200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question
During incident response, an analyst extracts files from a PCAP using Wireshark's Export Objects feature. One extracted file is a PDF that triggers an IDS alert for 'Exploit:PDF/HeapSpray'. Which technique does this alert describe?
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
✓
Heap spray
Heap spray is a memory corruption technique where an attacker fills heap memory with shellcode to increase the chance of code execution, often used in PDF exploits.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Return-oriented programming (ROP)
Why it's wrong here
ROP chains existing code gadgets, not heap spray.
- ✗
Shellcode injection
Why it's wrong here
Shellcode injection is a broader term; heap spray is a specific technique.
- ✓
Heap spray
Why this is correct
Heap spray loads shellcode into heap memory to hijack execution.
- ✗
Stack buffer overflow
Why it's wrong here
Stack overflow targets the stack, not the heap.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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