Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

What does the open-port correlation approach analyze in determining the risk of a successful attack?

1. Running processes

2. List of open ports

3. System vulnerabilities

4. Network topography

The correct answer is: List of open ports

The open-port correlation approach primarily focuses on analyzing the list of open ports on a system. This method is essential in determining the risk of a successful attack because open ports can indicate potential entry points for an attacker. Each open port corresponds to a specific service or application running on the device, which could be exploited if there are vulnerabilities present in those services. By cataloging and examining these open ports, security professionals can assess which services are exposed to the internet and their level of risk based on known vulnerabilities associated with those services. Assessing open ports provides insight into the system's attack surface. Port scans may reveal not only the status of ports (whether they are open, closed, or filtered) but also the types of services running, helping to prioritize which ports may require immediate attention in terms of security patching or other defensive measures. This proactive approach is an integral component of network security management and risk assessment.