Which phase is concerned with eliminating traces of an attack?

The phase that is primarily focused on eliminating traces of an attack is clearing tracks. This step is crucial for an attacker who wants to avoid detection and maintain anonymity after breaching a system. Clearing tracks involves activities such as deleting log entries, removing malware, and covering up any digital footprints that could indicate an unauthorized intrusion. This not only helps the attacker to evade forensic investigations but also hinders the victim's ability to understand and respond to the breach effectively.

In contrast, reconnaissance is about gathering information about the target before an attack takes place, maintaining access involves methods used to ensure continued entry into the target system, and vulnerability scanning is the process of identifying weaknesses in systems to exploit later. Each of these phases plays a distinct role in the overall attack lifecycle, but clearing tracks is specifically dedicated to the act of concealing prior malicious activities.