The answer is Impacket’s psexec using pass-the-hash, because the tester already possesses the NTLM hash of a domain administrator and has SMB access on port 445 to the target Windows server. Pass-the-hash (PtH) for lateral movement allows authentication by substituting the captured hash for the plaintext password, and Impacket’s psexec leverages that hash over SMB to remotely execute commands without needing to crack the hash first. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how PtH bypasses password requirements in Windows environments, often appearing in questions about moving from a compromised Linux pivot to a Windows domain-joined host. A common trap is assuming you need the plaintext password or a cracked hash; remember, the hash alone is sufficient for NTLM-based authentication. Memory tip: “Hash in hand, SMB at 445, psexec keeps the lateral drive alive.”
PT0-002 Attacks and Exploits Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of attacks and exploits. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A penetration tester has compromised a Linux server and wants to move laterally to a Windows server. The Linux server has network access to the Windows server on port 445. The tester has a captured NTLM hash of a domain administrator account. Which technique is most likely to allow the tester to authenticate and execute commands on the Windows server?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Pass-the-hash allows authentication using the NTLM hash directly, enabling lateral movement to Windows systems.
B
Kerberos Golden Ticket attack
Why wrong: Golden Ticket requires the KRBTGT hash and is used for maintaining persistence in Active Directory, not for straightforward authentication with a single hash.
C
SMB relay attack using the hash
Why wrong: SMB relay captures authentication and forwards it; the tester already has the hash and does not need to relay it.
D
Brute-force password cracking of the hash
Why wrong: While possible, cracking is time-consuming and unnecessary since the hash can be used directly for authentication via PtH.
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 using Impacket's psexec
Option A is correct because the tester has a captured NTLM hash of a domain administrator account and network access to the Windows server on port 445 (SMB). Pass-the-hash (PtH) allows authentication using the NTLM hash directly without needing the plaintext password. Impacket's psexec uses the SMB protocol to authenticate with the hash and execute commands remotely, making it the most direct and effective technique for lateral movement in this scenario.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 using Impacket's psexec
Why this is correct
Pass-the-hash allows authentication using the NTLM hash directly, enabling lateral movement to Windows systems.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Kerberos Golden Ticket attack
Why it's wrong here
Golden Ticket requires the KRBTGT hash and is used for maintaining persistence in Active Directory, not for straightforward authentication with a single hash.
✗
SMB relay attack using the hash
Why it's wrong here
SMB relay captures authentication and forwards it; the tester already has the hash and does not need to relay it.
✗
Brute-force password cracking of the hash
Why it's wrong here
While possible, cracking is time-consuming and unnecessary since the hash can be used directly for authentication via PtH.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse pass-the-hash with SMB relay, but relay requires intercepting a live authentication attempt, whereas pass-the-hash directly uses the captured hash to authenticate without any relay.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pass-the-hash works because NTLM authentication uses the hash as the secret; tools like Impacket's psexec or wmiexec supply the NTLM hash in the SMB session setup, allowing command execution via service creation or scheduled tasks. In real-world engagements, PtH is highly effective against Windows systems that do not enforce Credential Guard or KB2871997 mitigations, and it bypasses the need for password cracking. The captured hash must be an NTLM hash (not NTLMv2) and the account must have local administrator privileges on the target Windows server for psexec to succeed.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PT0-002 question in full detail.
Attacks and Exploits — This question tests Attacks and Exploits — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Pass-the-hash using Impacket's psexec — Option A is correct because the tester has a captured NTLM hash of a domain administrator account and network access to the Windows server on port 445 (SMB). Pass-the-hash (PtH) allows authentication using the NTLM hash directly without needing the plaintext password. Impacket's psexec uses the SMB protocol to authenticate with the hash and execute commands remotely, making it the most direct and effective technique for lateral movement in this scenario.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are common techniques used during a pass-the-hash attack? (Select TWO.)
medium
✓ A.Extracting NTLM hashes from LSASS
B.Performing a brute-force attack on the hash
C.Using a password spray attack
✓ D.Injecting hashes into a process to authenticate
E.Requesting Kerberos TGS tickets
Why A: Option A is correct because in a pass-the-hash attack, the attacker first extracts NTLM hashes from the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) process memory. LSASS stores user credentials, including NTLM hashes, after successful authentication. By dumping LSASS (e.g., using Mimikatz sekurlsa::logonpasswords), the attacker obtains the hash without needing the plaintext password.
Variation 2. A penetration tester has compromised a host and wants to move laterally to a server using pass-the-hash. Which of the following is required for a successful pass-the-hash attack against a Windows target?
medium
A.The target must have SMB signing enabled
✓ B.The target must have the same local admin password hash
C.The target must have a user account with the same password
D.The target must have the same machine account hash
Why B: Pass-the-hash (PtH) attacks exploit the NTLM challenge-response authentication mechanism. When a target has the same local administrator password hash as the compromised host, the attacker can use the captured hash to authenticate to the target without knowing the plaintext password. This works because Windows caches the password hash in LSASS, and tools like Mimikatz can extract it for replay.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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