Pass the CompTIA CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003 Questions and answers with CertsForce

Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer that allows analysts to capture and inspect data packets traveling through a network. This makes it ideal for investigating unusual network activity, as it provides detailed insights into the nature and content of network traffic. In this case, Wireshark can help identify potentially malicious packets and understand the nature of the observed traffic. Options A (WAF) and C (EDR) are primarily used for monitoring and protecting web applications and endpoints, respectively, and Nmap (D) is typically used for network discovery and mapping, not detailed traffic analysis. According to CompTIA CySA+, packet analysis tools like Wireshark are invaluable for deep-dive investigations into network anomalies.

Command-and-control (C2) beaconing involves compromised systems communicating with an attacker’s server at regular intervals, often using HTTPS to blend in with legitimate traffic. This is indicative of a potential compromise where malware communicates back to a command center. The persistent nature of the connections after hours and throughout the day suggests automated beaconing, which is a tell-tale sign of C2 activity. According to CompTIA CySA+, this type of activity should raise immediate suspicion and warrants further investigation and containment. While options B, C, D, and E might indicate other issues, they do not fit the pattern described as well as option A.

The endpoint log entry shows that a new account named “admin” has been created on a Windows system with a local group membership of “Administrators”. This indicates that a new account has been introduced on the system with administrative privileges. This could be a sign of malicious activity, such as privilege escalation or backdoor creation, by an attacker who has compromised the system.

AUSB drop attackis acommon method for delivering ransomware, where an attacker leaves infected USB drives in strategic locations,tricking employees into plugging them into corporate devices​.

Option B (LFI - Local File Inclusion)exploitsweb applications, but the scenario lacksnetwork intrusion indicators.

Option C (Cross-site request forgery - CSRF)is used forexploiting authenticated web sessions, not ransomware delivery.

Option D (SQL injection)is used fordatabase exploitation, not file encryption malware.

Thus,A (USB drop) is the correct answer, asphysical malware introduction is a known ransomware attack vector​.

Time synchronization issues can cause severe problems with authentication and logging. If system clocks are not properly synchronized, it can lead to discrepancies in log timestamps, making it difficult to correlate events across different systems. Additionally, time-related discrepancies can affect authentication mechanisms that rely on time-based tokens, such as those used in multifactor authentication, leading to failures and security gaps.

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) is a public repository of standardized identifiers and descriptions for common cybersecurity vulnerabilities. It helps security analysts to identify, prioritize, and report on the most critical vulnerabilities in their systems and applications. The other options are not relevant for this purpose: Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) is a collection of information and analysis on current and emerging cyber threats; Cyber Analytics Repository (CAR) is a knowledge base of analytics developed by MITRE based on the ATT&CK adversary model; ATT&CK is a globally-accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations.References: According to the CompTIA CySA+ Study Guide: Exam CS0-003, 3rd Edition1, one of the objectives for the exam is to “use appropriate tools and methods to manage, prioritize and respond to attacks and vulnerabilities”. The book also covers the usage and syntax of various cybersecurity frameworks and standards, such as CVE, CTI, CAR, and ATT&CK, in chapter 1. Specifically, it explains the meaning and function of each framework and standard, such as CVE, which provides a common language for describing and sharing information about vulnerabilities1, page 28. Therefore, this is a reliable source to verify the answer to the question.

The vulnerability scan shows that the version information is visible in the http-server-header, which can be exploited by attackers to identify vulnerabilities specific to that version. Removing or obfuscating this information can enhance security.

The Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis is a framework that describes the relationship between four components of a cyberattack: adversary, capability, infrastructure, and victim. It helps analysts understand the behavior and motivation of threat actors, as well as the tools and methods they use to compromise their targets12. References: Main Analytical Frameworks for Cyber Threat Intelligence, section 4; Strategies, tools, and frameworks for building an effective threat intelligence team, section 3.

Port 3389 is commonly used by Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which is a service that allows remote access to a system. A vulnerability on this port could allow an attacker to compromise the web server or use it as a pivot point to access other systems. However, if the firewall blocks this port, the risk of exploitation is reduced.