hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CAS-004 Practice Question: During a security assessment, a tester finds that…
During a security assessment, a tester finds that a web application accepts user input and directly uses it in an LDAP query without sanitization. Which of the following attacks is most likely to be successful?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see 'user input' and 'query' and immediately think SQL injection, failing to recognize that the specific technology mentioned (LDAP) requires its own injection class, and that each injection type is tied to a distinct backend protocol.
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
✓
LDAP injection
The scenario explicitly describes unsanitized user input being used directly in an LDAP query. LDAP injection occurs when an attacker manipulates LDAP statements by injecting special characters (e.g., *, (, ), &, |, !) to alter the query logic, potentially bypassing authentication or extracting unauthorized directory information. This is a direct injection attack against the LDAP protocol (RFC 4511), not against a database or web client.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Cross-site scripting
Why it's wrong here
XSS involves injecting scripts into web pages, not LDAP queries.
- ✗
SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection is specific to SQL databases, not LDAP directories.
- ✗
Remote file inclusion
Why it's wrong here
Remote file inclusion involves including remote files on the server, not LDAP injection.
- ✓
LDAP injection
Why this is correct
LDAP injection occurs when user input is improperly concatenated into LDAP queries.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.