Crucial Exams - Practice Questions Flashcards

Question

Steghide

Answer 1

Steghide is a steganography tool used for embedding hidden data within image or audio files and retrieving that data when needed. It supports encryption and compression of the embedded data, making it a useful tool for securely hiding information

Answer 2

Gobuster is a tool designed for **brute-forcing web paths, DNS subdomains, and virtual host names on target systems**. It is commonly used for discovering **hidden directories, files, and subdomain**s during penetration testing aka enumerating files and directories on web servers

Answer 3

True The correct answer is true. Pretexting is a social engineering technique where the attacker creates a fictitious scenario or assumes a false identity to manipulate a target into divulging information or gaining unauthorized access. In this case, the attacker is pretending to be a member of the IT department, which is a typical example of pretexting. The goal is to establish trust or authority to elicit sensitive information from the victim.

Answer 4

A combination of network-based tests for the internal infrastructure and application-based tests for the public-facing applications Choosing a combination of network-based and application-based tests specifically tailored for the respective environments is the best approach to comprehensively assess the security of both external (public-facing applications) and internal targets (internal network infrastructure). Network-based tests are suitable for evaluating the internal infrastructure, while application-based tests target public-facing applications. These two approaches complement each other by providing coverage for the different types of assets. Full knowledge testing is more aligned with white-box testing, which might not be as effective for external targets without prior knowledge. Passive reconnaissance is usually a preliminary step and doesn't actively test security controls. External testing only does not provide coverage for internal network infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Answer 5

Reviewing the target company's job listings for technology skill requirements Reviewing job listings can provide insight into the technology stack a company uses based on the skills and experience they are seeking in candidates. This method is passive because it does not require any interaction with the target's systems. DNS lookups involve queries to DNS servers, which may still be considered passive, but it does not yield technology stack information directly. Attempting to connect to the target's network or scanning their IP addresses are active reconnaissance methods that could potentially alert the target to the presence of a reconnaissance activity.

Answer 6

Immediately notify the primary or emergency contact designated by the client to relay your findings confidentially. When encountering potential criminal activity during a penetration test, the tester must communicate this information to the primary or emergency contact within the organization as outlined in the communication plan. It is crucial to handle the situation with confidentiality and let the appropriate parties within the organization manage the legal response. Directly confronting the individual or ignoring the findings are not adhering to professional and ethical standards, and turning off the affected system could hinder further investigation by the appropriate authorities.

Answer 7

Setting up a proxy and using a Frida script to bypass the application's certificate pinning while the traffic routes through the proxy. Modifying the network traffic routing to pass through a proxy would allow an attacker to analyze the encrypted traffic if the attacker can install their own certificate authority on the device and trust it to intercept SSL/TLS communications. Since the mobile banking app employs certificate pinning, this would typically prevent the proxy from intercepting the traffic; however, combining it with a Frida script to hook into the application and bypass the pinning check can successfully enable the interception of network traffic. Frida is a dynamic code instrumentation toolkit that allows testers to change the behavior of apps at runtime. Installing a rogue application version would be possible if the attacker could create one but does not directly solve the challenge of bypassing certificate pinning. Generating a new certificate pair does not bypass pinning, as the app is programmed to only trust a specific certificate. Cloning the server's actual certificate is not practical without access to the server's private key, and the application would still recognize it as non-pinned. Spoofing DNS records would not affect HTTPS traffic in this context, as certificate pinning is designed to resist this kind of attack.

Answer 8

Inform the client and request a token with the correct scope. The correct answer is to inform the client and request a token with the correct scope, as per the test's rules of engagement. Accidentally receiving a token that grants broader access than intended can lead to testing systems that are out of scope, which might be against the policies and potentially illegal. While tempting, using the broader scoped token without authorization would be unethical and potentially a violation of the agreed-upon rules. Continuing with the received token without notifying the client or attempting to limit its privileges on your own are both incorrect actions that could lead to adverse outcomes. Ask Bash

Answer 9

Session fixation In a session fixation attack, the attacker sets a known session ID on an application before the victim logs in, and due to the lack of session rotation upon authentication, the attacker can use this predefined session ID to hijack the session once the victim has logged in. Session rotation is a critical security measure that involves changing the session token after a user logs in to prevent session fixation attacks. The incorrect answers, while they are related to session management in various ways, do not directly exploit the lack of session rotation post-authentication.

Answer 10

Session fixation is a type of session hijacking attack where an attacker exploits web applications that reuse the same session ID across user sessions instead of expiring them. The attacker can then use this fixed session ID to access a victim's account by: 1. Obtaining an old session ID via malware, eavesdropping, or log theft. 1. Getting the victim to authenticate with the application using the old session ID. 1. Using the same session ID to impersonate the victim.

Answer 11

A session replay attack occurs when an attacker captures and reuses a user's authentication credentials (like cookies or tokens) to impersonate the user and gain unauthorized access to a system. This type of attack often exploits insecure session handling and unencrypted communication channels.

Answer 12

Cross-site request forgery (XSRF), also known as CSRF, is an attack that tricks a user into performing actions on a web application where they are authenticated. It typically involves the attacker embedding a malicious link or script in a way that causes the user's browser to execute unauthorized actions on the target application.

Answer 13

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a web application vulnerability that allows an attacker to embed malicious scripts into a web page, which then execute on the browsers of users who visit the page. These attacks can be reflected (user input directly returned in a web response), stored (malicious input stored on a server), or DOM-based (script execution through the manipulation of the Document Object Model on the client side).

Answer 14

net localgroup administrators The net localgroup administrators command displays a list of all the members of the administrators group on a local or remote system. This group typically has the highest level of privileges, and knowing its members is vital for strategizing lateral movement and privilege escalation. The other commands do not provide direct insights into the privileged accounts that are part of the administrators group.

Answer 15

Remove all reverse shells and backdoors installed during the testing The correct answer is to remove all reverse shells and backdoors that were installed during the testing process. This action ensures that no unauthorized entry points remain, which could be exploited by an attacker. Simply uninstalling tools doesn't guarantee that access methods created by those tools are also removed. Changing all passwords could be a prudent post-engagement action but it may not remove any shells that were installed. Checking for updates is important, but it focuses on patch management rather than the removal of intentionally installed access methods.

Answer 16

Mitm6 is a tool used to exploit Windows DNS servers by responding to DHCPv6 messages with a link-local IPv6 address and an attacker-controlled system as the default DNS server. This allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle (on-path) attacks, redirecting traffic to arbitrary destinations.

Answer 17

It performs man-in-the-middle attacks on IPv6 networks. Mitm6 is specifically designed to exploit weaknesses in the configuration and use of IPv6 networks to carry out man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. These attacks can intercept and manipulate traffic to gain unauthorized access to data flows between clients and servers. The incorrect answers provided are related to penetration testing but do not accurately depict the primary function of 'mitm6'. A packet analyzer is used to capture and analyze network traffic, a vulnerability scanner is meant to identify and report potential security holes, and a proxy server is used to redirect client requests to the server.

Answer 18

in The in operator in Python can be used to check if a particular substring exists within a string. This is why it is the correct choice. The += operator is used to append a value to an existing variable, typically used in loops for concatenation or arithmetic operations but doesn't check the existence of a substring. The == operator compares two values for equality, which is not useful when looking for a substring within a larger string. % is the modulus operator in arithmetic operations and can be used as a string formatting operator in Python, but it does not check for substring existence either.

Answer 19

IP addresses, device types, and services Shodan is designed to provide information about devices connected to the internet, such as the types of devices, their IP addresses, and the services they are running. This information is essential for penetration testers to locate potential targets and understand their network landscape. The correct answer is 'IP addresses, device types, and services'. The other options either do not directly relate to the primary information obtained from Shodan queries or only partially describe the vast data Shodan could return, but not as its primary set of information.

Answer 20

Recommend reinforcing the use of mandatory vacations as an operational control, along with auditing account activity during such periods to uncover potential unauthorized access or internal threats. The correct answer involves implementing mandatory vacations as an operational control. Mandatory vacations can potentially reveal fraudulent activities and are part of a good security strategy, as unauthorized access during an employee's absence may indicate account misuse or compromise. Mentioning system hardening ignores the operational control aspect related to employee absence. While job rotation is an operational control, it does not directly address the issue of detecting unauthorized access during an employee's absence. Similarly, user training is always beneficial but does not directly relate to the specific situation presented in the question.

Answer 21

Utilize a jump box located within the client's country to conduct tests and analyze results The correct answer is 'Utilize a jump box located within the client's country to conduct tests and analyze results,' because it addresses the data sovereignty issue by ensuring that any testing and resulting data remain within the country, adhering to local laws while still allowing the penetration tester to perform their duties from a remote location. Instantiating a VPN would not ensure compliance with data sovereignty as the data might transit through other jurisdictions. Encrypting all test results has merit for securing the data but doesn't prevent data from leaving the country. Testing only public-facing services may still risk violating data sovereignty laws if any resulting data is stored or analyzed outside the target country.

Answer 22

Run the Nmap script engine (NSE) with the http-enum script to locate directories that might reveal the web server's configuration and content. The correct option automates testing for common vulnerabilities on web servers after an initial port scan shows that web services are available. The script provided by Nmap for http-enum can be used to enumerate potential files and directories on the web server, which is a logical next step when ports 80 and 443 are open. The incorrect options either are not designed for analyzing web vulnerabilities directly (such as a DNS enumeration script or a brute force attack script on an SSH service), or they do not maintain a degree of stealth (like launching a full-scale aggressive vulnerability scan which can be noisy and alert a network's intrusion detection systems).

Answer 23

Recommend the disabling of unnecessary services to comply with the principle of least functionality. Choosing to 'Recommend the disabling of unnecessary services to comply with the principle of least functionality' is correct as it aligns with PCI DSS Requirement 2.2.2, which states that services and protocols not directly needed to perform the device's specified function should be disabled. Simply encrypting cardholder data, performing asset inventory, or enhancing intrusion detection would not directly address the specific issue of unnecessary services running. While reviewing existing SLAs can be part of compliance checks, it does not address the immediate concern of extraneous services that could pose a security risk.

Answer 24

Search for networks using the SSID associated with the target organization. To identify and analyze potential target wireless networks using WiGLE, the most effective first step is to search for networks based on the SSID that is known or suspected to be associated with the target organization. This first step assumes preliminary information has been gathered about the organization, such as their naming conventions for network resources. Incorrect choices involve actions either not applicable to WiGLE or less efficient initial steps.

Answer 25

Medusa -h 192.168.1.50 -U users.txt -P passwords.txt -M ssh The correct answer is Medusa -h 192.168.1.50 -U users.txt -P passwords.txt -M ssh. This is because the '-h' flag specifies the target host's IP address, '-U' designates the file that contains potential usernames, and '-P' indicates the file with potential passwords. Finally, '-M' is used to define the type of service or protocol to attack, in this case, the secure remote login protocol typically associated with port 22. The incorrect answers suggest syntax that either does not correctly define the parameters for this protocol or uses invalid or nonexistent flags for the Medusa command-line syntax.

Answer 26

TCP SYN (half-open) scan TCP connect scan is regarded as less stealthy because it completes the three-way handshake, making the scan more detectable by security devices. A SYN scan, however, is more discreet as it sends a SYN packet and if a SYN-ACK is received, it does not complete the handshake but sends an RST instead. This behavior is sometimes referred to as a 'half-open' scan because it doesn't establish a full TCP connection, thereby reducing its footprint and likelihood of detection.

Answer 27

True It is a common misconception that wireless network penetration tests can only be conducted on-site. In fact, there are tools and technologies available that allow penetration testers to perform wireless network tests remotely. Some tests may require on-site presence, especially for capturing traffic and understanding the physical environment, but it is not a strict requirement for all wireless network tests.

Answer 28

Schedule an immediate, one-on-one discussion to explain the findings to either the primary or technical contact before wider communication. The correct answer, providing an immediate, one-on-one discussion with the primary or technical contact, is the most effective method to de-escalate and provide clear communication. It allows for a focused environment where concerns can be directly addressed and further distress to the team can be mitigated. The remaining options are not ideal as they either raise alarm (e.g., sending a company-wide email), lack immediacy and personal interaction (e.g., writing a detailed report first), or may create unnecessary confusion (e.g., presenting the issues in a meeting without prior notice).

Answer 29

Introduce random delays between consecutive scans The correct answer is 'Introduce random delays between consecutive scans'. This technique minimizes the chances of triggering query throttling mechanisms because it mimics normal user behavior instead of a scripted series of rapid requests that could raise flags about potential automated scanning activities. 'Setting scan configurations for high speed and maximum requests' is incorrect because this could easily overwhelm the application's controls, potentially triggering throttling or causing a denial of service. 'Scanning with the default rate limit' might not be effective because it doesn't take into account the specific thresholds that can trigger throttling on the target application. 'Disabling security controls before scanning' is not only unethical but often illegal and can result in severe consequences.

Answer 30

SP 800-53 The appropriate publication, SP 800-53, provides a catalog of security and privacy controls that federal information systems need to implement. This standard is crucial for penetration testers working on systems that need to comply with federal guidelines. SP 800-66 is specific to compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule; thus, it focuses on health information. SP 800-34 pertains to strategies for IT system contingency planning rather than security controls. Lastly, CIS Controls are developed by the Center for Internet Security and, while valuable, are not specifically a federal standard for information systems.

Answer 31

regulations/guidlelines specific to HIPAA

Answer 32

provides a catalog of security and privacy controls that federal information systems need to implement

Answer 33

pertains to strategies for IT system contingency planning rather than security controls

Answer 34

Ensure the cloud service provider's policy for penetration testing is followed. Understanding and adhering to the cloud service provider's policy is most important because it dictates what actions can and cannot be taken within the provider's environment. Conducting activities beyond allowed limits may result in account suspension or legal consequences. While knowing the tools to be used and assessing if the organization inadvertently comes into scope are also important, they follow the guidelines outlined by the providers' policies for testing.

Answer 35

CloudBrute CloudBrute is specifically designed to discover an organization's cloud environments. It takes a domain or keyword and systematically searches through permutations against popular cloud services, looking for misconfigured resources or hidden treasures. While other tools also focus on subdomain enumeration, they do not have the specific capability to enumerate cloud service subdomains and resources as effectively as CloudBrute.

Answer 36

Deploy a reverse shell with a listener on the attacker's machine The correct answer is 'Deploy a reverse shell with a listener on the attacker's machine'. A reverse shell is designed to bypass firewall restrictions by initiating the connection from within the target network back to the attacker's controlled environment. This type of connection is less likely to be flagged by security systems compared to a bind shell, which requires the attacker to connect directly into the compromised system, thus triggering firewalls or intrusion detection systems. A VPN can provide secure communications but is not designed for establishing covert remote access from an exploited system. SSH is a secure method for remote administration but does not inherently grant persistence or stealth. Lastly, installing a new software package increases the footprint on the system and could be very conspicuous to system administrators.

Answer 37

Engage in passive eavesdropping to analyze communication patterns and intercept cryptographic keys When dealing with short-range wireless protocols utilized by many IoT devices, passive eavesdropping is a common initial attack vector. This technique allows the penetration tester to acquire a deep understanding of the communication patterns and encryption keys in use without alerting the system to their presence. By learning about the security mechanisms in play discreetly, more advanced and targeted attacks can be designed. Attempting to brute-force the key may be ineffective and alert administrators due to multiple failed attempts. Similarly, sniffing may only capture information while active transmission is taking place and could potentially be logged or noticed. Replay attacks require specific transaction conditions and timing, and modern devices often have measures in place such as timestamps and unique transaction identifiers to mitigate such threats.

Answer 38

Using Over-Pass-The-Hash (passing the ticket) to access resources with Kerberos authentication. Using Over-Pass-The-Hash (passing the ticket) is a technique that allows an attacker to authenticate to services that leverage Kerberos for authentication using a stolen ticket without the need to crack the password. This method is more stealthy than Pass-The-Hash, which can be detected with modern security systems. PowerShell remoting can potentially leave obvious logs, Mimikatz is useful but can be detected by antivirus software, and brute-forcing would be noisy and likely draw attention from system administrators.

Answer 39

To protect sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. The primary purpose of maintaining confidentiality is to ensure that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals. This is crucial in penetration testing, as testers may come across personal, financial, or other types of protected data. Disclosing such data to unauthorized parties could lead to legal issues, loss of reputation, or financial harm to the organization. The other options presented are related to security, but they do not directly describe the purpose of maintaining confidentiality.

Answer 40

Persistent backdoor accounts left from legacy firmware iterations Backdoor accounts, which are sometimes left by manufacturers for maintenance purposes, may not be removed or secured over time, especially with outdated firmware that is no longer supported or updated. These can provide attackers with an easy entry point into the system. The other options could be symptoms of outdated equipment but do not inherently represent security-specific risks posed by outdated firmware or hardware as clearly as the issue of backdoor accounts.

Answer 41

Using steganography to embed the data within an image file Steganography is the practice of hiding a file, message, image, or video within another file, message, image, or video. The correct answer is steganography because it is a method of hiding data within other non-suspicious data, making it difficult for intrusion detection systems to identify the hidden data or the act of exfiltration. Other methods such as encoding or encrypting data can still produce network traffic that might be recognized by an IDS, especially if it uses atypical ports or protocols or if substantial volumes of data are being transmitted.

Answer 42

Encrypting the report and sending it via an encrypted email service, accessible only to authorized stakeholders with the decryption key. Using an encrypted email ensures that the contents of the report are protected during transit and can only be accessed by individuals who have the encryption key or password. This maintains confidentiality and integrity of the findings. Using a standard email without encryption risks exposure of sensitive data to unauthorized individuals due to potential interception. A cloud service without proper security controls or a password-protected public website fails to control access appropriately, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access the report. Physical documents can be secure but are not practical for distributing to multiple stakeholders, especially those in different geographical locations.

Answer 43

To enhance scanning capabilities with advanced vulnerability detection and network discovery NSE scripts are used to automate networking tasks for enhanced scanning capabilities, such as advanced vulnerability detection, exploitation, and network discovery. This is because NSE scripts extend the basic functionality of Nmap scans with scripts that can probe systems in more depth to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or gather more detailed information.

Answer 44

Conducting fuzz testing by sending a variety of malformed inputs to the application The use of fuzz testing is the best answer because fuzz testing involves providing invalid, unexpected, or random data as input to the network application. The intent is to stress test the application to see if it can handle the data without crashing or misbehaving, which could lead to data corruption. It directly targets the application's ability to manage data integrity when facing incorrect input. Overloading the application with a buffer overflow is also a valid attack vector but is more specifically aimed at causing a memory error that could result in unauthorized access or a crash rather than corruption of data within the application. Jamming and intercepting traffic are usually aimed at disrupting communications rather than corrupting the data within an application.

Answer 45

Conducting denial of service attacks on wireless networks The correct answer is 'Conducting denial of service attacks on wireless networks', as mdk4 is a tool used for testing WiFi networks for vulnerabilities, including the ability to perform disruptive operations. It is not used for decrypting WiFi passwords, finding hidden networks, or mapping network topology, which are different aspects of wireless network analysis and penetration testing.

Answer 46

Categorize each vulnerability by its risk rating referencing a recognized framework The correct answer is 'Categorize each vulnerability by its risk rating referencing a recognized framework.' This is essential because utilizing a standardized risk rating framework facilitates a clear, objective, and consistent analysis of the vulnerabilities. This enables stakeholders to understand the severity and potential impact of each issue on the business, prioritizing remediation efforts accordingly. Answer 'Provide a detailed technical description for each discovered issue' is not the best option because it only communicates the technical details without prioritization. While 'Suggest immediate system downtime for all identified vulnerabilities' may be appropriate in some critical circumstances, it is not a recommended general approach as it lacks an assessment of the individual risks and impacts. 'List the vulnerabilities in alphabetical order' does not provide any indication of their importance or potential impact, thus this is not an effective way to convey criticality to the report audience.

Answer 47

BuiltWith Using 'BuiltWith' is correct because it is a tool that provides information on the technology behind websites, including where the site is hosted. It can detect content management systems, server technologies, analytics tools, and many other details that indicate the use of third-party services.

Answer 48

Executive summary The executive summary is the most appropriate section to emphasize in a report intended for the C-Suite as it provides a high-level overview of the penetration test outcomes, key findings, and possible strategic implications or risks to the business. The C-suite executives are interested in how security findings could impact business goals and objectives, as well as an understanding of risk in terms which facilitate decision-making at the strategic level. Other detailed sections of the report, while important, are typically more relevant to technical staff who need to understand and implement the specific technical remediation measures.

Answer 49

False This statement is false because switches are designed to send packets only to the designated port based on the MAC address, starkly contrasting with hubs, which sends packets to all ports. To capture all network traffic, a penetration tester would need to perform a specific attack, such as ARP spoofing, to trick the switch into sending them traffic intended for another host, or otherwise configure the port for mirroring (also known as port spanning).

Answer 50

To systematically browse and map out the website's pages and links for further reconnaissance and vulnerability discovery. The main purpose of using a web crawler in penetration testing is to systematically browse and map out the website's pages and links, which can reveal the overall structure of the site and help identify potential areas for further exploration or vulnerability assessment. It is an essential tool for gathering information about a target website during the reconnaissance phase. While web crawlers can be used for other purposes such as SEO optimization and data extraction, in the context of penetration testing, the focus is on understanding the website's layout and discovering hidden or unlinked content that might be vulnerable to attack.

Answer 51

Python Python is the correct answer because it has powerful libraries such as Beautiful Soup and lxml, which are specifically designed for parsing and interacting with HTML and XML documents. These libraries make it easy to navigate the document tree and retrieve the information needed, such as form field names. Perl, while powerful in text manipulation, does not have as streamlined libraries for parsing HTML as Python. Ruby and JavaScript can also be used for parsing HTML, but Python's libraries and widespread usage for such tasks generally make it a more efficient choice in scenarios involving HTML parsing in penetration testing.

Answer 52

privilegedebug sekurlsalogonpasswords The correct answer is privilege::debug sekurlsa::logonpasswords because when using Mimikatz, one must first obtain the proper privileges to interact with the system processes. The privilege::debug command grants the necessary rights to access sensitive areas of the operating system, and the sekurlsa::logonpasswords command then extracts the plaintext passwords, hashes, and other details for accounts that are logged in or have logged in previously. The other options listed either represent incorrect or non-existent commands in the context of Mimikatz and thus would not achieve the desired outcome.

Answer 53

Performing static analysis of the binary to understand its structure and behavior without executing it. Reverse engineering the binary through static analysis is the correct answer as it allows the examiner to inspect the code without executing it, which prevents potential harm to the examiner's system or network. Simply executing the binary would be unsafe as it might execute malicious functions. Disassembling and using a sandbox, though both useful techniques, are incorrect because disassembly is part of reverse engineering and using a sandbox still involves execution of the binary; hence it does not match the constraint of analyzing without execution as stated in the question. Decompilation alone is insufficient without the broader context and processes involved in reverse engineering.

Answer 54

Metadata service attack The correct answer is 'Metadata service attack'. This type of attack takes advantage of open access to the metadata service, which often contains sensitive information, such as credentials or signed tokens that can be used to escalate privileges or move laterally within the cloud infrastructure. A 'Misconfigured cloud assets' answer does not describe a specific type of attack but rather a condition that could lead to multiple types of attacks. The 'Privilege escalation' answer can be a result of a successful metadata service attack but is not directly the method of exploiting the misconfigured service itself. 'Account takeover' refers to gaining control over another user's cloud account, which is not immediately achievable through exploiting the metadata service alone.

Answer 55

False Vulnerability scanning tools cannot automatically adjust their scanning techniques based on the detected network topology. Penetration testers must understand the network topology and manually configure the scanning tools to ensure effective and thorough scanning. This involves selecting the appropriate scanning methods and settings that align with the network's architecture and design in order to minimize the risk of disruption and maximize the detection of potential vulnerabilities.

Answer 56

Use a third-party service to obtain DNS records The correct answer is 'Use a third-party service to obtain DNS records'. This method allows the penetration tester to gather information about the organization's subdomains without interacting with the target's name servers and potentially revealing their intentions. The third party has likely already collected this data, so the activity is less likely to be traced back to the penetration tester when compared to more direct methods such as querying the organization's name servers. Using an outdated DNS tool might not provide current information. Speculative execution of domain names is not a practical method for DNS enumeration, as it wouldn't necessarily provide accurate results since not every permutation of a domain name is valid or in use. Analyzing web traffic requires direct interaction and is an active reconnaissance technique.

Answer 57

Urgency The urgency in the email is crafted to compel the recipient to act quickly, thus exploiting the 'Urgency' principle of influence. This method is commonly utilized in phishing campaigns to create a sense of immediate threat, making the targets less likely to think critically and more likely to comply with the attacker's request without proper scrutiny.

Answer 58

Exploiting the unpatched Windows Kernel vulnerability Using a kernel exploit to gain higher privileges is likely to be successful if you've identified that the kernel on the target system is unpatched and vulnerable. Kernel exploits can provide the highest level of system access, often bypassing security mechanisms and giving the attacker full control over the system. In this scenario, exploiting the unpatched Windows Kernel vulnerability is a direct and effective method for privilege escalation to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. Changing group policy settings or installing unauthorized software would generally require administrator-level privileges to begin with and would thus not be feasible from a limited shell access. Although buffer overflow vulnerabilities can lead to privilege escalation, they are not directly related to the kernel vulnerability in this context, making the kernel exploit the more appropriate choice.

Answer 59

TTP stands for Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, which describe the behavior patterns and operational methods used by adversaries during attacks. This term is part of threat intelligence and is used to characterize and predict threat activities

Answer 60

* Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF) * comprehensive framework designed for performing penetration tests and security assessments. * created by the Open Information Systems Security Group (OISSG) * provides detailed guidelines for assessing security across various areas, such as networks, applications, and physical security. * is outdated, with no active updates since 2005

Answer 61

The Open Information Systems Security Group (OISSG) is the organization behind the creation of the Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF). The OISSG developed this detailed framework to provide a structured methodology for conducting penetration tests and security assessments.

Answer 62

Covenant Covenant is the correct answer because it is known as a .NET based post-exploitation framework designed for command and control of compromised systems, and it is used collaboratively among penetration testers. Metasploit, although a widely used tool for exploitation tasks, is not exclusively a .NET based framework. Empire was a popular post-exploitation framework but it was written in Python and PowerShell, not .NET. Responder is a tool used for LLMNR, NBT-NS and MDNS poisoning and does not serve as a post-exploitation command and control framework.

Answer 63

Recommend the implementation of biometric verification for both the server room entry and individual cabinet locks. The correct answer is introducing biometric security measures heightens the difficulty for unauthorized individuals to gain access, by requiring a unique physical attribute of an authorized person, such as a fingerprint or iris scan. This recommendation is appropriate as it complements the existing surveillance system, which by itself, may not deter or prevent unwanted access but can help in after-the-fact investigations. C is incorrect as it suggests solely increasing the complexity of the passcode, which, despite being a step in the right direction, lacks the robustness of biometric verification and can still be vulnerable to social engineering or other forms of compromise. A and B are incorrect because while they may assist in after-the-fact investigations by monitoring or alerting to unauthorized access, they do not directly strengthen the entry control mechanism, and hence, are not as effective in improving physical access security.

Answer 64

**Packet Storm** The correct answer is Packet Storm. It is a widely recognized source for tracking the latest vulnerabilities, exploits, and security information and offers a comprehensive database which penetration testers can use to find specific exploit code for known vulnerabilities. The incorrect answers, although they might offer security information or vulnerability databases, are not as specialized as Packet Storm for the purpose of finding specific exploit codes.

Answer 65

Packet Storm is a website that provides resources for penetration testing, including news, exploit information, and actual exploit code. It is a useful repository for penetration testers to access when researching and leveraging vulnerabilities during testing

Answer 66

**The private key associated with the certificate has been compromised.** The correct answer is 'The private key associated with the certificate has been compromised.' Revocation of an SSL certificate is a critical action typically performed to mitigate the risk associated with a compromised private key, as anyone with access to it could potentially decrypt or spoof secure communications. The other options, while associated with SSL certificates, do not directly relate to the immediate need for revocation. Certificate chains and SHA-256 hashes are components for ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of certificates, but they do not constitute reasons for revocation. Certificate expiration is a natural lifecycle event and does not require revocation, as the certificate will become invalid at the expiration date.

Answer 67

**Installing a rootkit to conceal the presence of your tools and activities** The use of a rootkit is a sophisticated method for maintaining access while avoiding detection since it can intercept and alter system calls and manipulate the normal behavior of the operating system to hide the presence of processes, files, network connections, and logs associated with the penetration tester's activities. The complexity and stealthiness of rootkits make them particularly effective at evading detection from system monitoring tools. Cleaning log files might remove evidence of initial access, but it's a detectable action and can alert administrators due to missing logs. Disabling logging could raise immediate suspicion when log files stop updating. Using non-standard ports could help to hide network traffic but does not cover tracks on the host system itself. Renaming tools with inconspicuous names does little to prevent detection from system or network monitoring, and frequent permission changes can be suspicious and are likely to be scrutinized.

Answer 68

**False** The statement is false. Both Ruby and Python are multi-paradigm languages and support metaprogramming techniques, which include the capacity for runtime code generation. Particularly, Ruby is known for its powerful metaprogramming capabilities. This question tests the test taker's knowledge of programming language characteristics and dispels a common misconception that a language's primary paradigm limits its capabilities. It's important for penetration testers to recognize the breadth of functionality provided by various programming languages to select the best tool for the task

Answer 69

**Confidentiality** The term 'Confidentiality' refers to the principle that ensures sensitive information is accessible only to those authorized to have access, and it's a core tenet of information security alongside integrity and availability (commonly referred to as the CIA triad). 'Authenticity' refers to the assurance that a message, transaction, or other form of data communication is from the source it claims to be from. 'Integrity' ensures that information has not been tampered with and 'Availability' refers to the information being accessible to authorized users when needed.

Answer 70

**Pass-the-Hash Toolkit** The answer is 'Pass-the-Hash Toolkit' because it is designed to use hash values to authenticate to another system using the extracted NTLM or LM hash directly, bypassing the need for the actual plaintext password, which is consistent with the pass-the-hash attack method. 'John the Ripper' is a password cracking tool mainly used for cracking hashes offline, not for authentication with hashes. 'Password spraying' is an attack method that attempts to log in to many accounts with a few commonly used passwords. 'Rainbow tables' are precomputed tables for reversing cryptographic hash functions, mainly used for cracking password hashes, not for pass-the-hash attacks.

Answer 71

designed to use hash values to authenticate to another system using the extracted NTLM or LM hash directly, bypassing the need for the actual plaintext password, which is consistent with the pass-the-hash attack method Mimikatz and Metasploit include functionality for pass-the-hash attacks

Answer 72

**Local Security Authority Subsystem Service** * Windows process responsible for enforcing security policies, managing user authentication, and handling password changes * generates access tokens used to verify users' privileges. * Attackers often target LSASS to extract credential information, such as NTLM hashes, for pass-the-hash attacks or other forms of lateral movement

Answer 73

**Burp Suite** Burp Suite is the correct answer because it offers a full suite of web application testing tools, including an automated scanner for identifying vulnerabilities like XSS and an intercepting proxy for real-time HTTP request manipulation, which is crucial for testing reflected XSS. OWASP ZAP also provides similar features, but Burp Suite is typically recognized for its more advanced manual testing capabilities, including intercepting and modifying HTTP requests, making it the better match for the requirement specified in the question. Nikto is mainly a web server scanner and is not designed for intercepting HTTP traffic or digging deep into specific vulnerability classes such as XSS. Gobuster is focused on brute-forcing URIs, DNS subdomains, and virtual host names on target web servers and does not provide the required functionality for testing XSS vulnerabilities.

Answer 74

**Hping** Hping is a network tool that can send custom packets with a varying degree of complexity and analyze responses, making it specifically appropriate for crafting custom ICMP echo requests (ping) and other types of traffic, which is vital for penetration testing and network security assessments. Nmap, while versatile in network scanning, isn't specifically tailored for packet crafting as Hping is. Tcpdump is primarily a packet sniffer and does not have the capability to craft packets. Netcat is known primarily for its network utility for reading from and writing to network connections using TCP or UDP, but it does not have the capacity to craft ICMP packets like Hping.

Answer 75

network tool used for packet crafting, capable of sending custom packets over different protocols (TCP, UDP, ICMP). It allows penetration testers to perform tasks such as SYN scans, denial-of-service attacks, and firewall testing

Answer 76

command-line network packet capture tool used by penetration testers and network administrators to analyze network traffic in real time. It allows users to filter packets based on various parameters, making it useful for identifying issues or gathering data about communication on a network

Answer 77

**The target system is likely running a Linux-based operating system.** The output from Nmap provides information about the services running and their versions. The correct answer can be deduced by examining the provided versions and services. OpenSSH 7.2p2 suggests a Linux-based system, as it mentions Ubuntu in the service version detail. Apache 2.4.18 further confirms this as it is running on Ubuntu. The presence of Samba smbd in the service versions also aligns with a Linux environment that is configured to share files with Windows systems. The incorrect answers indicate either a different operating system or a conclusion that is not directly supported by the information given.

Answer 78

**Performing a direct WHOIS lookup using an updated WHOIS client or service** While options such as search engines, Internet Archive, or DNS enumeration techniques might offer insights into a domain's various attributes, for obtaining the latest registration and point of contact details, directly querying current WHOIS database records ensures the most accurate and time-critical information. Other sources may supplement WHOIS data but are not as reliable for up-to-the-minute record accuracy.

Answer 79

**FOCA** The correct answer is FOCA, which stands for Fingerprinting Organization with Collected Archives. This tool is specifically designed to download public documents from a given domain and analyze the metadata contained within those documents to extract internal information such as network shares, domain names, user names, and more. This information can be extremely valuable during the reconnaissance phase of a penetration test. The other options provided are either not primarily used for metadata analysis or are related to different phases of penetration testing.

Answer 80

Open Web Application Security Project

Answer 81

**ARP poisoning** ARP poisoning is the correct answer because it allows the penetration tester to intercept traffic in a switched network environment. By sending falsified ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) messages onto the network, the attacker can link their MAC address with the IP address of another host (usually the gateway), causing the traffic of the target host to pass through the attacker's machine, allowing packet capture and analysis. Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) is incorrect as it is not a practical sniffing approach for an attacker since it requires configuring the switch, which is not typically viable during a penetration test. The remaining options are incorrect because they either do not apply to sniffing network traffic (like Subnetting) or are less effective in a switched network environment without additional network manipulation (like promiscuous mode alone).

Answer 82

**ARP poisoning to intercept and modify traffic between two systems on a local network.** Ettercap is highly effective for ARP poisoning, which is a technique used to intercept the traffic between two hosts on a network. Its ability to conduct ARP spoofing allows a penetration tester to reroute traffic through their own system, permitting them to sniff packets or even modify them on-the-fly before forwarding them to the intended recipient. This makes ARP poisoning the best scenario for making use of Ettercap's capabilities, as it is designed specifically to handle such types of attacks efficiently. Other options, like creating a reverse shell or code signing, are unrelated to Ettercap's core functionality and thus are incorrect in this context.

Answer 83

* network security tool used for performing on-path (formerly known as man-in-the-middle) attacks on a local network * supports sniffing, intercepting, and altering traffic in real time and includes plugins for additional network attack capabilities

Answer 84

**ARP scan** The correct answer is ARP scan. An ARP scan is an efficient and less intrusive method of enumerating live hosts on a local subnet by resolving IP addresses to MAC addresses within the same broadcast domain. It is less likely to be noticed by intrusion detection systems compared to more aggressive scanning techniques that generate a larger amount of network traffic. ICMP echo request might be blocked by firewalls or might trigger IDS systems due to its commonly known usage in scanning activities. Service version scan is not directly used to enumerate active hosts, but rather to identify service versions running on known up hosts. Port scan with SYN packets generates SYN packets, which can be easily detected by IDS systems due to their typical association with reconnaissance activities.

Answer 85

**Sending the report via a secure file transfer method with encryption and providing a checksum or cryptographic hash for integrity checking.** Using a secure file transfer method with encryption, such as SFTP, HTTPS, or a secure file-sharing platform, guarantees that the report remains confidential during transmission, preventing unauthorized access. Additionally, implementing a checksum or hash can provide integrity by allowing the recipient to verify that the report has not been altered during transmission. Option A is correct because an encrypted email service may not ensure the integrity of large files and could still be vulnerable to interception if not paired with file encryption. Option B lacks encryption and therefore does not secure the confidentiality of the report. Option C, physically mailing the report, may ensure confidentiality but has no mechanisms to handle integrity verification.

Answer 86

**Dictionary Attack**: This involves systematically attempting to log in **using a predefined list of possible passwords** (a "dictionary"), often paired with a single username or user account **Credential Stuffing**: This uses a **large dataset of username-password pairs (typically harvested from data breaches)** to attempt logins on various accounts or services. It leverages the tendency of users to reuse credentials across platforms

Answer 87

**Recon-ng** Recon-ng is a full-featured Web Reconnaissance framework written in Python, designed to perform comprehensive OSINT gathering from various public sources. It has modules to interact with different data sources like websites, whois records, social networks, and more. This makes it the correct answer. Wireshark, on the other hand, is a network protocol analyzer for network troubleshooting, analysis, and communications protocol development, not primarily for OSINT gathering. EnCase is a forensic tool used in digital investigations and does not specialize in gathering OSINT. OpenSSL is a software library for applications that require secure communications over networks, and is not an OSINT gathering tool.

Answer 88

* modular web reconnaissance framework that facilitates and organizes OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) work * operates in a Metasploit-like manner with plug-ins to automate various types of information gathering tasks

Answer 89

**Implement role-based access control to enforce separation of duties.** The correct answer is the implementation of role-based access control (RBAC). RBAC is an administrative control that ensures employees are only granted access rights that are necessary to perform their jobs. In this scenario, RBAC would prevent managers from arbitrarily increasing their privileges, as their roles do not require such access, thereby enforcing separation of duties. While mandatory vacations could highlight if any inappropriate access or system dependencies exist, they do not prevent the escalation of privileges. Time-of-day restrictions also do not prevent the managers from granting themselves higher access during allowed hours. Implementing multifactor authentication would increase security but does not directly address the issue of inappropriate privilege escalation.

Answer 90

**Dictionary Attack** A dictionary attack uses a list of words that are most likely to be used as passwords. This list can be compiled from numerous sources and can be customized to target specific users based on their personal information or commonly used password patterns. Unlike brute force attacks that try every possible combination, dictionary attacks are more efficient by using a curated set of potential passwords.

Answer 91

**Potential remnants of malware execution** The presence of an unusually large number of .tmp files in a system directory could suggest that malware or unauthorized scripts have been executed on the system. These files could be remnants of malicious software that was downloaded and executed to compromise the system. It's important for penetration testers to recognize such abnormalities as potential indicators of prior compromise. Large log file sizes might simply indicate verbose logging settings or a long period without maintenance. Standard backup files are common for recovery purposes and do not necessarily suggest a compromise. Sequentially named document files could be a sign of normal user or system activity rather than a compromise.

Answer 92

**Outfit the data center and its perimeter with video surveillance.** Implementing biometric controls is a form of strengthening security, but it does not directly relate to monitoring. Securing administrative interfaces improves management of systems but does not address the lack of surveillance. Installing an access control vestibule limits entry points without addressing monitoring. Outfitting the area with video surveillance directly improves the organization's monitoring capabilities.

Answer 93

**Install an access control vestibule that requires authentication before entry to the secure area.** The correct answer is to install an access control vestibule, as it is specifically designed to prevent tailgating by enforcing a single person entry. A vestibule often has two sets of doors with an authentication process in between, ensuring that only one person can enter after authentication. A man trap is also a valid physical security measure, but it generally implies a more restrictive environment that may not be suitable for all organizations. Additional proximity cards or more frequent guard patrols would not necessarily prevent tailgating, as they do not address the issue of single-entry authentication.

Answer 94

**--osscan-limit -O -T2** Option B is correct because the -O flag in Nmap is used for operating system detection. However, when trying to maintain a lower profile to avoid detection by an IDS, it's important to adjust the timing of the scan to make it slower and less aggressive. Option A is incorrect because it speeds up the scan, which increases the chances of detection. Option C is incorrect because the --osscan-limit option limits OS detection to promising targets and -T2 makes the scan quite slow but does not specify stealth measures. Option D is incorrect because -O merely activates OS detection without considering stealth or timing concerns.

Answer 95

Restricts OS detection to hosts that respond to probes, minimizing unnecessary traffic, which helps reduce suspicion.

Answer 96

**Clone a known trusted site and slightly modify it to collect user credentials.** The correct answer is to clone a known trusted site and slightly modify it (e.g., a login page of their webmail) to collect user credentials. This approach is considered the most effective because it presents a familiar interface to the target, thereby increasing the likelihood of the phishing attack being successful. In contrast, replicating an exact copy of a website may raise red flags if the URL or security certificates don't match, while modifying a company's public website or sending unrelated documents might not be as convincing or relevant to the targeted individual.

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