Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:
* Understanding the Security Event:
* HOST002 is the only device authorized for internet traffic. However, the SIEM logs show that VM002 is making network connections to web.corp.local.
* This indicates unauthorized access, which could be a sign of lateral movement or network infection.
* This is a red flag for potential malware, unauthorized software, or a compromised host.
* Why Option D is Correct:
* Unusual network traffic patterns are often an indicator of a compromised system.
* VM002 should not be communicating externally, but it is.
* This suggests a possible breach or malware infection attempting to communicate with a command-and-control (C2) server.
* Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
* A (Misconfiguration): While a misconfiguration could explain the unauthorized connections, the pattern of activity suggests something more malicious.
* B (Security incident on HOST002): The issue is not with HOST002. The suspicious activity is from VM002.
* C (False positives): The repeated pattern of unauthorized connections makes false positives unlikely.