Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis Exam Practice

During a security assessment, you identify a suspicious browser extension installed on a client's system. Which of the following characteristics would MOST likely indicate that the browser extension is being used to maintain persistence and perform malicious activities?

The extension requests excessive permissions and runs background scripts even when the browser is closed. Excessive permissions and the ability to run background scripts even when the browser is closed are strong indicators that the extension could be used for malicious activities and to maintain persistence on the system.

Before starting a penetration test, several critical steps must be documented to ensure a clear and organized process. Which of the following steps ensures that the organization's senior management has formally approved the test, acknowledges the risks, and outlines responsible parties and legal considerations?

Authorization

Once a penetration test report has been written, what is the primary purpose of conducting a technical peer review?

To validate the findings, reduce personal bias, and improve the overall quality of the report through feedback from other PenTest professionals. The main goal of a technical peer review is to validate the findings in the report, identify any errors or oversights, reduce the influence of personal bias, and enhance the report's overall quality. Peer reviews help ensure that the PenTest is thorough and that the recommendations are both accurate and actionable.

What is the primary purpose of using the Internet Archive, also known as the Wayback Machine, in OSINT enumeration?

To view a website's content as it existed on a specific date The Internet Archive, or Wayback Machine, is a tool that allows a PenTester to see a website as it existed on a specific date. This can help in finding old articles, outdated software, or sensitive information that was once present on the site.

Which security standard simplifies the connection process for consumer devices and home wireless networks but is vulnerable to remote and local attacks if the PIN feature is enabled (default setting on many home routers) or the wireless access point is not physically secured?

WPS Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) was an enhancement for WPA designed to simplify the deployment of home wireless networks. A vulnerability in its implementation makes it possible to brute-force the PIN used for simplified connecting in a relatively short amount of time, making it trivial to recover the WPA password.

What might a PenTester find using strategic search engine enumeration?

A Word document saved as "passwords" Strategic search engine enumeration, aka Google Hacking, can produce a great deal of research on the target that can frame an attack. Queries combine special search operators to generate the most relevant information, such as a Word document saved as "passwords".

During a penetration test, you need to establish a remote shell on a compromised target. You are considering using either a bind shell or a reverse shell. What is a key reason why a reverse shell is generally more effective for bypassing firewall restrictions compared to a bind shell?

A reverse shell connection is initiated by the target machine, which is less likely to be blocked by firewalls because it mimics outbound traffic. Reverse shells are effective in bypassing firewall restrictions because the connection is initiated by the compromised target, making it appear as outbound traffic, which firewalls typically allow.

Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates a potential vulnerability in the implementation of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) that could lead to unauthorized access?

A developer mistakenly uses a weak key for signing a JWT, allowing an attacker to forge a valid signature and create a token with arbitrary claims. A developer mistakenly uses a weak key for signing a JWT accurately describes a vulnerability where a weak signing key can be exploited. An attacker could create a token with any claims, bypassing authentication checks, which exemplifies a serious security risk in JWT implementation.

A mid-sized technology company has been experiencing issues with fraudulent activities in their finance department. To address this, the company decides to implement job rotation among its employees. As a security consultant, you are tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of this new policy. Which of the following outcomes BEST demonstrates the successful application of job rotation in mitigating fraud risk?

A discrepancy in financial records is discovered by an employee who recently rotated into the finance department, leading to the identification of fraudulent activities. A discrepancy in financial records being discovered by an employee who recently rotated into the finance department, leading to the identification of fraudulent activities, directly demonstrates the successful application of job rotation in mitigating fraud risk. By having fresh eyes on the financial records, the company was able to identify and address fraudulent activities, which is a primary goal of implementing job rotation.

A penetration testing team performs post-engagement activities after a PenTest exercise. The team addresses which area?

Account cleanup Removing tester-created credentials should take place during post-engagement cleanup. It is possible that during the exercise high-level credentials were added or manipulated. The system should be returned to its previous state.

What makes SysAdmin contacts a valuable target of Open-Source Information Gathering Tools (OSINT)?

Administrators have elevated privileges Administrators have elevated privileges within a network is the correct answer. If malicious actors steal their credentials, malicious actors have skipped the need to elevate privileges.

You are an IT security manager at a mid-sized company. During a routine security awareness training session, you explain the risks associated with USB drop attacks. A few days later, an employee reports finding a USB drive in the company parking lot. They are unsure whether to plug it into their computer to check its contents. As the IT security manager, what is the BEST course of action to apply in this situation?

Advise the employee to hand over the USB drive to the IT department for a safe examination. Advising the employee to hand over the USB drive to the IT department is the best course of action because it ensures that the USB drive is handled by professionals who can safely examine its contents without risking the company's network security. The IT department can use specialized tools and isolated environments to check for malicious software without exposing the company's systems to potential threats.

After completing a penetration test, you need to preserve important artifacts for documentation and future reference. Which of the following actions should you take to ensure that these artifacts are properly preserved?

Archive network traffic capture files and tool output logs for future analysis. Archiving network traffic capture files and tool output logs is a direct action to preserve important artifacts. These files provide detailed insights into the test activities and are essential for documentation, analysis, and future reference.

Which of the following is a common IAM misconfiguration in cloud environments that a pentester should look for?

Assigning broad permissions that grant users more access than needed When broad permissions are assigned, users may have more access than they require, violating the Principle of Least Privilege. This creates a significant security risk, as unauthorized access to sensitive resources could occur.

During a penetration test, the pentester decides to use a password spraying attack against an organization's user accounts. Which approach would be the most effective way to carry out this attack while minimizing the risk of detection?

Attempt the same password across multiple accounts over a long period. A password spraying attack involves using a common password against multiple accounts to avoid triggering account lockouts. Spreading the attempts over time further reduces the risk of detection by avoiding rapid failed login attempts that might alert monitoring systems.

An organization is planning to perform a security assessment to identify vulnerabilities in its network. Which of the following approaches will provide the MOST detailed information about internal system configurations, installed software, and user-specific settings?

Authenticated scan An authenticated scan uses valid credentials, which allows it to access detailed information about system configurations, installed software, user-specific settings, and permissions. These scans are more thorough because they have internal access, making them ideal for detailed security assessments.

A web application is vulnerable to file inclusion attacks, allowing users to upload files or submit input. Which of the following statements correctly describes the types of file inclusion attacks and their potential impacts?

Both LFI and RFI can lead to data exfiltration, arbitrary code execution, and the creation of web shells that provide remote command execution capabilities on the server. Both types of attacks can result in severe consequences such as arbitrary code execution and data exfiltration. Furthermore, web shells can be created through successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities, granting attackers remote command execution capabilities.

Which of the following actions must a pentester take before beginning a penetration test to ensure the assessment is legally compliant?

Define the scope of engagement, including in-scope assets like IP address ranges, APIs, and cloud resources, and ensure all parties agree on the terms. Defining and validating the project scope, including specific in-scope assets, and obtaining agreement on the terms is an important step before beginning the penetration test. This aligns with the need to ensure that all legal and environmental considerations are addressed.

A penetration tester is attempting to gain access to a secure system by trying every possible password combination. The tester is using a tool that divides the attack space into chunks and targets them randomly. Which type of attack is the tester performing?

Brute Force Attack Brute Force Attack involves trying every possible password combination, and the use of tools to divide the attack space into chunks aligns with the description.

How can a hidden text document within an NTFS Alternate Data Stream be accessed?

By using the command notepad "c:file1:file2.txt" The notepad command can be used to access a hidden text document within an NTFS Alternate Data Stream by specifying the path in the format c:file1:file2.txt.

An organization reviews a recommendations report after a successful PenTest exercise. The cost to mitigate the issue as outlined in the report will be costly. Which group is the report generated for?

C-Suite C-Suite refers to top-level management personnel, usually with "chief" in their name, such as CEO, CTO, CIO, CSO, CISO, etc. These are senior executives that are likely to be responsible for making decisions based on the results and recommendations.

A penetration tester is conducting a vulnerability assessment and finds a CVE code associated with a critical vulnerability in the scan results. To assess the severity and prioritize remediation, the penetration tester looks up the CVE in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and finds the associated Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score. Which of the following actions should the penetration tester take next to better understand the exploitability and environmental impact of this vulnerability?

Check the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) to estimate the likelihood of exploitation in the next 30 days. The EPSS helps the penetration tester estimate the likelihood that a vulnerability will be exploited in the near future (next 30 days), which is essential for understanding how urgent it is to remediate this vulnerability in a particular environment.

When selecting the right capabilities for a penetration test, which of the following steps is MOST essential to ensure that a pentester can effectively identify vulnerabilities and provide valuable insights for improving security?

Define the scope and objectives of the pentest clearly. Defining the scope and objectives is crucial because it sets clear boundaries on what will be tested and what the goals of the test are. Without a well-defined scope and objective, the pentest could miss critical areas or waste time on irrelevant systems. This ensures that the test aligns with the organization's security needs and legal considerations, providing meaningful and actionable insights.

A penetration testing team is in the process of defining the scope of an engagement for a large healthcare organization. The stakeholders emphasize the need to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and want the assessment to simulate real-world attack scenarios. The team has limited information about the internal environment and must focus on identifying vulnerabilities that could affect the confidentiality of patient data. Which type of assessment and strategy should the team choose to BEST meet the stakeholders' objectives?

Compliance-based assessment with an unknown environment testing strategy Compliance-based assessment with an unknown environment testing strategy combines a compliance-based assessment, ensuring alignment with HIPAA regulations, with an unknown environment testing strategy that effectively simulates real-world attack conditions. This approach addresses both the need for regulatory compliance and the desire to simulate an actual threat actor's perspective, making it the most comprehensive solution for the stakeholders' objectives.

A pentester is tasked with assessing the physical security of an organization's facility as part of a penetration test. The team is planning to attempt tasks such as bypassing security cameras, accessing restricted systems, and stealing proprietary equipment. What should the pentester do before initiating the physical security breach to ensure the test is conducted effectively and within the scope?

Conduct a site survey to assess physical security measures such as fences and motion detection systems. A site survey allows the pentester to evaluate the facility's existing physical security measures, such as fences, barriers, and motion detectors. By understanding the layout and security mechanisms, the pentester can develop a plan to circumvent these defenses effectively while staying within the scope of the test. This step ensures a well-informed and strategic approach to the physical security test.

Which of the following actions demonstrates the MOST effective use of a script during the enumeration phase of a penetration test?

Developing a script that parses the output of an Nmap scan and alerts the pentester if the number of hosts identified does not match the expected number in the scope. By developing a script to check if the Nmap scan results match the scope, the pentester reduces the likelihood of errors, saves time, and ensures that only in-scope hosts are targeted.

A penetration tester is explaining a USB drop key attack to a client, emphasizing how it exploits human curiosity. In this type of attack, an attacker drops a malicious USB drive near a workplace, hoping an employee will plug it into their computer. Which of the following techniques is NOT a common way attackers disguise malicious files to entice users into running them?

Embedding the malware in a document within an encrypted email attachment While embedding malware in a document within an email attachment is a legitimate attack vector, it is unrelated to the USB drop attack described in this scenario. The attack described focuses on a physical USB drop rather than an email phishing technique.

During a penetration test, a tester discovers that an organization's internal web application stores user passwords in cleartext within its database. To enhance the security of password storage, the penetration tester recommends the use of technical control factors. Which of the following would be the MOST appropriate action to mitigate the identified risk?

Encrypt the passwords using a secure hashing algorithm with salting. Storing passwords in cleartext is a significant security risk because if the database is compromised, attackers can directly use these credentials. Encrypting passwords using a secure hashing algorithm with added salting helps protect against brute-force and rainbow table attacks, ensuring that even if the hashed passwords are obtained, they are more challenging for attackers to reverse-engineer.

In the context of network penetration testing, which of the following BEST describes the purpose of pivoting?

Pivoting allows a pentester to access and exploit vulnerabilities in network segments that are not directly accessible from the initial point of compromise. Pivoting involves using a compromised host to reach other network segments that would otherwise be inaccessible, allowing the pentester to explore and exploit further vulnerabilities.

Which of the following do third-party vendors need to implement to ensure their contributions do not introduce new vulnerabilities into a customer's environment? (Select two.)

Ensuring their products or services meet security standards and do not compromise the customer's security posture. Adhering to relevant regulations and industry standards applicable to their offerings. Third-party vendors must ensure that their products and services meet established security standards, so they do not create vulnerabilities or compromise the customer's overall security posture. This is a fundamental responsibility to maintain trust and security in the client's infrastructure. Vendors are required to comply with relevant regulations and standards (such as GDPR, HIPAA, or industry-specific guidelines). This ensures that their offerings meet legal and compliance requirements, helping to maintain the security and integrity of the systems they interact with.

As a penetration tester, you are tasked with conducting a social engineering assessment to evaluate the susceptibility of an organization to phishing attacks. You need to choose a tool that allows you to perform phishing campaigns and potentially bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA). Which of the following tools should you use to achieve this objective?

Evilginx Evilginx is an on-path attack framework that can be used to phish login credentials and capture session cookies, allowing it to bypass MFA. This makes it suitable for the task of evaluating the organization's susceptibility to phishing attacks that target MFA.

A penetration tester is assessing a network and identifies a multihomed host configured as a web server. The tester plans to exploit a vulnerability in the web server to gain access to the internal network. Which of the following actions should the tester take to effectively utilize the multihomed host for network penetration?

Exploit the web server vulnerability to pivot into the internal network. By exploiting a vulnerability in the multihomed web server, the tester can gain access to the local machine and use it as a pivot point to access other devices on the internal network. This is a strategic action for penetrating deeper into the network.

A PenTester is writing a script and is using if statements, else statements, and loops to determine how the code will execute. What is this component of a script known as?

Flow control Flow control, or the order in which code instructions execute, is one of the most important components of a script's logic and includes using if statements, else statements, and loops.

Which of the following BEST describes the role of flow control in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of a penetration testing script used for network reconnaissance and port scanning?

Flow control enables the script to execute commands in a specified order, allowing for conditional actions and repeated operations based on specific criteria. Flow control enabling a script to execute commands in a specified order accurately describes the role of flow control in scripting. By determining the order of execution, the script can handle different scenarios through conditionals and loops, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness during tasks like network reconnaissance and port scanning.

When conducting a penetration test, a pentester wants to identify open ports and running services on a target while minimizing the risk of detection. Which of the following scanning techniques would be the MOST effective in this scenario?

TCP SYN Scan The TCP SYN scan (also known as a "half-open" scan) sends a SYN packet to the target, and if the port is open, it receives a SYN-ACK. The connection is never fully established (no final ACK), making it a stealthier scan. This method is less likely to be logged and detected compared to a full TCP Connect scan.

A PenTester is writing a script that includes several blocks of code that the PenTester can use in multiple places in the script simply by calling the blocks of code by name. What kind of scripting component is the PenTester using?

Function The PenTester is using functions, or procedures, which produce modular, reusable code and allow the PenTester to group a block of code under a name and call this named function whenever needed.

During a penetration test, you have successfully gained access to a target network. Your next step is to stage and exfiltrate sensitive data without being detected. Which of the following actions would be the MOST appropriate first step in the staging process?

Gather and organize data from various locations on the compromised systems. Gathering and organizing data from various locations on the compromised systems is the first step in the staging process. It involves collecting and organizing data from different locations on the compromised systems, which prepares it for exfiltration.

Which of the following commands or tools would a penetration tester use to enumerate permissions on a local Windows machine in order to determine which user accounts have access to specific directories or files?

Get-Acl The PowerShell cmdlet Get-Acl is used to retrieve permissions on files, directories, and registry keys, which directly aligns with the task of enumerating which user accounts have access to specific directories or files.

During a penetration test, new vulnerabilities were discovered that were not part of the original test plan. The team decides to shift their focus to address these findings immediately. What process is the team engaging in?

Goal Reprioritization Goal reprioritization involves reassessing and adjusting the penetration testing objectives based on new information or findings. In this scenario, the team is reprioritizing their goals to address newly discovered vulnerabilities, which is a clear example of this process.

A client comments on a PenTest report by stating the amazement of how much information was found by the team. The client asks which tool was used to find subdomains and their respective directories. Which tool has the PenTester MOST likely used?

Gobuster Gobuster can discover subdomains, directories, and files by brute-forcing from a list of common names. This can provide information that was otherwise not available.

Which of the following BEST describes the importance of HVA in penetration testing?

HVAs are systems or data critical to an organization's operation, reputation, or compliance and should always be prioritized for testing within the defined scope. High-value assets are critical to an organization's core functions and operations. These assets, such as customer data, intellectual property, or financial systems, are prime targets for both malicious attackers and penetration testers. In penetration testing, identifying and prioritizing these assets ensures that the most valuable and potentially vulnerable areas are adequately assessed.

Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a penetration test?

To simulate real-world attacks to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or applications. Penetration testing involves using the same tools and techniques as simulated attackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities, providing insight into potential security weaknesses.

During a penetration test, a tester inadvertently scans the wrong network, potentially leading to legal ramifications. What is the MOST appropriate course of action for the tester to take?

Immediately report the incident to the team leader to address any potential legal issues. It is important to promptly reporting any criminal activity or incidents, even if accidental, to the team leader. This ensures that any legal ramifications can be addressed swiftly and appropriately.

An organization is using RFID badges for physical access control to its secure facility. During a security audit, it is discovered that several RFID badges using the 125kHz EM4100 technology have been cloned, potentially allowing unauthorized access. Which of the following actions would BEST help to reduce the risk of RFID badge cloning in the future?

Implement a higher frequency RFID system that supports encryption. Using a higher frequency RFID system that supports encryption is an effective way to reduce the risk of badge cloning because these systems only broadcast limited identifying information, rather than the full set of authentication data. Encryption adds an additional layer of security, making it harder for attackers to clone badges. By transitioning to newer, more secure RFID technologies, the organization can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access due to badge cloning.

During a penetration test, the pentester uses a software jammer to disrupt the Wi-Fi signals of specific clients in a targeted area, causing a denial of service (DoS). What would be the MOST appropriate recommendation to prevent or mitigate the effects of such jamming attacks on a wireless network?

Implement frequency hopping or spread spectrum techniques. Frequency hopping or spread spectrum techniques make it more difficult for an attacker to effectively jam the wireless signal, as the frequency used for communication is constantly changing, thereby reducing the likelihood of successful disruption.

A company is using a cloud service provider to host its web applications. As part of the shared responsibility model, the company must ensure the security of its applications and data. Which of the following actions should the company take to fulfill its responsibilities?

Implement secure coding practices and encrypt sensitive data. Implementing secure coding practices and encrypting sensitive data is correct because, under the shared responsibility model, customers are responsible for securing their applications and data within the provided infrastructure. This includes implementing secure coding practices and protecting data through encryption.

A penetration tester is conducting an assessment of cloud workloads and identifies a vulnerable API that could potentially be exploited during the workload runtime. Which of the following actions would BEST help the tester leverage this vulnerability?

Inject malicious code into the vulnerable API to achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE). By injecting malicious code into the vulnerable API, the penetration tester can exploit the vulnerability effectively and achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE), which aligns with the intent of the attack vector mentioned. This action directly applies the identified vulnerability for exploitation.

When conducting a penetration test on a web application, the pentester must be aware of common vulnerabilities and methods for exploiting them. Which of the following vulnerabilities and attacks can be mitigated by implementing proper security configurations and using a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

Injection and Security Misconfiguration Injection attacks, like SQL injection, occur when an application allows untrusted data to be executed as part of a command or query, while Security Misconfiguration involves improper settings, such as leaving default credentials or unnecessary services exposed. Both vulnerabilities can be mitigated by proper security configurations and using a WAF. A WAF can filter malicious inputs and block injection attempts, and security misconfiguration can be addressed through hardening the environment.

A pentester has successfully compromised a web server within a corporate network. The pentester's objective is to access a sensitive database server located on a different subnet within the same network. The pentester decides to use a technique that allows them to forward traffic from the compromised web server to the database server. Which of the following methods should the pentester use to achieve this objective?

Port Forwarding Port forwarding is the correct method for this scenario. By using port forwarding, the pentester can forward traffic from a specific port on the compromised web server to a port on the database server located on a different subnet. This technique allows the pentester to access services running on the database server, such as remote desktop or database management interfaces, by redirecting traffic through the compromised host.

A penetration tester has completed a scan on a target network and discovered several potential vulnerabilities. However, some of the scan results seem inconsistent with previous tests. The penetration tester suspects that some of the identified vulnerabilities may be false positives. What should the tester do to validate the results and ensure they are accurate?

Investigate each vulnerability further by manually testing whether the vulnerability exists on the target system. Manually testing vulnerabilities is crucial in the validation process to determine whether a detected vulnerability is real or a false positive. This method allows the pentester to actively confirm or refute the scanner's findings.

Which of the following BEST describes the importance of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in a penetration test?

It helps uncover root issues and recurring conditions that lead to security vulnerabilities, providing a comprehensive understanding of the environment's weaknesses. RCA in a penetration test is vital for identifying and understanding the root causes of security vulnerabilities. By recognizing recurring conditions and systemic issues, penetration testers can provide deeper insights into the overall security posture, helping the organization to address and prevent future vulnerabilities.

When performing Open Source Intelligence Gathering, what useful information can be found on LinkedIn?

Key Contacts LinkedIn is a social networking site for careers. People list their jobs, companies, and responsibilities. This information builds a picture of networks and helps to identify key contacts.

You are a penetration tester tasked with assessing the security of a company's internal network. During your engagement, you gain access to a low-privilege user account on a Windows machine. Your objective is to move laterally within the network to access a high-value target server that stores sensitive financial data. Which of the following tools would be the MOST appropriate to use for this task, considering your current access level and the need to remain stealthy?

LOLbins LOLbins (Living Off the Land Binaries) refer to legitimate binaries that are part of the operating system but can be exploited for malicious purposes. They are often used by attackers to move laterally within a network while remaining stealthy, as they leverage trusted system tools that are less likely to be flagged by security systems. Given your need to remain undetected and your current access level, using LOLbins would be the most appropriate choice.

Which of the following encryption methods is no longer considered secure due to vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited?

MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5) MD5 is known for producing a 128-bit hash value but has been found vulnerable to collision attacks, where two different inputs produce the same hash output. This vulnerability makes MD5 unsuitable for secure use in cryptographic processes.

Which of the following tools would be MOST effective for a pentester to use when they need to visualize and analyze connections between various data points collected during user enumeration?

Maltego Maltego is specifically designed to visualize and analyze connections between various data points. It offers a powerful GUI with a library of transforms that help in mapping relationships and commonalities among data sources, making it the most effective tool for this purpose.

As a security analyst, you are using Metasploit to test the security of a web application. You need to perform additional tasks on a compromised host after successfully exploiting it. Which Metasploit module type should you use?

Post The Post module type in Metasploit is used for performing additional tasks on a compromised host after the initial exploitation.

Which of the following tools is specifically designed to scan individual host devices on a network for vulnerabilities and generate a report based on severity rankings?

OpenVAS OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is a well-known open-source vulnerability scanner that is specifically used to perform host-based vulnerability scans. It analyzes the software, configurations, and settings of a host device and generates a report of potential vulnerabilities ranked by severity.

A penetration tester is tasked with assessing a wireless access point (WAP) in a coffee shop offering free Wi-Fi. The tester discovers that the connection is not encrypted, and decides to intercept the 4-way handshake to attempt a brute-force attack on the pre-shared key. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step the penetration tester should take in this scenario?

Passively listen for network traffic to capture the 4-way handshake using a wireless sniffer. To intercept the 4-way handshake, a penetration tester should passively capture network traffic without disrupting the network. Tools like airmon-ng or Wireshark can be used to collect handshake data for later brute-force attacks on the pre-shared key.

A social engineer is communicating, whether directly or indirectly, a lie or half-truth in order to get someone to believe a falsehood. What is this tactic called?

Pretexting One social engineering tactic is to use pretexting, whereby the team will communicate, whether directly or indirectly, a lie or half-truth in order to get someone to believe a falsehood.

When evaluating the qualifications of a penetration testing (PenTest) team for a potential engagement, which of the following credentials and considerations are typically necessary to ensure the team's appropriateness and reliability?

Recent certifications and experience in cybersecurity and ethical hacking, including PenTest+ and CEH, along with up-to-date background checks. Certifications such as PenTest+ and CEH demonstrate that the team members have the necessary skills and up-to-date knowledge in cybersecurity. Background checks are crucial for verifying that team members do not have disqualifying criminal records and can work securely.

You are conducting a penetration test and have identified several services running on a target system using Nmap and OpenVAS. After identifying the service versions, you research potential vulnerabilities and use Metasploit to select appropriate exploits. Based on this process, which of the following best evaluates the next step in exploiting the vulnerabilities?

Research each identified service and version further to determine if the vulnerability is exploitable in the current system configuration, then test the exploit in a controlled manner. Proper evaluation involves thoroughly researching the service and its specific version to determine if it is vulnerable in the context of the current system configuration. Testing the exploit in a controlled and non-disruptive manner ensures that the pentest remains within scope and does not cause unnecessary damage.

Which of the following BEST describes the use of scripts during the enumeration and scanning phases of a penetration test?

Scripts can help automate the validation of scan results by confirming the presence of vulnerabilities without needing to perform disruptive tests. Scripts are useful for automating the validation of scan results and confirming potential vulnerabilities, such as using a PowerShell script or Nmap's vuln scripts, without causing harm or breaching the pentest scope.

You are a penetration tester who has successfully compromised a system within a company's internal network. Your next objective is to discover additional devices and potential attack vectors within this network. You decide to perform enumeration to gather more information. During this process, you aim to identify services running on other machines that could be exploited to gain further access. Which of the following actions should you take to effectively perform service discovery in this scenario?

Run the db_nmap -sV -sC <IP address of target host> command in Metasploit to perform a service discovery scan on the target host. The db_nmap -sV -sC <IP address of target host> command in Metasploit is specifically designed for service discovery. It uses Nmap through Metasploit to identify services running on the target host, which can potentially be exploited to gain further access to the network. This aligns directly with the goal of discovering additional devices and attack vectors.

During a penetration test, you discover that an organization's web application is vulnerable to SQL injection attacks. Which of the following technical control factors would be the MOST effective in mitigating this vulnerability and securing the application?

Sanitizing user input and using parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Sanitizing user input and using parameterized queries directly mitigate the risk of SQL injection attacks by ensuring that user-provided data is treated strictly as input values and not executable code. These techniques help prevent malicious code from being injected into SQL queries, thereby securing the application.

A penetration tester wants to set up automated data exfiltration by creating a scheduled task on a Windows system that runs a Netcat command silently in the background every day. Which of the following BEST describes the benefits and considerations of using scheduled tasks for persistence during a penetration test?

Scheduled tasks can automate repetitive tasks silently, but they may still leave traces in system logs, making detection possible. Scheduled tasks are ideal for automating tasks silently in the background, including data exfiltration. However, they do generate logs, such as task creation and execution history, which could alert a system administrator to the activity.

Which of the following BEST evaluates the effectiveness of using scripts to validate scan results during a penetration test?

Scripts can automate tasks, reducing the time needed for validation, but they may introduce errors if not properly maintained. Scripts automating tasks, reducing the time needed for validation, but possibly introducing errors if not properly maintained evaluates the effectiveness of scripts by acknowledging their ability to automate and expedite the validation process, which is a significant advantage. However, it also considers the potential downside of scripts introducing errors if they are not properly maintained or updated, providing a balanced evaluation.

A PenTest exercise has concluded. The PenTest team now addresses which area?

Shell Removal Removing shells should be part of the post-engagement cleanup process. It should be noted that some shells may be hidden on target systems.

What tool would search for internet-connected industrial control systems?

Shodan Shodan is a search engine designed to locate and index Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to the Internet.

When finalizing a penetration test report before delivery to a client, a technician should consult which document to ensure that all acceptance criteria are satisfied?

Statement of work (SOW) The statement of work (SOW) for a penetration test provides the details of acceptance criteria and is a crucial part of the planning process.

Which of the following scan types is the MOST appropriate to bypass firewall rulesets and determine whether a firewall is stateful or not?

TCP ACK Scan (-sA) A TCP ACK Scan is specifically designed to test firewall rulesets by sending TCP packets with the ACK flag set. It helps determine whether a firewall is stateful (able to track connections) or stateless (not tracking connection state). If the port responds as filtered, it indicates that the firewall may be stateful. This scan can bypass simple firewalls and is ideal for testing how firewalls handle connections.

During a penetration test, a pentester is attempting to gain access to a Wi-Fi network that uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). The pentester decides to use the Reaver tool to perform a brute-force attack on the WPS PIN. However, the access point has a lockout mechanism that activates after several failed attempts. What should the pentester do to improve the chances of successfully exploiting WPS?

Switch to an offline attack using the Pixie Dust method to exploit random number generation weaknesses. If the Reaver attack is unsuccessful due to lockout mechanisms, switching to the Pixie Dust method allows the pentester to exploit weaknesses in how some routers generate random numbers for WPS PINs. This approach can be more effective against routers that use weak or predictable random values for generating the PIN.

During a network scan at the beginning of a penetration test, a pentester uses Nmap to discover open ports, services, and protocols on a target network. The pentester must ensure network stability while balancing the need for fast and thorough scanning. Which of the following Nmap timing options would be the MOST appropriate for achieving fast scans without significantly compromising network stability?

T4 T4 is recommended for fast scans while maintaining reasonable network stability. It strikes a good balance between speed and stability, making it the most appropriate choice when the network can handle a slightly faster scan without significant performance impact.

A security engineer is trying to understand the default behavior of nmap scans during host discovery. What does nmap send to port 80?

TCP ACK During host discovery, nmap sends a TCP ACK packet to port 80. A TCP ACK scan is used to bypass firewall rulesets, determine which ports are filtered, and if a firewall is stateful or not.

During a penetration test, why is it important to carefully manage who is informed about the engagement and what information is shared?

To prevent the client's staff from taking unnecessary actions or panicking, while maintaining the effectiveness of the test. Managing who is informed ensures that the penetration test remains effective by preventing unnecessary actions or panic from staff who are unaware of the test. It also preserves the realism of the test, especially when social engineering tactics are involved.

A penetration tester covertly follows an authorized employee who is unaware that anyone is behind them. What is this called?

Tailgating Tailgating is an attack where the malicious actor slips in through a secure area while covertly following an authorized employee who is unaware that anyone is behind them.

During a penetration test of a large industrial facility using SCADA systems, the pentester identifies that the ICS devices are not segmented from the main organizational network and are using outdated protocols. The pentester uses Shodan and Nmap to discover vulnerabilities in these systems. What is the MOST critical risk that the pentester should report to the organization, and why?

The ICS devices are not segmented from the rest of the network and are vulnerable to attack The lack of network segmentation is the most critical risk because it allows attackers to move laterally from the main network to the ICS devices. Since ICS systems control critical infrastructure, this can result in significant operational disruptions, public safety hazards, and economic impacts. The outdated protocols and weak security in these systems compound the risk, but the root issue is the failure to separate the ICS from the organization's main network.

When evaluating the effectiveness of network mapping tools in the penetration testing process, which of the following features is most critical for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the network's structure and vulnerabilities?

The capability to interrogate ARP caches, routing, and MAC tables to gather detailed network information. The capability to interrogate ARP caches, routing, and MAC tables to gather detailed network information is critical for evaluating the network's structure and identifying potential vulnerabilities. By interrogating ARP caches, routing, and MAC tables, a PenTester can gather comprehensive information about the network's topology, which is essential for understanding how devices are interconnected and where vulnerabilities may exist.

When selecting an exploit using Metasploit, which of the following considerations is MOST crucial to ensure the action remains within the scope of a penetration testing contract?

The exploit's alignment with the objectives outlined in the penetration testing contract. Ensuring that the exploit aligns with the objectives outlined in the contract is crucial. This consideration ensures that the actions taken during penetration testing are authorized and within the agreed-upon scope, preventing legal and ethical issues.

During a penetration test, the tester identifies a vulnerability flagged by both OpenVAS and Nmap scans with a CVE number. After retrieving the details from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), the tester sees that the vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.5 (High), but the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score is only 0.2. When evaluating whether to prioritize fixing this vulnerability immediately, what should the tester consider?

The tester should combine the CVSS score with an analysis of the specific environment to determine urgency. The best approach is to evaluate the vulnerability's potential impact in the specific environment alongside the EPSS and CVSS scores. This includes considering asset criticality, potential business impact, and compensating controls before deciding on remediation urgency.

Why is it important for a pentester to document all activities, attempted attacks, and discovered vulnerabilities during an enterprise penetration test?

To assist the organization in strengthening its security posture and implementing stricter policies. Documenting all findings, including vulnerabilities and attack vectors, helps the organization understand its security weaknesses. The information can be used to harden systems, improve security policies, and prevent similar attacks in the future.

Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of network vulnerability scans in penetration testing?

To discover weaknesses in network infrastructure devices and protocols that could be used by attackers to gain unauthorized access or disrupt network operations. Network vulnerability scans are designed to examine the network infrastructure and services running on it to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. These scans focus on identifying potential weaknesses in devices like routers and switches, as well as services and protocols, to mitigate potential threats.

What is the primary purpose of documenting pre-engagement activities in a penetration test?

To establish a clear understanding and agreement on the testing process between all stakeholders. Documenting pre-engagement activities ensures that all parties involved have a mutual understanding of the scope, objectives, and rules of the penetration test. This helps in mitigating risks and achieving the test's objectives effectively and ethically.

What is the primary purpose of conducting a site survey in the context of a physical security assessment for a pentest?

To evaluate the effectiveness of perimeter security measures and identify potential vulnerabilities. The primary purpose of a site survey in the context of a physical security assessment is to evaluate the existing security measures, such as fences and motion detectors, and identify any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited during a pentest.

A pentester is performing a security assessment on an FTP server and decides to use fuzzing to identify potential vulnerabilities. Which of the following actions should the pentester take first?

Use Scapy to send crafted packets with random or malformed inputs to the FTP server. Fuzzing involves sending unexpected or malformed data to the target to observe its behavior. In this case, using Scapy to send fuzzed inputs to the FTP server is the first step in identifying potential vulnerabilities related to how the server handles unusual inputs.

Which of the following actions should users take to minimize the risk of their passwords being compromised after a data breach, such as the RockYou hack?

Use password-checking services like haveibeenpwned.com Services like haveibeenpwned.com allow users to check whether their passwords have been exposed in a known data breach. This can help users to identify compromised passwords and take appropriate action, such as changing their passwords.

During a penetration test, a pentester has successfully gained access to a company's network. They have collected sensitive files from various systems, dumped databases, and performed credential dumping attacks. Now, they need to exfiltrate the data without being detected. Which of the following methods should the pentester use to ensure the data is covertly moved from the target machines?

Use steganography to hide the data within an image file and transfer it. Steganography is a technique used to hide data within other files, such as images, making it a covert method of exfiltration. This approach helps in avoiding detection by security systems that may not inspect the contents of image files for hidden data.

During a PenTest, a scan indicates that a client machine is running an outdated version of a web application, potentially exposing it to known vulnerabilities. Which scripting approach should the PenTester use to confirm the application's version?

Use a PowerShell script to verify the application version reported by the scan. You can use scripts, such as PowerShell, to verify scan results. This approach allows the PenTester to confirm the application's version accurately.

During a penetration test, you need to automate the identification of hosts within a target subnet and validate the number of hosts against a predefined list. Which approach would BEST enhance the efficiency and accuracy of this task?

Use a script that configures nmap to perform a host scan and automatically outputs a warning if the identified number of hosts does not match the expected value. Using a script that configures nmap uses scripting to automate the process, reducing the potential for human error and improving efficiency. The script can also include additional logic, such as validating the host count and identifying discrepancies.

After completing a penetration test, you are tasked with securely destroying sensitive data collected during the test to prevent unauthorized recovery. Which of the following actions should you take to ensure secure data destruction?

Use a secure data shredding tool to overwrite the data multiple times. Using a secure data shredding tool to overwrite data multiple times is an effective method for secure data destruction. This process makes it difficult for any data recovery methods to retrieve the original data, ensuring it is securely destroyed.

A penetration tester is in the enumeration phase and has been tasked with creating a detailed network map of the target environment. The tester needs to document and capture all relevant information, including services, IP addresses, and device types. Which of the following actions should the penetration tester prioritize to ensure a complete and accurate map of the network is built?

Use a tool like Nmap to scan the network and export results in multiple formats using the -oA switch. Using Nmap is the action the tester should prioritize for creating a comprehensive network map during the enumeration phase. Nmap is commonly used to discover hosts, services, and open ports, and using the -oA switch will save the results in multiple formats (normal, XML, and greppable), which aids in future searches and documentation. This aligns with best practices, ensuring the penetration tester can review the scan results later, add them to the report, and use them for further analysis.

You are conducting a penetration test on a cloud environment and have identified the possibility of image and artifact tampering attacks. Which of the following actions would be the MOST appropriate way to mitigate these types of attacks during the testing phase?

Use a trusted registry and enforce image signing to verify the integrity of container images before deployment. Using a trusted registry directly addresses image and artifact tampering attacks by ensuring that the images used in the cloud environment are valid and have not been altered. By using a trusted registry and enforcing image signing, the integrity of the images can be verified before they are deployed, mitigating risks of tampering through the supply chain, registry compromise, or insider threats.

A penetration tester needs to gather information about remote systems without using an interactive shell. Which of the following methods would allow the tester to query system information on a Windows machine?

Use the wmic command-line tool to query the system The wmic tool allows the tester to query remote system information via WMI.

Which of the following best describes the effectiveness of using Windows Remote Management (WinRM) for remote system administration in a secure network environment?

WinRM is effective because it requires initial configuration, including firewall exceptions, which enhances security before allowing remote access. WinRM accurately evaluates the effectiveness of WinRM. The requirement for initial configuration, such as setting up firewall exceptions, ensures that security measures are in place before allowing remote access, making it a secure option for system administration.

In the context of penetration testing, what is one significant difference between Windows services and Unix-like daemons regarding their functionality and impact on system performance?

Windows services consume memory even when not in use, while Unix-like daemons do not impact system performance when idle. Windows services do consume system memory regardless of whether they are actively processing tasks, which may alert users if they are monitoring system performance.

A penetration testing team is preparing to conduct an engagement with a client. After initial meetings, scoping the project, and gathering all necessary requirements, the team is now preparing the legal documentation to obtain formal permission to attack the client's systems. Which of the following is the MOST important document to finalize first before proceeding with the penetration testing exercise?

Written Authorization to Test (WATT) The Written Authorization to Test is the most critical document that must be finalized first before any penetration testing activities can begin. This document provides the formal, legal permission for the PenTest team to simulate attacks on the client's systems, outlining what specific networks, hosts, and applications are to be included, the validity period, and other essential guidelines. Without this authorization, any testing could be considered illegal, making it the most crucial document to have before proceeding.

A cybersecurity analyst is conducting a forensic investigation on a compromised Windows system. During the investigation, the analyst suspects that an attacker has hidden malicious files using NTFS Alternate Data Streams (ADS). The analyst finds a suspicious text file named report.txt and wants to check if there are any hidden streams attached to it. Which of the following commands should the analyst use to list all streams associated with report.txt?

dir /r report.txt The dir /r report.txt command is used to display alternate data streams associated with files in NTFS. The /r switch in the dir command reveals any hidden streams linked to report.txt, making it the correct choice for listing all streams.

A penetration tester has successfully gained access to a target machine and wants to maintain persistence by creating a new user account with administrative privileges. Which of the following commands would achieve this on a Windows system?

net user jsmith <password> /add followed by net localgroup Administrators jsmith /add The net user command is used to create a new user account on a Windows machine, and the net localgroup Administrators command adds the user to the Administrators group to grant administrative privileges.

During a penetration test, you are tasked with identifying active hosts on a network without performing a full port scan. You need to quickly identify live hosts on the network and check for any potential firewall rules blocking your discovery. Which of the following Nmap scan options should you use?

nmap -sn 192.168.1.1/24 The nmap -sn 192.168.1.1/24 command performs a ping scan across the entire 192.168.1.1/24 subnet. It sends ICMP echo requests, TCP SYN packets, and TCP ACK packets to determine if hosts are live. This is a quick and efficient scan for host discovery without performing a detailed port scan. Since it does not probe for open ports but only checks host activity, this option is appropriate for the task.

A penetration tester wants to gather email information for a targeted phishing campaign. Which of the following tools could they use to collect this?

theHarvester theHarvester is an intuitive tool that can search a company's visible threat landscape. The tool gathers information on subdomain names, employee names, email addresses, PGP key entries, and open ports and service banners.

A penetration tester is looking for secrets in Git repositories that will allow the tester to modify code. What tool is the penetration tester using?

truffleHog The penetration tester is using truffleHog which can automatically crawl through a repository looking for accidental commits of secrets that will allow an attacker to modify code in a Git repository.