Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What occurs during a source route attack?

1. Threat actors hijack user accounts

2. Threat actors gain access to the source path

3. Threat actors encrypt sensitive data

4. Threat actors execute remote commands

The correct answer is: Threat actors gain access to the source path

During a source route attack, threat actors exploit the source routing feature in certain network protocols to gain access to the source path. Source routing allows the sender of a packet to specify the route that the packet should take through the network. This can enable a malicious actor to manipulate the route, potentially bypassing security measures that are in place, such as firewalls or access controls. By taking advantage of this capability, an attacker can send packets through a predetermined route that grants them unauthorized access to sensitive areas of the network. This method of attack typically exploits vulnerabilities in network designs that rely on trust in the sender’s specified routing information. Understanding this helps reinforce the importance of securing routing protocols and ensuring that source routing is either limited or properly controlled within a network environment.