring tools. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.2: Data Sources, Topic 2.2.2: Session Data (https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1-0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html)
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Certification Guide, Chapter 3: Data Sources, Section 3.2: Session Data (https://www.ciscopress.com/store/cisco-certified-cyberops-associate-certification-guide-9780136807834)

What Are Ports 139 And 445? SMB has always been a network file sharing protocol. As such, SMB requires network ports on a computer or server to enable communication to other systems. SMB uses either IP port 139 or 445. Port 139 - SMB originally ran on top of NetBIOS using port 139. NetBIOS is an older transport layer that allows Windows computers to talk to each other on the same network. Port 445 - Later versions of SMB (after Windows 2000) began to use port 445 on top of a TCP stack. Using TCP allows SMB to work over the internet. https://www.varonis.com/blog/smb-port SMB Ports 139 and 445 are open Email Ports 25 and 110 are closed Therefore "D. Email Ports are closed on the Server."

 Deep packet inspection (DPI) and stateful inspection are two techniques that are used by firewalls and other network security devices to inspect and filter network traffic. Stateful inspection allows visibility on Layer 4 (transport layer) of the OSI model, which means it can track the state of TCP or UDP connections and filter packets based on source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols. Deep packet inspection allows visibility on Layer 7 (application layer) of the OSI model, which means it can inspect the contents and payloads of packets and filter packets based on application-specific criteria, such as signatures, keywords, URLs, or behaviors. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.2: Network Security Monitoring Tools
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview, Exam Topics, 2.2 Describe the impact of network security monitoring tools on data privacy

The purpose of command and control (C&C) for network-aware malware is to allow an attacker to remotely control compromised systems. This includes sending commands to the malware, receiving data from the infected host, and updating the malware to evade detection or enhance its capabilities.

References: The CBROPS course materials cover the topic of network-aware malware and the role of command and control servers in managing such malware

NetFlow provides a more efficient way of recording and analyzing network traffic patterns over an extended period of time compared to syslog messages, full packet capture, or firewall event logs. It collects metadata about traffic flows traversing the network devices which can be used for understanding normal baseline behavior as well as identifying anomalies. References := Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview

The exhibit shows a UNIX command being used to filter data from an Apache access log file. The use of “cat” to display the content of the log file, “grep” to filter specific IP addresses, and “cut” to organize the output are all indicative of operations performed on a UNIX-based system. Additionally, the structure of the logs (GET requests) aligns with the format typically found in Apache server logs. References := The Cisco Cybersecurity source documents or study guide are not directly referenced here as I need to search for specific content related to this question.

A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. In this scenario, an attacker can observe network traffic exchanged between two users by placing themselves in between their communication channel. References := Cisco Blogs - New Cybersecurity and Cloud Skills to Protect Companies from Cybersecurity Attacks of the Future

The operation described is characteristic of the fork() system call in Linux, which is used to create a new process. The fork() system call generates a new process by duplicating the calling (parent) process. If the fork() is successful, the PID of the child process is returned to the parent process, and a 0 value is returned to the child process. If unsuccessful, a negative value is returned2.

References :=

• How to create a process in Linux? - Online Tutorials Library

SQL injection is a type of vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute malicious SQL statements on a database server. This can result in reading, writing, or erasing information from the database, as well as bypassing authentication, executing commands, or compromising the server. SQL injection exploits the lack of input validation or output encoding in web applications that interact with databases. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.2: Web Application Attacks

 Vulnerability management is a proactive approach to securing systems by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. It involves scanning systems for known weaknesses, prioritizing and assessing the risks of those vulnerabilities, and applying patches or other remediation measures to mitigate them. Vulnerability management helps reduce the attack surface and prevent potential breaches. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 11.

Port scanning is a technique that an attacker uses to discover which network ports are open, closed, or filtered on a target device. By sending packets to different ports and observing the responses, an attacker can identify the services and applications running on the device, as well as potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Port scanning is a common reconnaissance activity that precedes an attack. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 2-6; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.1.a

Transaction data consists of connection level, application-specific records generated from network traffic. It provides information about the source, destination, protocol, and application of each network connection. Transaction data can be used to identify anomalies, malicious activities, and user behaviors on the network. References := Cisco CyberOps Engineer

A close-up of several blue rectangular boxes Description automatically generated

 The category of the Cyber Kill Chain model that this event belongs to is weaponization. This stage occurs after reconnaissance has taken place and the attacker has discovered all necessary information about potential targets, such as vulnerabilities. In the weaponization stage, the attacker’s preparatory work culminates in the creation of malware to be used against an identified target, which in this case is a specific worm tailored to exploit a software flaw and extract saved passwords. References: The Cyber Kill Chain framework, developed by Lockheed Martin, explains the weaponization stage as the process where attackers create or modify cyber weapons based on the intelligence gathered during reconnaissance

The screenshot shows multiple POP requests with the command PASS, which is typically used for password entry. The rapid succession and variation of these requests suggest an attempt to guess the password, characteristic of a brute-force attack. Remember, always verify with additional data or context when possible, as packet captures can contain vast amounts of information and may require thorough analysis for accurate interpretation.

 In the context of Linux systems, each active program is tracked using a process identification number (PID). The PID is a unique number that the system uses to refer to a specific process, which is an instance of an executed program. This allows the system and the SOC analyst to monitor and manage different processes, including those initiated by users, the system itself, or by applications.

References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) training material provides insights into how a Security Operations Center (SOC) operates and the tools and data used by analysts to monitor and investigate security incidents, including the tracking of active programs on system

Packet number 2318 is the one that contains a file that is extractable within Wireshark. This can be determined by the information provided in the packet details, which typically includes an HTTP GET request indicating the retrieval of a file, such as an image or document1.

Integrity is a metric in CVSS that measures the impact of a vulnerability on the trustworthiness and veracity of the data or information in a system. A vulnerability that affects the integrity of a system can allow an attacker to modify, delete, or corrupt the data or information without authorization. An example of such a vulnerability is a bank account number tampering attack, where an attacker changes the destination bank account number of a transaction to redirect the funds to their own account. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 2-17; 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, exam topic 1.3.c

 IP data stands for Intellectual Property data, which is any data that represents the creations of the mind, such as inventions, patents, designs, or artistic works. IP data is protected by law and has commercial value for its owners. In this case, the automotive company has a database of IP data for their engines and technical information, which customers can access after they register and identify themselves. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.2: Data Protection, Topic 1.2.1: Data Types

In the NetFlow flow-record format, a dataflow set is a collection of data records that follow the template FlowSet in an export packet. Each data record corresponds to a flow and contains values for the fields defined in the template FlowSet. This allows for efficient organization and retrieval of flow information by NetFlow collectors.

References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)
• NetFlow Version 9 Flow-Record Format Documentation

 Tap and SPAN are two methods of capturing network traffic for analysis. Tap (Test Access Point) is a hardware device that is inserted between two network devices and sends a copy of all traffic to a monitoring device. SPAN (Switched Port Analyzer) is a software feature that allows a network switch to replicate traffic from one or more source ports to a destination port, where a monitoring device is connected. Both methods provide visibility into network traffic, but Tap is more reliable and less intrusive than SPAN, as it does not affect the network performance or introduce errors. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 68.

 According to the NIST Incident Handling Guide, the analysis phase is the next phase of this investigation. The analysis phase involves examining the evidence and determining the impact, scope, and cause of the incident. The analyst should also identify the attacker’s methods, tools, and objectives, as well as any indicators of compromise or malicious activity. The analysis phase may also involve collecting additional data, such as logs, network traffic, or malware samples, to support the investigation. The analysis phase is crucial for developing an effective response and recovery strategy, as well as preventing or mitigating future incidents. References:

• NIST Special Publication 800-61 Revision 2, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide, Section 3.2.4, Analysis (https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-61r2.pdf)
• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 5: Security Incident Response, Lesson 5.2: Incident Response Process, Topic 5.2.3: Analysis Phase (https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1-0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html)

Symmetric encryption is a type of encryption that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. Asymmetric encryption is a type of encryption that uses a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key can be used to encrypt data, but only the private key can decrypt it, and vice versa. An advantage of symmetric encryption over asymmetric encryption is that it is faster and more efficient for encrypting large amounts of data, such as in sessions or bulk transfers. Asymmetric encryption is slower and more computationally intensive, but it is more secure and suitable for key exchange or digital signatures. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 2: Security Monitoring, Lesson 2.3: Cryptography and PKI, Topic 2.3.1: Cryptography

 TOR, or The Onion Router, is designed to conceal a user’s location and usage from anyone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis. Using TOR makes it more difficult to trace internet activity, including “visits to Web sites, online posts, instant messages, and other communication forms,” back to the user1. It is intended to protect the personal privacy of users, as well as their freedom and ability to conduct confidential communication by keeping their internet activities unmonitored. Within an organization, the use of TOR can decrease visibility into data traffic because it encrypts the data multiple times and routes it through a series of servers operated by volunteers around the globe. This makes network monitoring and data visibility challenging for cybersecurity professionals within the organization. References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

 DNS amplification is a type of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack where an attacker uses publicly accessible open DNS servers to flood a target with DNS response traffic. The goal is to overwhelm the target with traffic, causing a denial of service.

 In the context of phishing emails, the threat actor is the entity that is responsible for initiating the threat, which in this case is the sender of the phishing emails. The sender is impersonating the HR department to deceive the receiver into believing that the emails are legitimate

Inline traffic interrogation analyzes traffic in real time and has the ability to prevent certain traffic from being forwarded Traffic mirroring doesn't pass the live traffic instead it copies traffic from one or more source ports and sends the copied traffic to one or more destinations for analysis by a network analyzer or other monitoring device

The exhibit shows a log of HTTP GET requests, one of which includes a suspicious string that is indicative of a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack. XSS attacks involve injecting malicious scripts into webpages viewed by other users. These scripts can be used to steal information, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of the user without their consent. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.3: Common Network Application Operations and Attacks, Topic 1.3.2: Web Application Attacks

Social engineering attacks involve manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. The fake offer for a free music download is a classic example of social engineering, where attackers lure users with a tempting offer to trick them into providing personal information or downloading malware.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

 In the context of a cybersecurity breach, attribution involves identifying the responsible party. Since the external USB device was not found, the focus shifts to the actions performed by the receptionist. Analyzing these actions can provide insights into how the breach occurred and may help in attributing the incident to the threat actor

References := Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate 200-201 Certification Guide