212-82 Sample Questions Answers

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

Strong Security:

EAP-TLS provides strong security by using certificate-based authentication. This ensures that both the client and server are authenticated before a connection is established.

These firewalls operate by tracking the state and context of active connections, maintaining session information such as IP addresses and port numbers. They inspect packets at multiple layers of the OSI model, including the network, transport, and session layers.

Engaging a cloud-based data storage provider allows NovusCorp to manage the sudden influx of data requests without overloading the secondary data center. Cloud providers can quickly scale resources to meet demand.

The testing tier of a secure application development lifecycle involves checking the performance of the application on the client’s network to determine whether end users are facing any issues in accessing the application. Testing is a crucial phase of software development that ensures the quality, functionality, reliability, and security of the application. Testing can be done manually or automatically using various tools and techniques, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, regression testing, performance testing, usability testing, security testing, and acceptance testing

For NexaCorp to effectively monitor and analyze system logs, implementing a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is the optimal approach:

SIEM Overview: SIEM systems collect, normalize, and analyze log data from various sources in real-time.

Benefits:

Centralization: Aggregates logs from all systems into a single platform.

Correlation: Identifies patterns and correlates events from different sources to detect anomalies.

Implementation Steps:

Select a SIEM Solution: Choose a suitable SIEM tool (e.g., Splunk, ELK Stack, QRadar).

Integration: Configure the SIEM to collect logs from all relevant systems.

Alerting and Reporting: Set up alerts for suspicious activities and generate periodic reports.

References:

SIEM Basics: Link

Implementing SIEM: Link

Traceroute is the network troubleshooting utility employed by Steve in the above scenario. Traceroute is a utility that traces the route of packets from a source host to a destination host over a network. Traceroute sends ICMP echo request packets with increasing TTL (Time to Live) values and records the ICMP echo reply packets from each intermediate router or gateway along the path. Traceroute can help identify the network hops, latency, and packet loss between the source and destination hosts . Dnsenum is a utility that enumerates DNS information from a domain name or an IP address. Arp is a utility that displays and modifies the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache of a host. Ipconfig is a utility that displays and configures the IP (Internet Protocol) settings of a host.

Permissive policy is the type of Internet access policy implemented by George in this scenario. An Internet access policy is a policy that defines the rules and guidelines for accessing the Internet from a system or network. An Internet access policy can be based on various factors, such as security, productivity, bandwidth, etc. An Internet access policy can have different types based on its level of restriction or control. A permissive policy is a type of Internet access policy that allows users to access any site, download any application, and access any computer or network without any restrictions. A permissive policy can be used to provide maximum flexibility and freedom to users, but it can also pose significant security risks and challenges. In the scenario, George implemented an Internet access policy that allowed employees working from a remote location to access any site, download any application, and access any computer or network without any restrictions. This means that he implemented a permissive policy for those employees. A paranoid policy is a type of Internet access policy that blocks or denies all Internet access by default and only allows specific sites, applications, or computers that are explicitly authorized. A prudent policy is a type of Internet access policy that allows most Internet access but blocks or restricts some sites, applications, or computers that are deemed inappropriate, malicious, or unnecessary. A promiscuous policy is not a type of Internet access policy, but a term that describes a network mode that allows a network interface card (NIC) to capture all packets on a network segment, regardless of their destination address. 

The IP address of the attacker is 10.10.1.16. This can be verified by analyzing the Windows.events.evtx file using a tool such as Event Viewer or Log Parser. The file contains several Audit Failure logs with event ID 4625, which indicate failed logon attempts to the system. The logs show that the source network address of the failed logon attempts is 10.10.1.16, which is the IP address of the attacker3. The screenshot below shows an example of viewing one of the logs using Event Viewer4: References: Audit Failure Log, [Windows.events.evtx], [Screenshot of Event Viewer showing Audit Failure log]

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. 

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

Admissible is the rule of evidence discussed in the above scenario. A rule of evidence is a criterion or principle that determines whether a piece of evidence can be used in a legal proceeding or investigation. Admissible is a rule of evidence that states that the evidence must be relevant, reliable, authentic, and understandable to be accepted by a court or a jury . Admissible also means that the evidence must be obtained legally and ethically, without violating any laws or rights. In the scenario, Kason has documented all the supporting documents, including source of the evidence and its relevance to the case, before presenting it in front of the jury, which means that he has followed the admissible rule of evidence. Authentic is a rule of evidence that states that the evidence must be original or verifiable as genuine and not altered or tampered with. Understandable is a rule of evidence that states that the evidence must be clear and comprehensible to the court or jury and not ambiguous or confusing. Reliable is a rule of evidence that states that the evidence must be consistent and trustworthy and not based on hearsay or speculation.

A circuit-level gateway is a type of firewall that works at the session layer of the OSI model and monitors the TCP handshake between hosts to determine whether a requested session is legitimate. It does not inspect the contents of each packet, but rather relies on the session information to filter traffic

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.

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.

Eradication is the IH&R step performed by Fernando in this scenario. Eradication is a step in IH&R that involves eliminating the root cause of the incident and closing all attack vectors to prevent similar incidents in future. Eradication can include applying patches, installing security mechanisms, removing malware, restoring backups, or reformatting systems.

References: [Eradication Step in IH&R]

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. 

The correct answer is B, as it identifies the remote authentication protocol employed by Lorenzo in the above scenario. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) for remote-access servers such as VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), wireless networks, or dial-up connections. RADIUS is based on the client-server model and works at the transport layer of the OSI model. RADIUS uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) as its transport protocol and encrypts only user passwords in its messages. In the above scenario, Lorenzo implemented RADIUS to provide centralized AAA for remote-access servers. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the remote authentication protocol employed by Lorenzo in the above scenario. SNMPv3 (Simple Network Management Protocol version 3) is a protocol that provides network management and monitoring for network devices such as routers, switches, servers, or printers. SNMPv3 is basedon the manager-agent model and works at the application layer of the OSI model. SNMPv3 uses UDP as its transport protocol and encrypts all its messages with AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) or DES (Data Encryption Standard). In the above scenario, Lorenzo did not implement SNMPv3 to provide network management and monitoring for network devices. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the remote authentication protocol employed by Lorenzo in the above scenario. POP3S (Post Office Protocol version 3 Secure) is a protocol that provides secure email access and retrieval for email clients from email servers. POP3S is based on the client-server model and works at the application layer of the OSI model. POP3S uses TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) as its transport protocol and encrypts all its messages with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security). In the above scenario, Lorenzo did not implement POP3S to provide secure email access and retrieval for email clients from email servers. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the remote authentication protocol employed by Lorenzo in the above scenario. IMAPS (Internet Message Access Protocol Secure) is a protocol that provides secure email access and management for email clients from email servers. IMAPS is based on the client-server model and works at the application layer of the OSI model. IMAPS uses TCP as its transport protocol and encrypts all its messages with SSL or TLS. In the above scenario, Lorenzo did not implement IMAPS to provide secure email access and management for email clients from email servers.

References: , Section 8.2

Dashboard is the SIEM function that allowed Camden to view suspicious behavior and make correct decisions during a security incident. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a system or software that collects, analyzes, and correlates security data from various sources, such as logs, alerts, events, etc., and provides a centralized view and management of the security posture of a network or system. SIEM can be used to detect, prevent, or respond to security incidents or threats. SIEM consists of various functions or components that perform different tasks or roles. Dashboard is a SIEM function that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays various security metrics, indicators, alerts, reports, etc., in an organized and interactive manner. Dashboard can be used to view suspicious behavior and make correct decisions during a security incident. In the scenario, Camden monitored the behavior of the organizational network using SIEM from a control room. The SIEM detected suspicious activity and sent an alert to Camden. Based on the severity of the incident displayed on the screen, Camden made the correct decision and immediately launched defensive actions to prevent further exploitation by attackers. This means that he used the dashboard function of SIEM for this purpose. Application log monitoring is a SIEM function that collects and analyzes application logs, which are records of events or activities that occur within an application or software. Log retention is an SIEM function that stores and preserves logs for a certain period of time or indefinitely for future reference or analysis. Data aggregationis an SIEM function that combines and normalizes data from different sources into a common format or structure.

For a mobile banking app, ensuring secure user authentication is crucial. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides a robust security layer:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

Definition: MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, combining something they know (password), something they have (smartphone), and something they are (biometric verification).

Security Benefits: Significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if one factor is compromised.

Implementation:

User Convenience: Integrate seamlessly into the app to maintain a positive user experience.

Enhanced Security: Protects against various attack vectors, including phishing, brute force attacks, and credential stuffing.

References:

NIST Digital Identity Guidelines:NIST SP 800-63

OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide: OWASP MSTG

Obfuscating is the technique used by Kevin to evade the IDS system in the above scenario. Obfuscating is a technique that involves encoding or modifying packets or data with various methods or characters to make them unreadable or unrecognizable by an IDS (Intrusion Detection System). Obfuscating can be used to bypass or evade an IDS system that relies on signatures or patterns to detect malicious activities. Obfuscating can include encoding packets with Unicode characters, which are characters that can represent various languages and symbols. The IDS system cannot recognize the packet, but the target web server can decode them and execute them normally. Desynchronization is a technique that involves creating discrepancies or inconsistencies between the state of a connection as seen by an IDS system and the state of a connection as seen by the end hosts. Desynchronization can be used to bypass or evade an IDS system that relies on stateful inspection to track and analyze connections. Desynchronization can include sending packets with invalid sequence numbers, which are numbers that indicate the order of packets in a connection. Session splicing is a technique that involves splitting or dividing packets or data into smaller fragments or segmentsto make them harder to detect by an IDS system. Session splicing can be used to bypass or evade an IDS system that relies on packet size or content to detect malicious activities. Session splicing can include sending packets with small MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) values, which are values that indicate the maximum size of packets that can be transmitted over a network. An urgency flag is a flag in the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) header that indicates that the data in the packet is urgent and should be processed immediately by the receiver. An urgency flag is not a technique to evade an IDS system, but it can be used to trigger an IDS system to generate an alert or a response.

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

 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

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.

Traceroute is the network troubleshooting utility employed by Steve in the above scenario. Traceroute is a utility that traces the route of packets from a source host to a destination host over a network. Traceroute sends ICMP echo request packets with increasing TTL (Time to Live) values and records the ICMP echo reply packets from each intermediate router or gateway along the path. Traceroute can help identify the network hops, latency, and packet loss between the source and destination hosts . Dnsenum is a utility that enumerates DNS information from a domain name or an IP address. Arp is a utility that displays and modifies the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache of a host. Ipconfig is a utility that displays and configures the IP (Internet Protocol) settings of a host.

The correct answer is B, as it describes the information security element that was described in the above scenario. Non-repudiation is an information security element that ensures that a party cannot deny sending or receiving a message or performing an action. In the above scenario, non-repudiation was described, as Kayden could not deny company’s message, and company could not deny Kayden’s signature. Option A is incorrect, as it does not describe the information security element that was described in the above scenario. Availability is an information security element that ensures that authorized users can access and use information and resources when needed. In the above scenario, availability was not described, as there was no mention of access or use of information and resources. Option C is incorrect, as it does not describe the information security element that was described in the above scenario. Integrity is an information security element that ensures that information and resources are accurate and complete and have not been modified by unauthorized parties. In the above scenario, integrity was not described, as there was no mention of accuracy or completeness of information and resources. Option D is incorrect, as it does not describe the information security element that was described in the above scenario. Confidentiality is an information security element that ensures that information and resources are protected from unauthorized access and disclosure.In the above scenario, confidentiality was not described, as there was no mention of protection or disclosure of information and resources.

References: , Section 3.1

The number of files in the “Sensitive Corporate Documents” folder is 4. This can be verified by initiating a remote connection to the target machine from the “Attacker Machine-1” using Theef client. Theef is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that allows an attacker to remotely control a victim’s machine and perform various malicious activities. To connect to the target machine using Theef client, one can follow these steps:

Launch Theef client from Z:\CCT-Tools\CCT Module 01 Information Security Threats and Vulnerabilities\Remote Access Trojans (RAT)\Theef on the “Attacker Machine-1”.

Enter the IP address of the target machine (20.20.10.26) and click on Connect.

Wait for a few seconds until a connection is established and a message box appears saying “Connection Successful”.

Click on OK to close the message box and access the remote desktop of the target machine.

Navigate to the Documents directory and locate the “Sensitive Corporate Documents” folder.

Open the folder and count the number of files in it. The screenshot below shows an example of performing these steps: References: [Theef Client Tutorial], [Screenshot of Theef client showing remote desktop and folder]

Cookies are the computer-created evidence retrieved by Desmond in this scenario. Cookies are small files that are stored on a user’s computer by a web browser when the user visits a website. Cookies can contain information such as user preferences, login details, browsing history, or tracking data. Cookies can be used to extract and analyze computer-based evidence to retrieve information related to websites accessed from the victim machine2. References: Cookies

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

For an e-commerce company undergoing rapid expansion, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is the most relevant risk management framework:

Customizability: NIST CSF is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for a growing e-commerce platform.

Comprehensive Approach: Covers identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery, which are critical for e-commerce security.

Industry Agnostic: Applicable across various sectors, providing a robust foundation for different security needs.

Guidance and Best Practices: NIST CSF provides detailed guidelines and best practices that help organizations develop a comprehensive security posture.

References:

NIST Cybersecurity Framework:NIST CSF

Implementation of NIST CSF in e-commerce: SANS Institute

Access Control:

Implementing an employee badge system with time-based access control ensures that only authorized personnel can access specific areas within the office, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

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?

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.

 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.

In the context of developing a cryptographic protocol resilient against quantum computing attacks, SHA-3 is the most appropriate choice. Here’s why:

Quantum Computing Threats: Quantum computers can potentially break current cryptographic methods like RSA and ECC due to Shor's algorithm. Traditional hash functions like SHA-256 might not offer sufficient security in a post-quantum world.

SHA-3 Overview: SHA-3, part of the Secure Hash Algorithm family, was designed with quantum resistance in mind. It was selected through an open competition by NIST, ensuring it incorporates advanced cryptographic techniques.

Resilience: SHA-3’s design is fundamentally different from SHA-2, providing enhanced security properties, including resistance to various attack vectors that might be feasible with quantum computing advancements.

References:

NIST SHA-3 Standard:NIST FIPS PUB 202

Research on quantum-resistant cryptography:IEEE Xplore

Purple team is the team that Alex works for in this scenario. A team is a group of people that work together to achieve a common goal or objective. A team can have different types based on its role or function in an organization or a project. A purple team is a type of team that works for both aggressor and defender teams. A purple team can be used to enhance protection and boost the security standards of an organization by performing various tasks, such as testing, evaluating, improving, or integrating the security measures implemented by the defender team or exploited by the aggressor team. In the scenario, Alex is a certified security professional who works for both aggressor and defender teams. His team’s main responsibility involves enhancing protection and boosting the security standards of the organization. This means that he works for a purple team. A white team is a type of team that acts as an observer or an arbitrator between the aggressor and defender teams. A white team can be used to monitor, evaluate, or adjudicate the performance or outcome of the aggressor and defender teams by providing feedback, guidance, or rules. A blue team is a type of team that acts as a defender or a protector of an organization’s network or system. A blue team can be used to prevent, detect, or respond to attacks from external or internal threats by implementing various security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus, encryption, etc. A red team is a type of team that acts as an attacker or an adversary of an organization’s network or system. A red team can be used to simulate realistic attacks from external or internal threats by exploiting various vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or gaps in the organization’s security posture.

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.

Cold backup is the backup technique utilized by Ryleigh in the above scenario. Cold backup is a backup technique that involves taking a full backup of data when the system or database is offline or shut down. Cold backup ensures that the data is consistent and not corrupted by any ongoing transactions or operations. Cold backup is usually performed on a fixed date or time when the service-level downtime is allowed or scheduled . Nearline backup is a backup technique that involves storing data on a medium that is not immediately accessible, but can be retrieved within a short time. Hot backup is a backup technique that involves taking a backup of data while the system or database is online or running. Warm backup is a backup technique that involves taking a backup of data while the system or database is partially online or running. 

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. 

Risk treatment is the risk management phase that Cassius was instructed to perform in the above scenario. Risk management is a process that involves identifying, analyzing, evaluating, treating, monitoring, and reviewing risks that can affect an organization’s objectives, assets, or operations. Risk management phases can be summarized as follows: risk identification, risk analysis, risk prioritization, risk treatment, and risk monitoring . Risk identification is the risk management phase that involves identifying and documenting potential sources, causes, events, and impacts of risks. Risk analysis is the risk management phase that involves assessing and quantifying the likelihood and consequences of risks. Risk prioritization is the risk management phase that involves ranking risks based on their severity level and determining which risks need immediate attention or action. Risk treatment is the risk management phase that involves selecting and implementing appropriate controls or strategies to address risks based on their severity level . Risk treatment can include avoiding, transferring, reducing, or accepting risks. Risk monitoring is the risk management phase that involves tracking and reviewing the performance and effectiveness of risk controls or strategies over time.

 FTP Unencrypted Cleartext Login is the vulnerability that may affect the website according to the severity factor in the above scenario. A vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in a system or network that can be exploited by an attacker to compromise its security or functionality. A vulnerability assessment is a process that involves identifying, analyzing, and evaluating vulnerabilities in a system or network using various tools and techniques. Greenbone is a tool that can perform vulnerability assessment on various targets using various tests and scans. To perform a vulnerability assessment on the given IP address 20.20.10.26, one has to follow these steps:

Open a web browser and type 20.20.10.26:9392

Press Enter key to access the Greenbone web interface.

Enter admin as username and password as password.

Click on Login button.

Click on Scans menu and select Tasks option.

Click on Start Scan icon next to IP Address Scan task.

Wait for the scan to complete and click on Report icon next to IP Address Scan task.

Observe the vulnerabilities found by the scan.

The vulnerabilities found by the scan are:

The vulnerability that may affect the website according to the severity factor is FTP Unencrypted Cleartext Login, which has a medium severity level. FTP Unencrypted Cleartext Login is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to intercept or sniff FTP login credentials that are sent in cleartext over an unencrypted connection. An attacker can use these credentials to access or modify files or data on the FTP server. TCP timestamps and UDP timestamps are vulnerabilities that allow an attacker to estimate the uptime of a system or network by analyzing the timestamp values in TCP or UDP packets. Anonymous FTP Login Reporting is a vulnerabilitythat allows an attacker to access an FTP server anonymously without providing any username or password.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is the wireless technology that the software company has implemented in the above scenario. RFID uses radio-frequency electromagnetic waves to transfer data for automatic identification and for tracking tags attached to objects1112. WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless technology that provides high-speed broadband access over long distances13. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that enables short-range data communication between devices, such as phones, laptops, printers, etc.14. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect to a local area network or the internet using radio waves

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.

Non-routing dual-homed hosts are the type of bastion hosts configured by Elliott in the above scenario. A bastion host is a system or device that is exposed to the public internet and acts as a gateway or a proxy for other systems or networks behind it. A bastion host can be used to provide an additional layer of security and protection for internal systems or networks from external threats and attacks . A bastion host can have different types based on its configuration or functionality. A non-routing dual-homed host is a type of bastion host that has two network interfaces: one connected to the public internet and one connected to the internal network. A non-routing dual-homed host does not allow any direct communication between the two networks and only allows specific services or applications to pass through it . A non-routing dual-homed host can be used to isolate and secure internal systems or networks from external access . In the scenario, Elliott was appointed to test a newly developed application deployed over an organizational network using a bastion host. Elliott initiated the process by configuring the non-reusable bastion host. He then tested the newly developed application to identify the presence of security flaws that were not yet known; further, he executed services that were not secure. This means that he configured a non-routing dual-homed host for this purpose. An external services host is a type of bastion host that provides external services, such as web,email, FTP, etc., to the public internet while protecting internal systems or networks from direct access . A victim machine is not a type of bastion host, but a term that describes a system or device that has been compromised or infected by an attacker or malware . A one-box firewall is not a type of bastion host, but a term that describes a firewall that performs both packet filtering and application proxy functions in one device . 

 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.