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

Encryption is challenging to security monitoring because it can be used by threat actors as a method of evasion and obfuscation. Encryption can prevent security devices from inspecting the content or payload of the network traffic, making it difficult to detect malicious activity or signatures. Encryption can also hide the source and destination of the traffic, making it hard to trace the origin or destination of the attack. 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, Lesson 4.1.1)

The engineer engaged with the service component by enabling “Audiosrv,” which is the Windows Audio Service responsible for managing audio for Windows-based programs. By setting it to auto-start, the engineer ensured that the service would run automatically upon system startup. Additionally, the engineer interacted with process and thread management by using the Task Manager to modify the behavior of the “Audiosrv” service.

References: The information is based on standard operating procedures for troubleshooting audio issues in Windows OS, which involves services and processes management.

 In the context of public key infrastructure (PKI), a trusted certificate authority (CA) is responsible for issuing digital certificates that verify a digital entity’s identity on the internet. The CA acts as a trusted third party between the user (in this case, tom0411976943) and the recipient (dan1968754032), ensuring that the public keys are indeed who they claim to be. The CA verifies the identity of the users and then issues a certificate containing the public key and a variety of other identification information. The trusted CA can then vouch for the authenticity of each user to the other.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

FAT is a file system that organizes and stores data on a disk. However, FAT has a limitation of 4 GB for the maximum file size, which means that any file larger than that will be corrupted. To resolve this issue, the engineer can use FAT32, which is an improved version of FAT that supports files up to 32 GB. Alternatively, the engineer can use other file systems that have higher file size limits, such as Ext4 or NTFS. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 5: Security Policies and Procedures, Lesson 5.1: Data Retention, Topic 5.1.1: Data Retention Policies and Procedures

The IPv4 protocol header contains various fields that provide essential information for routing and delivery of packets across an IP network. Two key pieces of information collected from the IPv4 header are the source IP address and the destination IP address of the packet. These addresses are crucial for identifying where a packet is coming from and where it is intended to go12.

References := The structure and fields of the IPv4 header, including the source and destination IP addresses, are explained in detail in networking resources and documentation, such as the ComputerNetworkingNotes tutorial on IPv4 Header Structure1, and the Engineering LibreTexts on the IPv4 Header2.

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)

Reflective XSS, also known as Non-Persistent XSS, occurs when an attacker sends a malicious script to a user through a web application, and the script is executed immediately in the user’s browser without being stored on the server. This type of attack is typically carried out by including the malicious script in a URL, which is then sent to the victim. When the victim clicks on the link, the script runs in their browser, reflecting the attacker’s actions without storing the payload for repeated use12. References: OWASP Foundation’s documentation on Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) provides detailed information on the different types of XSS attacks, including Reflective XSS

Full packet capture (FPC) is a valuable tool for investigating security breaches because it provides comprehensive data that can be used to reconstruct the event and identify the root cause. By capturing every packet, FPC allows engineers to see exactly what took place during the breach, including the TCP flags set within each packet, which can help focus on suspicious packets to identify malicious activity. It also collects metadata, including IP traffic packet data that is sorted, parsed, and indexed, and provides the full TCP streams to follow the metadata to identify the incoming threat

Defense-in-depth is a security strategy where multiple layers of defense are placed throughout an information technology (IT) system. It addresses physical, technical, and administrative controls to provide redundancy and ensure that if one layer fails, others will be in place to thwart an attack. References: Cisco Tech Roles - CyberOps Engineer

A dictionary attack is a method used to break into a password-protected computer or server by systematically entering every word in a dictionary as a password. In the context of an authentication system that uses only 4-digit numeric passwords, a dictionary attack would involve trying all possible combinations of 4-digit numbers until the correct one is found.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course materials discuss various attack methods, including dictionary attacks, and how they can be used to compromise networks

 Full packet capture provides the complete recording of all the packets that are transmitted over the network. This data is essential for in-depth analysis during an investigation, as it allows investigators to reconstruct the session, observe the content of the traffic, and determine if data exfiltration has occurred.

References: Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) study materials would typically cover the importance of full packet capture in network forensics and incident response.

The file that is extractable via TCP stream within Wireshark is the one that has the Content-Type header set to application/octet-stream, which indicates binary data. This header is present in frames 7, 14, and 21, which are part of the same TCP stream. The other frames have different Content-Type headers, such as text/html or image/jpeg, which are not extractable as binary files. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 3: Network Intrusion Analysis, Lesson 3.2: Analyze Data from Common TCP/IP Protocols, Topic 3.2.3: HTTP

• Rule-based detection systems operate using predefined patterns and signatures to identify known threats. These patterns are based on prior knowledge of attack methods and vulnerabilities.
• Behavioral detection systems, on the other hand, analyze the normal behavior of a network or system to establish a baseline. They then monitor for deviations from this baseline, which may indicate potential threats.
• Rule-based systems are effective at detecting known threats but may struggle with novel or zero-day attacks that do not match existing signatures.
• Behavioral systems can detect unknown threats by recognizing abnormal activities, making them useful in identifying zero-day exploits and other sophisticated attacks.

References

• Comparison of Rule-based and Behavioral Detection Methods in IDS
• Advantages of Behavioral Analysis in Network Security
• Cybersecurity Detection Techniques

The exhibit shows a high rate of SYN packets being sent from multiple sources towards a single destination IP. This is indicative of a SYN flood attack, where the attacker sends a succession of SYN requests to a target’s system in an attempt to consume enough server resources to make the system unresponsive to legitimate traffic. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 4: Network Intrusion Analysis

Social engineering is the practice of manipulating or deceiving people into performing actions or divulging information that can compromise the security of the organization. Asking questions about the company’s user account format and password complexity at a party is an example of social engineering, as the guest may be trying to gather information that can be used to launch a cyberattack. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 6: Security Incident Investigations

HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure data transmission over the internet. This encryption makes it difficult to monitor HTTPS traffic because the data packets are encrypted making them unreadable to anyone trying to intercept or monitor the data without proper decryption keys. References := Cisco CyberOps Associate

When analyzing Wireshark traffic for potential attacks, an engineer should look for patterns that indicate abnormal behavior, such as:

• Excessive Requests: A high number of requests over a short period could suggest an attempt to overwhelm the server, known as an HTTP flood.
• Status Codes: Repeated 403 Forbidden responses may indicate that the server is rejecting requests due to a security rule being triggered.
• Request Types: A mix of GET and POST requests could be used in various attack scenarios, including bandwidth flooding or cache bypassing.

Application whitelisting/blacklisting is a technology used to control which applications are allowed to execute on a company’s corporate PCs. Whitelisting allows only approved applications to run, while blacklisting prevents specific applications from running. This approach is effective for managing application usage across an enterprise.

The regular expression c(rgr)+e matches strings where “rgr” occurs one or more times between “c” and “e”. The string “crgrrgre” fits this pattern as it has the sequence “rgr” repeated twice between “c” and “e”. The plus sign (+) in the regular expression indicates that the preceding element must appear one or more times for a match to occur

X.509 certificates are used in conjunction with secure data transfer protocols to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of communication. They are part of a public key infrastructure (PKI) that authenticates the identity of entities and encrypts data in transit. References: Implementing X.509 certificates along with secure data transfer protocols like SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS, and IPSec can help secure data sharing with third-party companies

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)

 Agent-based protection is a type of endpoint security that uses software agents installed on the devices to monitor and protect them. Agent-based protection can collect and detect all traffic locally, which means it can operate without relying on a network connection or a centralized server. Agent-based protection can also provide more granular and comprehensive visibility and control over the devices. References: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/on-demand-e-learning/understanding-cisco-cybersecurity-operations-fundamentals-cbrops-v1.0/CSCU-LP-CBROPS-V1-028093.html (Module 2: Security Concepts, Lesson 2.3: Endpoint Security)

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

 The event described falls under the ‘action on objectives’ category of the Cyber Kill Chain. This stage occurs after the attacker has established a foothold within the network and begins to execute their intended actions, such as data exfiltration. References: The Cyber Kill Chain framework outlines the stages of a cyberattack, with ‘action on objectives’ being the final step where attackers achieve their primary goal, such as data theft

 Full packet capture requires the largest amount of storage space because it involves recording all packets that pass through a network, including all headers and payloads. This type of data collection is comprehensive and allows for detailed analysis, but due to the volume of data it encompasses, it demands significant storage capacity1.

References := The Cisco Secure Network Analytics Data Store Design Guide discusses the storage requirements for different types of network data collection, highlighting the substantial storage needs for full packet captures1.

 The alert from the Cisco ASA device and the numerous activity logs are examples of circumstantial evidence. Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference or deduction to connect it to a conclusion of fact, such as a security incident or an attack. Circumstantial evidence does not directly prove the fact in question, but rather suggests or implies it. In this case, the alert and the logs indicate that a TCP connection attempt was denied by an access group, but they do not directly prove that an attack occurred or who was behind it. There could be other explanations for the denied connection, such as a misconfiguration, a network error, or a legitimate request. Therefore, this type of evidence is circumstantial and requires further investigation and analysis to confirm or rule out the possibility of an attack. References := Circumstantial evidence - Wikipedia; Circumstantial Evidence - Definition, Examples, Cases, Processes; Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 92.

The exhibit shows “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,” which is a Windows Registry hive. The registry is a database used to store low-level settings for the operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. The other options are not related to the exhibit, as they are either a part of the Windows Certificate Manager, a naming convention for Windows PowerShell commands, or a component of the Windows Services Manager. References := Cisco Cybersecurity

https://docs .microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/sysinfo/registry-hives

https://ldapwiki.com/wik i/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE#:~:text=HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE%20Windows%20registry%20hive%20contains,detected%20hardware%20and%20device%20drivers.

 The attack surface is the sum of all paths for data into and out of the environment, such as network interfaces, applications, services, protocols, ports, and user accounts. The attack surface represents the exposure of the environment to potential threats and attacks. A vulnerability is an exploitable weakness in a system or its design that can allow an attacker to compromise the system or its data. A vulnerability is a subset of the attack surface, as not all paths for data are vulnerable. References: [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Module 1: Security Concepts]

• A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves multiple compromised devices (botnet) sending a large number of requests to a target server to overwhelm it.
• In a specific type of DDoS attack known as an NTP amplification attack, the attacker exploits the Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers by sending small queries with a spoofed source IP address (the target’s IP).
• The NTP server responds with a much larger reply to the target’s IP address, thereby amplifying the traffic directed at the target.
• This reflection and amplification technique significantly increases the volume of traffic sent to the target, causing denial of service.

References

• OWASP DDoS Attack Overview
• NTP Amplification Attack Explained
• Understanding Botnets and Distributed Attacks

A regular expression (regex) is a sequence of characters that defines a search pattern for text. A regex can be used to extract custom properties from log messages or events in a SIEM platform. In this case, the regex that matches the phrase “File: Clean” exactly is ^File: Clean$. The ^ symbol indicates the beginning of the line and the $ symbol indicates the end of the line. The regex ensures that no other characters are before or after the phrase. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, Module 5: Security Policies and Procedures, Lesson 5.3: Data and Event Analysis
• 200-201 CBROPS - Cisco, Exam Topics, 5.0 Security Policies and Procedures, 5.3 Analyze data as part of security monitoring activities
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview - Cisco Learning Network, Videos, 5.3 Analyze data as part of security monitoring activities

 A TCP handshake is a three-way exchange of messages between a client and a server to establish a TCP connection. The client initiates the handshake by sending a SYN packet with a sequence number to the server. The server responds with a SYN-ACK packet with its own sequence number and an acknowledgment number that is the client’s sequence number plus one. The client completes the handshake by sending an ACK packet with an acknowledgment number that is the server’s sequence number plus one. If the remote server is not receiving an SYN-ACK packet from the local server, it means that the TCP handshake is not completed and the connection is not established. This could be caused by various factors, such as network congestion, firewall rules, packet filtering, or misconfiguration of the TCP parameters on either end. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 177; TCP 3-Way Handshake Process - GeeksforGeeks

Delivery is the fourth phase of the cyber kill chain, which is a model to describe the stages of a cyberattack. Delivery refers to the transmission of the weaponized payload to the target system, such as via email attachments, web links, USB drives, or network connections. Delivery does not necessarily imply successful installation or execution of the payload, which are subsequent phases of the kill chain. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 31.

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."

 Indicators of attack (IoAs) are signs that an attack may be in progress or imminent. Malware reinfection within a few minutes of removal (D) is a strong IoA because it suggests that the attacker has a persistent mechanism to redeploy malware, indicating an active compromise of the system.

References: Cisco’s Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals documents

The scenario described is indicative of a port scanning attack. Port scanning is a method used by attackers to discover open ports on network devices. A single SYN packet sent to each port is a technique known as SYN scanning or half-open scanning, where the attacker sends a SYN message (as if they are going to initiate a TCP connection) to every port on the server, looking for positive responses which indicate an open port. This type of scanning is less intrusive and harder to detect because it never completes the TCP three-way handshake1.

References: Cisco community resources on Denial of Service (DoS) attacks

NIST SP 800-61 r2 outlines a structured incident handling lifecycle composed of four phases: Preparation, Detection and Analysis, Containment, Eradication, and Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity. Detection and Analysis involve identifying and investigating incidents, while Post-Incident Activity focuses on lessons learned and evidence retention for future reference.

References: SP 800-61 Rev. 2, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide | CSRC, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide - NIST, We Read NIST SP 800-61 so You Don’t Have to.

Traffic with a known TOR exit node is often associated with data exfiltration, where sensitive information is transferred from within the network to an external location. TOR networks are used to anonymize the traffic, making it difficult to trace back to the source. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals - Module 2: Security Monitoring

Social engineering is a type of testing method that involves manipulating or deceiving people into performing actions or divulging information that can compromise the security of the organization. Social engineering can take various forms, such as phishing, vishing, baiting, quid pro quo, or impersonation. The scenario in the question is an example of a phishing attack, where the intruder sent an email to the user that appeared to be legitimate and contained a malicious link that infected the user’s machine and allowed the intruder to access the corporate network. References: [Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Module 6: Security Incident Investigations]

The defense-in-depth principle is a strategy of applying multiple layers of security controls to protect an asset from threats. It is based on the assumption that no single security measure is sufficient to prevent all attacks, and that each layer adds more protection and reduces the risk of compromise. One example of applying the defense-in-depth principle is implementing alerts for unexpected asset malfunctions, which can indicate a potential security breach or incident. References: Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals, Module 1: Security Concepts, Lesson 1.1: The CIA Triad and Security Concepts, Topic 1.1.4: Defense-in-Depth Principle

False-positive alerts are alerts that are triggered by benign or normal network traffic and are mistakenly identified as malicious. False positives can have a negative impact on business as they may consume the resources and time of the security team that need to analyze and verify them. True-positive alerts are alerts that correctly identify malicious traffic or activity and require proper incident response procedures. True positives can help the security team to quickly detect and mitigate threats and minimize the damage to the organization. References := Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) - Cisco, page 92; [Cisco CyberOps Associate CBROPS 200-201 Official Cert Guide], page 98

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

• Defense-in-depth is a layered security strategy that aims to protect information and resources through multiple security measures.
• One of its key principles is the concept of least privilege, which means providing users and systems with the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions.
• By assigning only the necessary permissions, the attack surface is reduced, and the potential damage from a compromised account or system is minimized.
• This principle helps in mitigating the risk of unauthorized access and limits the capabilities of an attacker if they gain access to an account.

References

• Defense-in-Depth Strategy by NIST
• Principle of Least Privilege in Cybersecurity
• Layered Security Approach Explained

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

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

 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

Asymmetric cryptography, also known as public key cryptography, involves two keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This method ensures that even if the public key is known, only the holder of the private key can decrypt the message, thus providing a secure way to transfer data. References: Asymmetric encryption is beneficial for secure data transfer because it allows message authentication, non-repudiation, and detects tampering, although it is slower than symmetric encryption

The Cuckoo report indicates that the file is a PE32 executable for MS Windows, which is typically an executable file format. The presence of the watermark “CHINESEDUMPS” and the detection ratio from VirusTotal suggest that the file is recognized by multiple antivirus engines as potentially harmful. This aligns with option A, suggesting that the file, named Win32.polip.a.exe, should be considered malicious and flagged accordingly.

References: The information provided is based on standard practices for analyzing potentially malicious files using tools like Cuckoo and services like VirusTotal, which are commonly referenced in cybersecurity documentation, including Cisco’s cybersecurity training materials.

 During the negotiation phase of the TLS handshake, the client sends a “ClientHello” message to the server which includes information about TLS versions it supports, cipher-suites it supports and suggested compression methods. This initiates communication protocols for secure connection. References := Cisco Cybersecurity source documents or study guide

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

When analyzing a pcap file, data encryption can pose a significant challenge in terms of visibility. Encrypted data cannot be easily inspected, which means that the analyst may not be able to view the contents of the network packets to detect suspicious activity.

References: The answers are based on the general knowledge of host-based firewalls and the challenges faced during the analysis of pcap files in cybersecurity, as outlined in Cisco’s cybersecurity documentation and resources.

Vishing is an attack where fraudsters impersonate legitimate entities via phone calls to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems are designed to collect, correlate, and analyze security event data from various sources to provide insights into potential security issues. They raise alerts when detecting suspicious activities. SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) systems, on the other hand, focus on automating and orchestrating incident response processes. They automate investigation path workflows and reduce the time spent on alerts by executing predefined actions and workflows in response to security events or incidents. References: The differences between SIEM and SOAR are highlighted in various cybersecurity resources, including those provided by Palo Alto Networks and Exabeam, which explain that while SIEM primarily focuses on collecting and analyzing security event data, SOAR extends these capabilities through automation, orchestration, and predefined incident response playbooks

A load balancer is the correct technology to implement a solution that makes routing decisions based on HTTP header, uniform resource identifier (URI), and SSL session ID attributes. Load balancers can inspect incoming traffic and make routing decisions to distribute the traffic across multiple servers based on various attributes, including the ones mentioned, to ensure optimal resource use and efficient traffic management12.

References :=

• Cisco Unified Border Element Configuration Guide1.
• URI based outbound Dial-peer configuration on CUBE - Cisco Community

The executable file is identified in the “name” section of the exhibit, which lists the file name “VAC-Bypass-Loader.exe”. This indicates that the file is an executable, as denoted by the “.exe” extension commonly associated with executable files in Windows operating systems.

References: The information provided is based on standard practices for identifying executable files within cybersecurity analysis reports and is consistent with Cisco’s cybersecurity documentation.

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)

An untampered disk image is one that has not been altered since its creation. This is verified by comparing the stored hash of the image at the time of creation with a newly computed hash; if they match, the image is considered untampered. Tampered images, on the other hand, may be used during the root cause analysis process to understand how and what was altered12. References: The differences between tampered and untampered disk images are discussed in cybersecurity literature, including Cisco’s certification guides, which explain the importance of hash matching for verifying the integrity of disk images

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.

Digital certificates are essential for decrypting ingress and egress perimeter traffic, as they provide the necessary encryption keys for secure communications. By using digital certificates, network security devices can inspect the decrypted traffic to detect any malicious outbound communications that may indicate command-and-control activity.

The user-agent HTTP header field is used in forensics to identify the type of browser used. It contains a characteristic string that allows network protocol peers to identify the operating system and browser of the web-server. This information is crucial in forensic analysis as it can provide insights into the client’s environment1.

References := The importance of the user-agent string in identifying the browser type is discussed in various technical resources, including the Wikipedia page on HTTP header fields2 and articles on GeeksforGeeks1.

The attack vector score in the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) reflects how a vulnerability can be exploited. A higher score is given when the attack can be conducted remotely, making it easier for an attacker to exploit the vulnerability without physical access to the vulnerable component3. References: The CVSS specification document provides a detailed explanation of how the attack vector score is determined, emphasizing the impact of the ease of exploitation on the score

The situation where endpoint logs show a machine receiving an unusual gateway address and DNS servers via DHCP is indicative of a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack, specifically a DHCP spoofing attack. In this type of attack, an adversary can set up a rogue DHCP server or manipulate the DHCP communication to provide false gateway and DNS information to clients. This allows the attacker to intercept, monitor, or manipulate traffic between the client and the intended gateway or DNS servers2.

References: Cisco’s best practices for network protections and attack identification3, and additional insights on securing networks from DHCP attacks

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.

The logs indicating multiple local TCP connection events are typically provided by a firewall. Firewalls are responsible for monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, and they generate logs that detail such events, which can be used for further analysis and incident response. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals

• Rule-based detection methods rely on predefined rules and patterns that are known beforehand. These rules are created based on prior knowledge of what constitutes normal and abnormal behavior.
• Statistical detection, on the other hand, involves analyzing data to identify anomalies. It is based on assumptions about what normal behavior looks like and uses statistical methods to detect deviations from this norm.
• Rule-based systems are typically straightforward but may miss novel attacks that do not match existing rules.
• Statistical methods can detect previously unknown threats by recognizing patterns that deviate from established baselines but may produce more false positives.

References

• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) Concepts
• Comparative Studies on Rule-based and Statistical Anomaly Detection
• Understanding Anomaly Detection in Network Security

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)

An SSL certificate enables the establishment of a secure connection between the client and the server using the TLS protocol. The client and the server exchange keys and agree on a cipher suite to encrypt and decrypt the data transmitted over the network. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

 The PCAP file in the exhibit shows a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) communication between two IP addresses. In the data section of the packet capture, “pdy/3.1… http/1” is visible, indicating that HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is being used as the application protocol for this communication.

References := The Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) course material covers the analysis of network traffic using tools like packet analyzers to identify application protocols in use1.

The exhibit displays a sys log which is used in computer systems for messaging logs. It provides messaging tracking services from different devices like routers, switches etc., which helps in tracking and identifying potential issues. References := Cisco Cybersecurity source documents or study guide 

The log in the exhibit is generated by a firewall. It shows a deny action taken on TCP traffic, specifying the source and destination addresses and ports, which is characteristic of firewall logs. Firewalls are designed to control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, and this log entry reflects the enforcement of such a rule.

References :=

• Cisco’s official documentation on firewall technologies and their log formats.

 When communicating via TLS, part of the handshake process involves presenting a certificate containing the server name, the name of the trusted CA that issued the certificate, and the public key of the server. The client can verify the validity of the certificate and use the public key to encrypt the data sent to the server. References := Cisco Cybersecurity Source Documents

A command and control server (C2 or C&C) is a server that is used by attackers to communicate with and control compromised systems, such as bots, zombies, or backdoors. The C2 server can send instructions to the compromised systems, such as executing commands, downloading files, uploading data, or launching attacks. The C2 server can also receive information from the compromised systems, such as system information, keystrokes, screenshots, or credentials. References:

• Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS) v1.0, Module 3: Network Intrusion Analysis, Lesson 3.4: Malware
• Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview, Exam Topics, 3.4 Compare and contrast types of malware

Delivery: This step involves transmitting the weapon to the target.

Weaponization: In this step, the intruder creates a malware weapon like a virus, worm or such in order to exploit the vulnerabilities of the target. Depending on the target and the purpose of the attacker, this malware can exploit new, undetected vulnerabilities (also known as the zero-day exploits) or it can focus on a combination of different vulnerabilities.

Reconnaissance: In this step, the attacker / intruder chooses their target. Then they conduct an in-depth research on this target to identify its vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

• 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 “<IMG SRC=j%41vascript:alert(‘attack’)>”.
• The code suggests an attempt to execute JavaScript within an image source attribute, indicative of a cross-site scripting attack.

• According to NIST SP800-61, the incident response lifecycle consists of four phases: Preparation, Detection and Analysis, Containment, Eradication and Recovery, and Post-Incident Activity.
• When a SOC team member checks the Cisco Firepower Manager dashboard for further isolation actions, they are working within the Eradication and Recovery phase.
• This phase focuses on removing the threat from the environment and recovering affected systems to normal operations.

References

• NIST SP800-61 Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
• Incident Response Phases Explained
• Role of SOC in Incident Response

Encryption allows the user to make the data incomprehensible without a specific key, certificate, or password. Encryption is a method of transforming data into a format that only authorized parties can access. Encryption can be used to protect data in transit or at rest from unauthorized access or modification. 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, Lesson 4.1.1)

 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

The Zero Trust security model operates on the principle that no one is trusted by default from inside or outside the network, and verification is required from everyone trying to gain access to resources on the network. It emphasizes continuous monitoring, validation, and least-privilege access to minimize exposure to sensitive parts of the network.

References: Zero Trust security | What is a Zero Trust network? | Cloudflare, Zero Trust Model: Unveiling 3 Core Principles for Enhanced Security, The Evolution of Zero Trust and the Frameworks that Guide It

 Tampered images are disk images that have been modified or altered in some way after they were captured from the original source. Tampered images may have different stored and computed hash values, which indicate that the integrity of the image has been compromised. Tampered images are not reliable or valid sources of evidence for forensic investigations, as they may contain false or misleading information. Untampered images are disk images that have not been changed or manipulated after they were acquired from the original source. Untampered images have the same stored and computed hash values, which verify that the image is an exact copy of the original disk. Untampered images are used for forensic investigations, as they preserve the original state and content of the disk and provide accurate and trustworthy evidence. References:

• Contrasting tampered and untampered disk images
• What is a difference between tampered and untampered disk images?

 In RBAC, access is based on the roles that users have within an organization, and permissions to perform certain operations are assigned to specific roles. DAC, on the other hand, is a type of access control where the access rights are determined by the owner of the resource or the resource itself.

 For high availability and responsiveness, especially where milliseconds of latency are critical, an engineer must analyze the network’s performance in detail. Total throughput on the interface of the router will provide information on the bandwidth and traffic load, which is essential for understanding if the network can handle the current and projected traffic without delays. NetFlow records are crucial for this analysis as they provide data about the traffic flow across the network, which helps in identifying patterns, peak usage times, and types of traffic. This information is vital for making informed decisions to optimize traffic movement and minimize latency123.

References :=

• Cisco’s guide on Network Traffic Analysis1.
• Cisco’s white paper on Network Security Policy: Best Practices2.
• Cisco’s documentation on Implementation of High Availability

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

In the context of NIST SP800-61, a precursor is an event that indicates the potential occurrence of an incident. When an organization adjusts its security stance in response to online threats made by a known hacktivist group, the initial event—the threats—would be considered a precursor. It is an indication of a potential future attack or security incident34.

References :=

• NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide3.
• Computer Security Incident Handling Guide - NIST

 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

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

• Statistical data is crucial for detecting anomalies within a network because it provides a baseline of normal behavior.
• Anomaly detection involves comparing current network data against historical statistical data to identify deviations from expected patterns.
• This method helps in identifying unusual activities that could signify a security threat, such as unusual login attempts, data transfers, or access patterns.
• Statistical data analysis tools use metrics such as mean, variance, and standard deviation to flag anomalies, aiding in proactive threat detection.

References

• Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals
• Network Anomaly Detection Techniques
• Statistical Methods in Cybersecurity

The data shown in the exhibit is typical of what can be captured and displayed using tcpdump, a command-line packet analyzer that allows users to display TCP/IP and other packets being transmitted or received over a network.

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

To search for additional downloads of a malicious file by other hosts, the file hash value is needed. The hash value provides a unique identifier for each specific file version, enabling cybersecurity professionals to track down identical files across networks. References := Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Overview