Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH V13) Practice Exam Guide

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH V13) Practice Exam Guide:

500 Practice Questions and Explanations for Exam Success

Introduction

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH V13) Practice Exam Guide is designed to help you confidently prepare for one of the most recognized certifications in the field of cybersecurity. With a total of 500 meticulously crafted questions, this guide provides a robust testing experience that mirrors the real CEH exam. Each question is accompanied by detailed explanations to help you fully understand the reasoning behind the correct answers, ensuring you're well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

The CEH certification is a globally recognized credential that validates your ability to identify vulnerabilities and secure IT systems. It is highly sought after by employers, making it a valuable asset in advancing your career in the field of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. This guide offers a variety of question types to ensure comprehensive preparation and to help you get familiar with different formats you might encounter on the actual exam. These include:

Multiple choice questions

Fill-in-the-gap questions

Short scenario-based questions

By practicing these question types, you will not only solidify your technical knowledge but also sharpen your analytical skills and ability to respond to real-world cyber threats. Whether you're seeking a promotion, changing careers, or simply enhancing your cybersecurity skills, the CEH certification can significantly boost your professional profile.

Practice Exam Questions

Question 1: What is a primary goal of ethical hacking?

- A: To develop security software that protects against breaches.

- B: To breach security systems and steal data for personal gain.

- C: To identify vulnerabilities from an attacker's viewpoint to better secure systems.

- D: To train employees on how to defend against cyber attacks effectively.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Ethical hacking aims to proactively identify security vulnerabilities from an attacker's perspective, allowing security professionals to rectify these gaps before they can be exploited maliciously. This proactive approach is crucial for strengthening system security.

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Question 2: Identify the standard that primarily governs data protection across various industries globally.

- A: Sarbanes-Oxley Act

- B: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

- C: ISO/IEC 27001

- D: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard that outlines best practices for an information security management system (ISMS). It is widely recognized and applied across various sectors worldwide, establishing a framework for information security.

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Question 3: Fill in the blank: Ethical hackers must adhere to __________, which dictate the actions permissible under legal frameworks.

- A: Information security laws and regulations

- B: Personal moral principles

- C: Professional security certifications

- D: Corporate ethical codes of conduct

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Information security laws and regulations are designed to provide a legal framework within which ethical hacking must operate. These laws protect against unauthorized data breaches and ensure that all penetration testing activities are legally compliant.

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Question 4: In a scenario where an ethical hacker discovers a vulnerability in a client’s system, which action aligns with standard ethical hacking procedures?

- A: Ignoring the finding to avoid additional work.

- B: Closing the vulnerability without informing the client.

- C: Reporting the vulnerability to the client in a responsible manner.

- D: Exploiting the vulnerability to demonstrate the impact.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: In ethical hacking, the standard procedure after discovering a vulnerability is to report it responsibly to the client. This reporting is crucial for allowing the client to remediate the vulnerability, thereby enhancing their security posture.

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Question 5: During a routine security assessment, an ethical hacker utilizes a set of guidelines to assess the security measures of an organization. Which of these would be considered an information security control?

- A: Cryptographic security measures.

- B: Network security protocols.

- C: Administrative security policies.

- D: Physical access controls.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Physical access controls are a fundamental aspect of information security controls that manage and restrict physical access to facilities. These controls are essential for preventing unauthorized access and protecting sensitive information.

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Question 6: Which tool is commonly used for DNS enumeration to gather information about a target during the footprinting phase?

- A: Maltego

- B: Nmap

- C: DNSRecon

- D: Wireshark

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: DNSRecon is a specialized tool designed for DNS enumeration, allowing ethical hackers to identify DNS records, misconfigurations, and associated security risks within a target’s network. This tool is integral for understanding the DNS landscape of a target, which is critical in the footprinting phase.

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Question 7: Fill in the blank: __________ is a technique used in footprinting to gather insights about internal IP ranges and domain records.

- A: Email harvesting

- B: DNS zone transfer

- C: Port scanning

- D: Network scanning

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: DNS zone transfer is a method used by attackers to replicate DNS database records from one server to another. This process can expose comprehensive details about internal IP addresses and associated domains if not properly secured, making it a key target during footprinting.

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Question 8: In a penetration testing scenario, which technique should an ethical hacker use first to collect publicly available information about a target organization?

- A: Dumpster diving

- B: Open-source intelligence gathering

- C: Social engineering

- D: Phishing attacks

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Open-source intelligence (OSINT) involves collecting data from publicly available sources to gather information about a target. This method is typically the first step in ethical hacking, providing a broad scope of information that can be crucial for deeper penetration testing.

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Question 9: When conducting online reconnaissance, what is the primary purpose of using search engine caches?

- A: To analyze the keywords used on a competitor’s webpage

- B: To check the real-time accessibility of a website from various locations

- C: To retrieve web pages that are no longer live but have been cached

- D: To enhance the SEO of the hacker’s own website

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Using search engine caches to retrieve web pages that are no longer live can reveal previous versions of a site, including potentially sensitive information that was removed or updated. This technique is valuable in understanding the historical changes and potential data exposures of a target’s online presence.

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Question 10: During the initial stage of an attack, an ethical hacker gathers data about a target’s employee roles. Which source is most effective for this purpose?

- A: Corporate websites

- B: Social media platforms

- C: Public regulatory filings

- D: Internal newsletters

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Social media platforms are rich sources of personal and professional information. An ethical hacker can use these platforms to gather data about a target’s employees, including their roles and responsibilities, which can inform further social engineering or attack strategies.

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Question 11: What is the primary function of a port scanner in network security?

- A: To increase the speed of the network.

- B: To encrypt data packets sent over the network.

- C: To detect open ports and services on a network host.

- D: To monitor data traffic between devices.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Port scanners are crucial tools in network security for identifying open ports and services available on a host. This information helps in assessing the security posture of the network by revealing potential points of vulnerability that could be exploited.

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Question 12: Fill in the blank: ________ is a technique used to determine the operating system of a remote host based on characteristics of its TCP/IP packets.

- A: SNMP querying

- B: TCP/IP fingerprinting

- C: UDP segment analysis

- D: ICMP error messaging

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: TCP/IP fingerprinting involves analyzing the way a host responds to various network requests. This technique is used to predict the operating system of a remote host, as different operating systems respond uniquely to similar network requests, providing clues about the host's environment.

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Question 13: Which type of scan is most effective for bypassing firewall rules and avoiding detection during a network scan?

- A: Stealth SYN scan

- B: Xmas scan

- C: FIN scan

- D: Connect scan

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The stealth SYN scan is a type of network scanning that sends a SYN packet to initiate a TCP session but does not complete the handshake, making it less likely to be logged by the target's firewall. This approach is preferred for minimizing detection during reconnaissance.

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Question 14: In network security testing, what is the main purpose of performing a ping sweep?

- A: To filter out unauthorized access points.

- B: To overload the network with excessive traffic.

- C: To measure the round-trip time for packet delivery to each host.

- D: To identify all active hosts on a network by sending ICMP echo requests.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: A ping sweep involves sending ICMP echo requests (ping) to multiple hosts within a network to identify which ones are active. This is a fundamental technique in network mapping, providing a baseline for further more detailed scanning and vulnerability assessment.

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Question 15: When an ethical hacker uses a SYN scan, what are they trying to achieve?

- A: To corrupt the target system’s TCP stack.

- B: To disconnect existing TCP connections by sending reset packets.

- C: To initiate a connection to a port without completing the TCP handshake.

- D: To establish a full TCP connection with the target.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: A SYN scan, also known as a half-open scan, is used to check for listening ports on the target system. The scanner sends a SYN packet as if it is going to open a full TCP connection but closes the connection before the handshake is completed. This method is used to quickly identify open ports without establishing a full connection, reducing the likelihood of detection.

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Question 16: What is the primary goal of using BGP hijacking in network enumeration?

- A: To increase bandwidth availability for legitimate users.

- B: To optimize routing protocols for better network efficiency.

- C: To reroute internet traffic to extract data and perform man-in-the-middle attacks.

- D: To decrease the network's overall latency for faster data processing.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: BGP hijacking involves maliciously redirecting internet traffic through a router controlled by an attacker. This allows the attacker to intercept, inspect, and potentially alter data in transit between the sender and the intended recipient, making it a powerful method for information extraction and man-in-the-middle attacks.

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Question 17: Fill in the blank: Enumeration of NFS can expose __________ which are critical for accessing network services.

- A: VPN tunnel endpoints

- B: User account details

- C: Firewall configurations

- D: Unsecured network shares

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: NFS, when not properly secured, may expose unsecured network shares that can be accessed without appropriate authentication. Enumeration of these shares can provide attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive files and resources on the network.

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Question 18: How does an attacker use BGP exploits to gather information from target systems?

- A: By extracting routing tables for offline analysis.

- B: By injecting malicious routes to disable the network.

- C: By redirecting traffic through a controlled router to capture data.

- D: By crashing the BGP router to cause network downtime.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: By exploiting vulnerabilities in the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), attackers can reroute traffic through a compromised or malicious router. This method allows for the capture and analysis of data, providing insights into the data flow and potentially sensitive information transmitted over the network.

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Question 19: During an attack simulation, what specific information can an ethical hacker gather by exploiting vulnerabilities in an NFS server?

- A: Network topology and router configurations.

- B: Active directory domain names and server IP addresses.

- C: List of shared directories and permission settings.

- D: Types of encryption used and security protocols.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Exploiting vulnerabilities in an NFS server can allow attackers to view lists of shared directories along with their respective permission settings. This information is crucial as it can identify weak points in the network's security setup where unauthorized access might be obtained.

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Question 20: What is a common vulnerability in NFS that can be exploited to perform enumeration?

- A: Firmware vulnerabilities in network equipment.

- B: Excessive data logging by the server.

- C: Lack of proper authentication mechanisms.

- D: Encryption flaws in data packets.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: One common vulnerability in NFS is the lack of proper authentication mechanisms for accessing network shares. This can allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions such as viewing, modifying, or deleting sensitive data without needing legitimate credentials.

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Question 21: What is the primary purpose of conducting a vulnerability analysis on network systems?

- A: To enhance the network speed by optimizing the bandwidth usage.

- B: To monitor network traffic for potential external threats continuously.

- C: To comply with international data protection and privacy regulations.

- D: To identify and remediate security weaknesses before they can be exploited.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Vulnerability analysis aims to uncover and address security gaps within a network or system to prevent potential exploits by attackers. This process is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of IT environments.

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Question 22: Fill in the blank: A comprehensive vulnerability analysis often includes testing for _______ vulnerabilities to predict how an attacker might gain unauthorized access.

- A: Buffer overflow

- B: Cross-site scripting

- C: Denial-of-service

- D: SQL injection

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: SQL injection vulnerabilities expose systems to attackers by allowing them to manipulate SQL queries through input fields. Testing for these vulnerabilities helps in understanding how an attacker might exploit web applications to access or corrupt database information.

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Question 23: Which tool is best suited for automated vulnerability scanning in large networks?

- A: Nessus

- B: Nmap

- C: Wireshark

- D: OpenVAS

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Nessus is a widely recognized tool for vulnerability scanning in large-scale networks due to its comprehensive database of known vulnerabilities and its ability to customize scans based on network architecture.

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Question 24: In a scenario where an organization needs to prioritize vulnerabilities for patching, which factor should be considered first?

- A: Number of affected systems within the organization.

- B: Frequency of the vulnerability occurrence in similar organizations.

- C: Time since the vulnerability was first reported.

- D: Severity of the vulnerability based on its potential impact.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: When prioritizing vulnerabilities for remediation, the severity of the potential impact should be considered first. This approach ensures that the most dangerous vulnerabilities, which could cause significant damage if exploited, are addressed promptly.

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Question 25: During a vulnerability assessment, what is the significance of discovering an SQL injection vulnerability in a web application?

- A: It indicates strong input validation practices are in place.

- B: It improves the performance of the database queries.

- C: It encrypts sensitive data stored in the database.

- D: It allows an attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Discovering an SQL injection vulnerability is significant as it indicates that an attacker could potentially execute arbitrary SQL commands, which might lead to unauthorized data access, data theft, or destructive changes to the database.

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Question 26: What is a common method used by hackers to gain unauthorized access to a system?

- A: Sending phishing emails to company employees.

- B: Guessing or cracking passwords.

- C: Intercepting data transmitted over unsecured networks.

- D: Exploiting known software vulnerabilities.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Exploiting known software vulnerabilities is a common method for hackers to gain unauthorized access. It involves using existing bugs or flaws in software to circumvent security protocols, allowing unauthorized access or control over systems.

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Question 27: Fill in the blank: To cover their tracks, hackers often use _______ to manipulate logs.

- A: Disk encryption

- B: Network sniffing

- C: Log tampering

- D: Using a proxy server

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Log tampering is a technique used by hackers to cover their tracks after gaining access to a system. By altering or deleting logs, hackers can remove evidence of their activities, making it difficult for system administrators to trace the intrusion.

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Question 28: What technique is primarily used to escalate privileges in a compromised system?

- A: Using social engineering techniques

- B: Creating admin accounts manually

- C: Configuring firewall settings

- D: Exploitation of system services

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: The exploitation of system services to escalate privileges typically involves using known vulnerabilities within system software that allow higher access levels than the hacker initially obtained. This method is crucial for gaining deeper access to a system’s resources and data.

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Question 29: In a scenario where a hacker needs to maintain access to a system without being detected, what is the best tool to use?

- A: Executing a Trojan horse

- B: Applying a keylogger

- C: Deploying ransomware

- D: Installing a rootkit

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: