200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is investigating lateral movement and observes SMB authentication attempts from host A to multiple other hosts using NTLM authentication with a hash value instead of a password. Which attack technique is most likely being used?
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 attack
Pass-the-hash uses NTLM hashes to authenticate without the plaintext password. SMB authentication with hashes is a classic sign.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Pass-the-hash attack
Why this is correct
Using NTLM hashes for authentication across multiple hosts is pass-the-hash.
- ✗
Brute force attack
Why it's wrong here
Brute force tries many passwords, not a single hash.
- ✗
Kerberos golden ticket attack
Why it's wrong here
Golden ticket involves forging Kerberos tickets, not NTLM hashes.
- ✗
SMB relay attack
Why it's wrong here
SMB relay captures and relays authentication, but the key here is using a hash directly.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 979 original 200-201 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.