200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
An analyst detects multiple SMB authentication attempts from a single internal host to several other internal hosts using NTLM hashes instead of plaintext passwords. Which technique is most likely being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-201 often tests the distinction between pass-the-hash (replaying a stolen NTLM hash) and Kerberoasting (cracking Kerberos service tickets) — candidates pick Kerberoasting because both involve credential theft, but only pass-the-hash uses NTLM hashes over SMB.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Pass-the-hash
Pass-the-hash is the technique where an attacker uses a captured NTLM hash to authenticate to remote systems without knowing the plaintext password. The scenario — one internal host authenticating to many others using NTLM hashes — is the canonical lateral-movement signature of pass-the-hash, typically executed with tools like Mimikatz, CrackMapExec, or Impacket. The fan-out pattern from a single source to multiple targets is a strong indicator of automated credential reuse.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Brute force
Why it's wrong here
Brute force guesses credentials against authentication services; here the host submits captured NTLM hashes directly, which is pass-the-hash. It is tempting because repeated SMB authentication failures resemble password guessing, and would be correct if plaintext passwords were being tried rather than replayed hashes.
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Kerberoasting
Why it's wrong here
Kerberoasting requests Kerberos service tickets for offline cracking of service account passwords; it does not relay NTLM hashes over SMB to other hosts. It is tempting as a credential-access technique, and would be correct when targeting SPNs with weak service account passwords rather than performing lateral movement via hash relay.
- ✗
Golden ticket attack
Why it's wrong here
A golden ticket forges a Kerberos TGT using the KRBTGT hash, so authentication would appear as Kerberos, not NTLM relayed over SMB. It is tempting because it grants domain-wide persistence, and would be correct after full domain compromise when forging tickets rather than relaying captured hashes.
- ✓
Pass-the-hash
Why this is correct
Pass-the-hash reuses captured NTLM password hashes directly for authentication, bypassing plaintext password knowledge entirely. The multiple SMB connections between internal hosts using hashes rather than credentials match this technique's signature, distinguishing it from credential cracking.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.