CompTIA PT0-002 Practice Test - Questions Answers, Page 42

* Deauthentication attacks can force legitimate users to disconnect from a wireless network, prompting them to reconnect and, in the process, capture valid user credentials using a rogue access point or network monitoring tools.

* Details:

A . Wardriving: Involves driving around to discover wireless networks; it does not directly gather user credentials.

B . Captive portal: Requires users to log in but is not an attack method; it is a legitimate method to control network access.

C . Deauthentication: Forces users to reauthenticate, allowing an attacker to capture credentials during the reconnection process.

D . Impersonation: Involves pretending to be someone else to gain access but is less effective for directly capturing user credentials compared to deauthentication.

*

Reference: Deauthentication attacks are well-documented in wireless security assessments and penetration testing guides.

The taskkill command is used in Windows to terminate tasks by process ID (PID) or image name (IM). The correct command to terminate a specified process and any child processes which were started by it uses the /T flag, and the /F flag is used to force terminate the process. Therefore, taskkill /PID <PID> /T /F is the correct syntax to terminate the endpoint protection software and its child processes.

The other options listed are either incorrect syntax or do not accomplish the task of terminating the child processes:

* /IM specifies the image name but is not necessary when using /PID.

* /S specifies the remote system to connect to and /U specifies the user context under which the command should execute, neither of which are relevant to terminating processes.

* There is no /P flag in the taskkill command.

A directory traversal attack, also known as a path traversal attack, is a method used to exploit insufficient security validation or sanitization of user-supplied input file names. The goal of this attack is to access directories and files that are stored outside the web root folder. By manipulating variables that reference files with ''../'' sequences and its variations, attackers can access restricted directories and execute commands outside of the web server's root directory.

In the context of an application that allows users to upload documents to a cloud-based file server, an attacker might exploit a directory traversal vulnerability to navigate to directories that contain sensitive documents. If the file upload functionality is not properly secured, an attacker could upload a file with a payload designed to perform directory traversal. This could allow access to confidential files that are otherwise protected by the application's access control mechanisms.

OWASP Directory Traversal Cheat Sheet: OWASP Directory Traversal

Practical example from HTB Writeups like Forge and Anubis which demonstrate similar enumeration techniques leading to sensitive file disclosures.

* Access Points (APs) are crucial in a wireless security assessment as they are the main points through which devices connect to the network. Identifying and securing APs ensures network integrity and security.

* Details:

A . Frequencies: Important but not as critical as identifying and assessing APs.

B . APs: Central to the network's security; assessing AP configurations, placements, and security settings is essential.

C . SSIDs: Identifying SSIDs is part of the assessment but does not provide a complete picture without evaluating APs.

D . Signal strengths: Useful for understanding coverage but secondary to assessing AP security.

*

Reference: Wireless security assessments prioritize AP evaluation as they are the entry points to the network, as outlined in various wireless security frameworks and methodologies.

* System hardening involves securing a system by reducing its surface of vulnerability, which includes changing default credentials, disabling unnecessary services, and applying security patches.

* Details:

A . Password encryption: Secures passwords but does not address the issue of default credentials.

B . System hardening: Comprehensive approach to securing the system, including changing default credentials.

C . Multifactor authentication: Adds an additional layer of security but does not solve the problem of default credentials being enabled.

D . Patch management: Ensures software is up-to-date but does not directly address default credentials.

*

Reference: System hardening is a fundamental practice in securing systems and preventing unauthorized access, as detailed in security best practices and guidelines.

* Detecting a Web Application Firewall (WAF) helps penetration testers understand the protective measures in place and tailor their testing methods to bypass these defenses.

* Details:

A . Direct-to-origin testing: Useful for bypassing CDN but not specifically for detecting protective mechanisms like WAF.

B . Antivirus scanning: Not relevant for web application attacks.

C . Scapy packet crafting: Useful for network-level testing but not for detecting web application protections.

D . WAF detection: Identifies if a WAF is present, which is critical for understanding and bypassing web application defenses.

*

Reference: WAF detection techniques are documented in web application security testing methodologies such as OWASP.

* System hardening involves securing a system by reducing its surface of vulnerability, which includes changing default credentials, disabling unnecessary services, and applying security patches.

* Details:

A . Password encryption: Secures passwords but does not address the issue of default credentials.

B . System hardening: Comprehensive approach to securing the system, including changing default credentials.

C . Multifactor authentication: Adds an additional layer of security but does not solve the problem of default credentials being enabled.

D . Patch management: Ensures software is up-to-date but does not directly address default credentials.

*

Reference: System hardening is a fundamental practice in securing systems and preventing unauthorized access, as detailed in security best practices and guidelines.

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The presence of plaintext strings that can be used to move laterally across the network suggests that passwords or sensitive tokens are stored insecurely. Implementing a password management solution would help mitigate this issue by ensuring that passwords are stored securely and are not exposed in plaintext. Password managers typically use strong encryption to protect stored credentials and provide secure access to them.

Sanitizing user input, rotating keys, and utilizing certificate management address different aspects of security but do not directly resolve the issue of insecure password storage.

Importance of password management: NIST Password Guidelines

Examples of security breaches due to poor password management practices: Forge.

Before beginning a penetration test, it is crucial to determine any restrictions related to third-party assets. This is particularly important when the client's systems are hosted by a third-party cloud provider. The penetration tester needs to know what limitations or restrictions are imposed by the third-party hosting company to avoid violating terms of service, causing unintended disruptions, or legal issues.

Understanding third-party asset restrictions ensures that the testing activities comply with legal and contractual obligations and avoid potential conflicts with the third-party provider.

Penetration testing considerations: OWASP Testing Guide

Experiences from various penetration testing engagements highlighting the importance of third-party restrictions: Anubis.

The communication escalation path is a component of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) that provides a penetration tester with guidance on whom to contact and how to proceed in the event of an emergency or disaster during an engagement. This includes contact information for key individuals and predefined procedures to follow to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly and appropriately.

The engagement scope defines the boundaries and objectives of the test, the SLA (Service Level Agreement) outlines performance and uptime requirements, and the SOW (Statement of Work) details the tasks and deliverables. However, the communication escalation path specifically addresses communication protocols during emergencies.

Explanation of Rules of Engagement components: OWASP Testing Guide

Examples from penetration testing engagements highlighting the importance of communication plans: Anubis.