212-82 Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT) Questions and Answers

/var/log/wtmp is the Linux log file accessed by Gideon in this scenario. /var/log/wtmp is a log file that records information related to user login/logout, such as username, terminal, IP address, and login time. /var/log/wtmp can be used to determine the current login state of users in a Linux system. /var/log/wtmp can be viewed using commands such as last, lastb, or utmpdump1.

References: Linux Log Files

SQL Injection Basics:

SQL injection is a code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in an application's software by inserting malicious SQL statements into an input field for execution.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the type of short-range wireless communication technology that the billing executive has used in the above scenario. RFID uses radio-frequency electromagnetic waves to transfer data for automatic identification and for tracking tags attached to objects . RFID tags are machine-readable tags that store information about the products, such as name, price, expiry date, etc. RFID readers are readable machines that scan the RFID tags and display the product details on the computer . RFID technology is widely used in supermarkets, warehouses, libraries, and other places where inventory management and tracking are required . 

Group-based account is the type of account created by Giovanni in this scenario. An account is a set of credentials, such as a username and a password, that allows a user to access a system or network. An account can have different types based on its purpose or usage. A group-based account is a type of account that allows multiple users to access a system or network with the same credentials and permissions. A group-based account can be used to simplify the management of users and resources by assigning them to groups based on their roles or functions. In the scenario, Giovanni was tasked with configuring permissions for employees working on a new project. His organization used active directories (ADs) to grant/deny permissions to resources. Giovanni created a folder for AD users with the required permissions and added all employees working on the new project in it. This means that he created a group-based account for those employees. A third-party account is a type of account that allows an external entity or service to access a system or network with limited permissions or scope. Ashared account is a type of account that allows multiple users to access a system or network with the same credentials but different permissions. An application account is a type of account that allows an application or software to access a system or network with specific permissions or functions.

Attorney is the role played by Dany in the above scenario. Attorney is a member of a forensic team who provides legal advice on conducting the investigation and addresses legal issues involved in the forensic investigation process. Attorney can help with obtaining search warrants, preserving evidence, complying with laws and regulations, and presenting cases in court3. References: Attorney Role in Forensic Investigation

 Quid pro quo is the social engineering technique that Johnson employed in the above scenario. Quid pro quo is a social engineering method that involves offering a service or a benefit in exchange for information or access. Quid pro quo can be used to trick victims into believing that they are receiving help or assistance from a legitimate source, while in fact they are compromising their security or privacy. In the scenario, Johnson performed quid pro quo by claiming himself to represent a technical support team from a vendor and offering to help sibertech.org with a server issue, while in fact he prompted the victim to execute unusual commands and install malicious files, which were then used to collect and pass critical information to Johnson’s machine. If you want to learn more about social engineering techniques, you can check out these resources:

[1] A guide to different types of social engineering attacks and how to prevent them: [https://www.csoonline.com/article/2124681/what-is-social-engineering.html]

[2] A video that explains how quid pro quo works and how to avoid falling for it: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yy0gZ9xw8g]

[3] A quiz that tests your knowledge of social engineering techniques and scenarios: [https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=social-engineering-quiz]

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a widely adopted access control model suitable for environments where permissions need to be aligned with job roles. Here’s why RBAC is the best choice for ProNet:

Definition: RBAC assigns permissions to roles rather than individuals. Users are then assigned to these roles.

Efficiency: Reduces administrative overhead by allowing permissions to be managed at the role level.

Scalability: Suitable for large organizations as roles can be easily modified to reflect changes in job functions.

Security: Ensures that users have only the necessary permissions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Implementation:

Define Roles: Identify the various roles within the organization (e.g., Admin, Developer, HR).

Assign Permissions: Map the necessary permissions to each role.

User Assignment: Assign users to appropriate roles based on their job functions.

References:

NIST RBAC model:Link

SANS Institute on RBAC: Link

Definition of Evil Twin Attack:

An Evil Twin Attack involves setting up a rogue access point that mimics a legitimate Wi-Fi network. Unsuspecting users connect to this rogue AP, allowing the attacker to intercept and capture network traffic.

GDPR Overview:

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union that sets out requirements for companies and organizations on collecting, storing, and managing personal data.

Black-box testing is a type of penetration testing where the tester has no prior knowledge of the target system or network and initiates zero-knowledge attacks, with no information or assistance from the organization. Black-box testing simulates the perspective of an external attacker who tries to find and exploit vulnerabilities without any insider information. Black-box testing can help identify unknown or hidden vulnerabilities that may not be detected by other types of testing. However, black-box testing can also be time-consuming, costly, and incomplete, as it depends on the tester’s skills and tools.

 A data-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that employs existing data collected from various sources, such as DNS and proxy logs, to generate and test hypotheses about potential threats. This method relies on data analysis and machine learning techniques to identify patterns and anomalies that indicate malicious activity. A data-driven hunting method can help discover unknown or emerging threats that may evade traditional detection methods. An entity-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that focuses on specific entities, such as users, devices, or domains, that are suspected or known to be involved in malicious activity. A TTP-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that leverages threat intelligence and knowledge of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to formulate and test hypotheses about potential threats. A hybrid hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that combines different approaches, such as data-driven, entity-driven, and TTP-driven methods, to achieve more comprehensive and effective results. 

Mitigating security risks associated with OS virtualization involves a comprehensive approach. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Implement Least Privilege Access Control for Users Managing VMs:

Limit access to only those users who need it.

Ensure that users have only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks.

Regularly Patch and Update the Hypervisor Software for Security Fixes:

Keep the hypervisor and virtualization software up-to-date to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Regular patching minimizes the risk of exploitation.

Disable Security Features on Virtual Machines to Improve Performance:

Note: This is actually a security risk. The correct approach is toenable and configure security featuresto protect VMs, despite the potential minor impact on performance.

Comprehensive Approach:

A holistic security strategy includes enforcing least privilege, maintaining updated systems, and enabling security features on VMs to protect against a wide range of threats.

References:

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) materials.

Best practices for virtualization security from NIST and other cybersecurity frameworks.

Data in transit is the state of data being processed between the e-commerce website and payment gateway in the above scenario. Data in transit is the data that is moving from one location to another over a network, such as the internet. Data in transit can be vulnerable to interception, modification, or theft by unauthorized parties. Therefore, data in transit should be protected using encryption, authentication, and secure protocols2. References: Data in Transit

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a short-range wireless communication technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects. RFID tags are attached to objects and RFID readers scan the tags to obtain the information stored in them. RFID is commonly used for access control, inventory management, and identification3. References: What is RFID?

 Risk and impact analysis is the threat-modeling step in which Martin evaluated the severity level of the threat in the above scenario. Threat modeling is a process that involves identifying, analyzing, and mitigating threats and risks to a system or network. Threat modeling can be used to improve the security and resilience of a system or network by applying various methods or techniques, such as STRIDE, DREAD, PASTA, etc. Threat modeling consists of various steps or phases that perform different tasks or roles. Risk and impact analysis is a threat-modeling step that involves assessing the likelihood and consequences of threats and risks to a system or network . Risk and impact analysis can be used to evaluate the severity level of threats and risks and prioritize them for mitigation . In the scenario, Martin received breaching alerts for an application. He identified that a vulnerability in the application allowed attackers to enter malicious input. Martin evaluated the threat severity and extent of damage that could be caused by this vulnerability. He then escalated the issue to the security management team to determine appropriate mitigation strategies. This means that he performed risk and impact analysis for this purpose. Identify vulnerabilities is a threat-modeling step that involves finding and documenting the weaknesses or flaws in a system or network that can be exploited by threats or risks . Application overview is a threat-modeling step that involves defining and understanding the scope, architecture, components, and functionality of a system or network .Decompose the application is a threat-modeling step that involves breaking down a system or network into smaller and simpler elements, such as data flows, processes, assets, etc.

To address the issue of the AI-based fraud detection system flagging genuine transactions as fraudulent due to data poisoning, the primary focus should be on:

Retraining the AI Model:

Verified Data: Use only verified, clean transaction data to retrain the model. This helps to eliminate any compromised data that might be skewing the AI's decision-making process.

Model Integrity: Ensure the integrity of the training data to prevent future data poisoning attempts.

Real-Time Monitoring:

Detection Systems: Implement real-time monitoring to detect any attempts at data poisoning as they happen. This involves setting up alerts for abnormal patterns that could indicate malicious activity.

Continuous Learning: Integrate continuous learning systems that can adapt and respond to new threats in real-time, ensuring the AI system remains robust against evolving attack vectors.

References:

NIST guidelines on AI and data integrity:NIST AI

Research on data poisoning and mitigation techniques:IEEE Xplore

WPA3 encryption is the type of wireless encryption used by the security solution employed by Matias in the above scenario. WPA3 encryption is the latest and most secure version of Wi-FiProtected Access, a protocol that provides authentication and encryption for wireless networks. WPA3 encryption uses 256-bit Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP-256) to maintain the authenticity and confidentiality of data. WPA3 encryption also provides enhanced protection against offline dictionary attacks, forward secrecy, and secure public Wi-Fi access . WPA2 encryption is the previous version of Wi-Fi Protected Access, which uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for data encryption. WEP encryption is an outdated and insecure version of Wi-Fi security, which uses RC4 stream cipher for data encryption. WPA encryption is an intermediate version of Wi-Fi security, which uses TKIP for data encryption.

3 is the number of files present in the folder in the above scenario. A RAT (Remote Access Trojan) is a type of malware that allows an attacker to remotely access and control a compromised system or network. A RAT can be used to steal sensitive data, spy on user activity, execute commands, install other malware, etc. To initiate a remote connection using thief client, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the thief folder located at Z:\CCT-Tools\CCT Module 01 Information Security Threats and Vulnerabilities\Remote Access Trojans (RAT)\Thief of Attacker Machine-1.

Double-click on thief.exe file to launch thief client.

Enter 20.20.10.26 as IP address of server.

Enter 1234 as port number.

Click on Connect button.

After establishing connection with server, click on Browse button.

Navigate to Desktop folder on server.

Count number of files present in folder.

The number of files present in folder is 3, which are:

Sensitive corporate docs.docx

Sensitive corporate docs.pdf

Sensitive corporate docs.txt

Hardware-assisted virtualization is a virtualization approach in which the guest OS will not be aware that it is running in a virtualized environment. The virtual machine manager (VMM) willdirectly interact with the computer hardware, translate commands to binary instructions, and forward them to the host OS. Hardware-assisted virtualization relies on special hardware features in the CPU and chipset to create and manage virtual machines efficiently and securely34. Full virtualization is a virtualization approach in which the guest OS will not be aware that it is running in a virtualized environment, but the VMM will run in software and emulate all the hardware resources for each virtual machine5. Hybrid virtualization is a virtualization approach that combines hardware-assisted and full virtualization techniques to optimize performance and compatibility6. OS-assisted virtualization is a virtualization approach in which the guest OS will be modified to run in a virtualized environment and cooperate with the VMM to access the hardware resources

The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is the security control implemented by Hayes in the above scenario. RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) are devices that control and monitor industrial processes, such as power generation, water treatment, oil and gas production, etc. RTU and PLC commands are instructions that are sent from a master station to a slave station to perform certain actions or request certain data. The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is a security control that fortifies the IDMZ (Industrial Demilitarized Zone) against cyber-attacks by ensuring that only valid and authenticated commands are executed by the RTU and PLC devices. Point-to-point communication is a communication method that establishes a direct connection between two endpoints. MAC authentication is an authentication method that verifies the MAC (Media Access Control) address of a device before granting access to a network. Anti-DoS solution is asecurity solution that protects a network from DoS (Denial-of-Service) attacks by filtering or blocking malicious traffic.

 hat@red is the FTP credential that was stolen using Cain and Abel in the above scenario. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol that allows transferring files between a client and a server over a network. FTP requires a username and a password to authenticate the client and grant access to the server . Cain and Abel is a tool that can perform various network attacks, such as ARP poisoning, password cracking, sniffing, etc. Cain and Abel can poison the machine and fetch the FTP credentials used by the admin by intercepting and analyzing the network traffic . To validate the credentials that were stolen using Cain and Abel and read the file flag.txt, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the Documents folder of Attacker-1 machine.

Double-click on Cain.exe file to launch Cain and Abel tool.

Click on Sniffer tab.

Click on Start/Stop Sniffer icon.

Click on Configure icon.

Select the network adapter and click on OK button.

Click on + icon to add hosts to scan.

Select All hosts in my subnet option and click on OK button.

Wait for the hosts to appear in the list.

Right-click on 20.20.10.26 (FTP server) and select Resolve Host Name option.

Note down the host name as ftpserver.movieabc.com

Click on Passwords tab.

Click on + icon to add items to list.

Select Network Passwords option.

Select FTP option from Protocol drop-down list.

Click on OK button.

Wait for the FTP credentials to appear in the list.

Note down the username as hat and the password as red

Open a web browser and type ftp://hat:red@ftpserver.movieabc.com

Press Enter key to access the FTP server using the stolen credentials.

Navigate to flag.txt file and open it.

Read the file content.

High-Interaction Honeypots:

High-interaction honeypots simulate real systems, offering attackers a full operating environment to interact with, thereby providing detailed insights into their methods and techniques.

Capture is the Wireshark menu that Leilani has navigated in the above scenario. Wireshark is a network analysis tool that captures and displays network traffic in real-time or from saved files. Wireshark has various menus that contain different items and options for manipulating, displaying, and analyzing network data. Capture is the Wireshark menu that contains items to start, stop, restart, or save a live capture of network traffic. Capture also contains items to configure capture filters, interfaces, options, and preferences . Statistics is the Wireshark menu that contains items to display various statistics and graphs of network traffic, such as packet lengths, protocols, endpoints, conversations, etc. Main toolbar is the Wireshark toolbar that contains icons for quick access to common functions, such as opening or saving files, starting or stopping a capture, applying display filters, etc. Analyze is the Wireshark menu that contains items to manipulate, display and apply filters, enable or disable the dissection of protocols, and configure user-specified decodes.

The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is the security control implemented by Hayes in the above scenario. RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) are devices that control and monitor industrial processes, such as power generation, water treatment, oil and gas production, etc. RTU and PLC commands are instructions that are sent from a master station to a slave station to perform certain actions or request certain data. The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is a security control that fortifies the IDMZ (Industrial Demilitarized Zone) against cyber-attacks by ensuring that only valid and authenticated commands are executed by the RTU and PLC devices. Point-to-point communication is a communication method that establishes a direct connection between two endpoints. MAC authentication is an authentication method that verifies the MAC (Media Access Control) address of a device before granting access to a network. Anti-DoS solution is asecurity solution that protects a network from DoS (Denial-of-Service) attacks by filtering or blocking malicious traffic.

The correct answer is C, as it identifies the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS is a set of standards that aims to protect cardholder data and ensure secure payment transactions. PCI-DSS has 12 requirements that cover various aspects of security such as network configuration, data encryption, access control, vulnerability management, monitoring, and testing. PCI-DSS requirement no 5.1 states that “Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs”. In the above scenario, Myles followed this requirement by installing antivirus software on each laptop to detect and protect the machines from external malicious events over the Internet. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.2 states that “Do not allow unauthorized outbound traffic from the cardholder data environment to the Internet”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of outbound traffic or cardholder data environment. Option B is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.5 states that “Restrict inbound and outboundtraffic to that which is necessary for the cardholder data environment”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of inbound or outbound traffic or cardholder data environment. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.1 states that “Implement a firewall configuration that restricts connections between publicly accessible servers and any system component storing cardholder data”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of firewall configuration or publicly accessible servers or system components storing cardholder data.

References: Section 5.2

A low-interaction honeypot is a type of honeypot that simulates a real OS as well as the applications and services of a target network, but only responds to pre-configured commands. It is designed to capture basic information about the attacker, such as their IP address, tools, and techniques. A low-interaction honeypot is easier to deploy and maintain than a high-interaction honeypot, which fully emulates a real system and allows the attacker to interact with it. A pure honeypot is a real system that is intentionally vulnerable and exposed to attackers. A medium-interaction honeypot is a type of honeypot that offers more functionality and interactivity than a low-interaction honeypot, but less than a high-interaction honeypot.

Technical threat intelligence is a type of threat intelligence that provides information about the technical details of specific attacks, such as indicators of compromise (IOCs), malware signatures, attack vectors, and vulnerabilities. Technical threat intelligence helps the NOC team understand how attackers are expected to perform an attack on the organization, identify the information leakage, and determine the attack goals as well as attack vectors. Technical threat intelligence is often consumed by security analysts, incident responders, and penetration testers who need to analyze and respond to active or potential threats. 

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the type of short-range wireless communication technology that the billing executive has used in the above scenario. RFID uses radio-frequency electromagnetic waves to transfer data for automatic identification and for tracking tags attached to objects . RFID tags are machine-readable tags that store information about the products, such as name, price, expiry date, etc. RFID readers are readable machines that scan the RFID tags and display the product details on the computer . RFID technology is widely used in supermarkets, warehouses, libraries, and other places where inventory management and tracking are required . 

Private cloud is the type of cloud deployment model that the company implemented in this scenario. Cloud computing is a model that provides on-demand access to shared and scalable computing resources, such as servers, storage, networks, applications, etc., over the internet or a network. Cloud computing can have different types based on its service or deployment model. A cloud deployment model defines how and where the cloud infrastructure and services are hosted and accessed . A cloud deployment model can have different types, such as public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, community cloud, etc. A private cloud is a type of cloud deployment model that provides exclusive access to cloud infrastructure and services to a single organization or entity . A private cloud can be hosted within or outside the organization’s premises and managed by the organization or a third-party provider . A private cloud can be used to secure sensitive data from external access and maintain full control over the corporate data . In the scenario, the company decided to implement the cloud infrastructure within its corporate firewall to secure sensitive data from external access. The company invested heavily in creating a cloud architecture within its premises to manage full control over its corporate data. This means that the company implemented a private cloud for this purpose. A multi-cloud is not a type of cloud deployment model, but a term that describes a strategy that uses multiple public or private clouds from different providers for different purposesor functions . A public cloud is a type of cloud deployment model that provides open access to cloud infrastructure and services to multiple organizations or entities over the internet . A public cloud can be hosted and managed by a third-party provider that owns and operates the cloud infrastructure and services . A community cloud is a type of cloud deployment model that provides shared access to cloud infrastructure and services to multiple organizations or entities that have common interests or goals

 Type = 12 is the type of ICMP error message received by Jaden in the above scenario. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a protocol that sends error and control messages between network devices. ICMP error messages are categorized by types and codes, which indicate the cause and nature of the error. Type = 12 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates an IP parameter problem, which means that the IP header field contains invalid information . Type = 8 is the type of ICMP message that indicates an echo request, which is used to test the connectivity and reachability of a destination host. Type = 5 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates a redirect, which means that a better route to the destination host is available. Type = 3 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates a destination unreachable, which means that the destination host or network cannot be reached. 

The correct answer is B, as it identifies the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. A guest account is a type of account that allows temporary or limited access to a system or network for visitors or users who do not belong to the organization. A guest account typically has minimal privileges and permissions and can only access certain files or applications. In the above scenario, the organization has given Sam a guest account for the demonstration. Using this account, Sam can only access the files that are required for the demonstration and cannot open any other file in the system. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. A service account is a type of account that allows applications or services to run on a system or network under a specific identity. A service account typically has high privileges and permissions and can access various files or applications. In the above scenario, the organization has not given Sam a service account for the demonstration. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. A user account is a type of account that allows regular access to a system or network for employees or members of an organization. A user account typically has moderate privileges and permissions and can access various files or applications depending on their role. In the above scenario, the organization has not given Sam a user account for thedemonstration. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. An administrator account is a type of account that allows full access to a system or network for administrators or managers of an organization. An administrator account typically has the highest privileges and permissions and can access and modify any files or applications. In the above scenario, the organization has not given Sam an administrator account for the demonstration.

References: , Section 4.1

Weaponization is the stage of the cyber kill chain that you are at in the above scenario. The cyber kill chain is a model that describes the phases of a cyberattack from the perspective of the attacker. The cyber kill chain consists of seven stages: reconnaissance, weaponization,delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives. Reconnaissance is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves gathering information about the target, such as IP addresses, domain names, vulnerabilities, etc. Weaponization is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves creating a malicious payload or tool that can exploit the target’s vulnerabilities. Weaponization can include creating a client-side backdoor to send it to the employees via email. Delivery is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves transmitting or delivering the weaponized payload or tool to the target’s system or network. Exploitation is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves executing or triggering the weaponized payload or tool on the target’s system or network. 

 /var/log/boot.log is the Linux log file accessed by Nancy in the above scenario. Linux is an open-source operating system that logs various events and activities on the system or network. Linux log files are stored in the /var/log directory, which contains different types of log files for different purposes. /var/log/boot.log is the type of log file that records events related to the booting process of the Linux system, such as loading drivers, services, modules, etc. /var/log/boot.log can help identify issues related to unexpected shutdowns and restarts on a Linux machine . /var/log/secure is the type of log file that records events related to security and authentication, such as logins, logouts, password changes, sudo commands, etc. /var/log/kern.log is the type of log file that records events related to the kernel, such as kernel messages, errors, warnings, etc. /var/log/lighttpd/ is the directory that contains log files related to the lighttpd web server, such as access logs, error logs, etc. 

 It identifies the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A physical lock is a device that prevents unauthorized access to a door, gate, cabinet, or other enclosure by using a mechanism that requires a key, code, or biometric factor to open or close it. There are different types of physical locks, such as:

Combination lock: This type of lock requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. This type of lock is suitable for securing safes, lockers, or cabinets that store valuable items or documents.

Digital lock: This type of lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require frequent access or multiple users.

Mechanical lock: This type of lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require simple and reliable access or single users.

Electromagnetic lock: This type of lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require remote control or integration with other security systems.

In the above scenario, the organization used a combination lock that requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A digital lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a digital lock, but a combination lock. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A mechanical lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a mechanical lock, but a combination lock. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. An electromagnetic lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. In the above scenario, the organization did not use an electromagnetic lock, but a combination lock. References: , Section 7.2

Isolation of VMs:

OS virtualization provides isolation between virtual machines (VMs). Each VM operates independently with its own operating system and resources. This isolation ensures that a security breach in one VM does not affect other VMs on the same physical host.

PCI-DSS requirement no 5.3 is the PCI-DSS requirement that is demonstrated in this scenario. PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of standards that applies to entities that store, process, or transmit payment card information, such as merchants, service providers, or payment processors. PCI-DSS requires them to protect cardholder data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. PCI-DSS consists of 12 requirements that are grouped into six categories: build and maintain a secure network and systems, protect cardholder data, maintain a vulnerability management program, implement strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test networks, and maintain an information security policy. PCI-DSS requirement no 5.3 is part of the category “maintain a vulnerability management program” and states that antivirus mechanisms must be actively running and cannot be disabled or altered by users, unless specifically authorized by management on a case-by-case basis for a limited time period. In the scenario, Ayden works from home on his company’s laptop. During working hours, he received an antivirus software update notification on his laptop. Ayden clicked on the update button; however, the system restricted the update and displayed a message stating that the update could only be performed by authorized personnel. This means that his company’s laptop has an antivirus mechanism that is actively running and cannot be disabled or altered by users, which demonstrates PCI-DSS requirement no 5.3.

Decoding the Text File:

Use cryptographic tools located atZ:\CCT-Tools\CCT Module 14 Cryptographyto decode the text filesnitch.txtfound in the Downloads folder. The provided passwordsniffer@123will be used if required.

Content-based signature analysis is the attack signature analysis technique employed by Finley in this scenario. Content-based signature analysis is a technique that captures and analyzes a single network packet to determine whether the signature included malicious patterns. Content-based signature analysis can be used to detect known attacks, such as buffer overflows, SQL injections, or cross-site scripting2.

References: Content-Based Signature Analysis

Fire extinguisher is the firefighting system that Calvin used in this scenario. A firefighting system is a system that detects and suppresses fire in a physical location or environment. A firefighting system can consist of various components, such as sensors, alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, etc. A firefighting system can use various agents or substances to suppress fire, such as water, foam, gas, powder, etc. A fire extinguisher is a portable device that contains an agent or substance that can be sprayed or discharged onto a fire to extinguish it . A fire extinguisher can be used to curb fire in the initial stage and prevent it from spreading over a large area . In the scenario, Calvin spotted blazing flames originating from a physical file storage location in his organization because of a short circuit. In response to the incident, he used a fire suppression system that helped curb the incident in the initial stage and prevented it from spreading over a large area. This means that he used a fire extinguisher for this purpose. A fire detection system is a system that detects the presence of fire by sensing its characteristics, such as smoke, heat, flame, etc., and alerts the occupants or authorities about it . A sprinkler system is a system that consists of pipes and sprinkler heads that release water onto a fire when activated by heat or smoke. A smoke detector is a device that senses smoke and emits an audible or visual signal to warn about fire.

A cloud auditor is a role played by Walker in the above scenario. A cloud auditor is a third party who examines controls of cloud computing service providers. Cloud auditor performs an audit to verify compliance with the standards and expressed his opinion through a report89. A cloud provider is an entity that provides cloud services, such as infrastructure, platform, or software, to cloud consumers10. A cloud carrier is an entity that provides connectivity and transport of cloud services between cloud providers and cloud consumers10. A cloud consumer is an entity that uses cloud services for its own purposes or on behalf of another entity

Temp_High is the command that was sent by the IoT device over the network in the above scenario. An IoT (Internet of Things) device is a device that can connect to the internet and communicate with other devices or systems over a network. An IoT device can send or receive commands or data for various purposes, such as monitoring, controlling, or automating processes. To analyze the IoT device traffic file and determine the command that was sent by the IoT device over the network, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the Documents folder of Attacker-1 machine.

Double-click on loTdeviceTraffic.pcapng file to open it with Wireshark.

Click on Analyze menu and select Display Filters option.

Enter udp.port == 5000 as filter expression and click on Apply button.

Observe the packets filtered by the expression.

Click on packet number 4 and expand User Datagram Protocol section in packet details pane.

Observe the data field under User Datagram Protocol section.

The data field under User Datagram Protocol section is 54:65:6d:70:5f:48:69:67:68 , which is hexadecimal representation of Temp_High , which is the command that was sent by the IoT device over the network. 

5.9.188.148 is the IP address linked with http://securityabc.s21sec.com in the above scenario. A threat intelligence feed is a source of data that provides information about current or potential threats and attacks that can affect an organization’s network or system. A threat intelligence feed can include indicators of compromise (IoCs), such as IP addresses, domain names, URLs, hashes, etc., that can be used to detect or prevent malicious activities. To analyze the threat intelligence feed data file and determine the IP address linked with http://securityabc.s21sec.com, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the Documents folder of Attacker-1 machine.

Open Threatfeed.txt file with a text editor.

Search for http://securityabc.s21sec.com in the file.

Observe the IP address associated with the URL.

The IP address associated with the URL is 5.9.188.148, which is the IP address linked with http://securityabc.s21sec.com. 

Content-based signature analysis is the type of attack signature analysis performed by Anderson in the above scenario. Content-based signature analysis is a technique that analyzes packet header fields such as IP options, IP protocols, IP fragmentation flags, offset, and identification to check whether any fields are altered in transit. Content-based signature analysis can help detect attacks that manipulate packet headers to evade detection or exploit vulnerabilities . Context-based signature analysis is a technique that analyzes packet payloads such as application data or commands to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. Atomic-signature-based analysis is a technique that analyzes individual packets to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. Composite-signature-based analysis is a technique that analyzes multiple packets or sessions to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. 

20.20.10.19 is the source IP address of the SYN flooding attack in the above scenario. SYN flooding is a type of denial-of-service (DoS) attack that exploits the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) three-way handshake process to disrupt the network and gain advantage over the network to bypass the firewall. SYN flooding sends a large number of SYN packets with spoofed source IP addresses to a target server, causing it to allocate resources and wait for the corresponding ACK packets that never arrive. This exhausts the server’s resources and prevents it from accepting legitimate requests . To determine the source IP address of the SYN flooding attack, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the Documents folder of Attacker-1 machine.

Double-click on Synflood.pcapng file to open it with Wireshark.

Click on Statistics menu and select Conversations option.

Click on TCP tab and sort the list by Bytes column in descending order.

Observe the IP address that has sent the most bytes to 20.20.10.26 (target server).

The IP address that has sent the most bytes to 20.20.10.26 is 20.20.10.19 , which is the source IP address of the SYN flooding attack.

Technical threat intelligence is a type of threat intelligence that provides information about the technical details of specific attacks, such as indicators of compromise (IOCs), malware signatures, attack vectors, and vulnerabilities. Technical threat intelligence helps the NOC team understand how attackers are expected to perform an attack on the organization, identify the information leakage, and determine the attack goals as well as attack vectors. Technical threat intelligence is often consumed by security analysts, incident responders, and penetration testers who need to analyze and respond to active or potential threats.