This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of attacks and exploits. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 successfully exploited a buffer overflow vulnerability in a Linux binary. However, the binary has Data Execution Prevention (DEP) enabled and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) disabled. Which exploitation technique is MOST appropriate to achieve code execution in this environment?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Return-oriented programming (ROP) to bypass DEP
Return-oriented programming (ROP) is the most appropriate technique because DEP marks the stack and heap as non-executable, preventing direct shellcode injection. With ASLR disabled, the attacker can reliably locate and chain small instruction sequences (gadgets) from the binary or loaded libraries to achieve arbitrary code execution without needing executable memory regions.
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.
✓
Return-oriented programming (ROP) to bypass DEP
Why this is correct
ROP chains use existing code snippets (gadgets) to perform operations without injecting executable code, bypassing DEP effectively.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Simple shellcode injection on the stack
Why it's wrong here
Shellcode injection requires the stack to be executable (no DEP), which is not the case here.
✗
ASLR bypass techniques
Why it's wrong here
ASLR is already disabled, so no bypass is needed; this technique does not address DEP.
✗
Heap spraying
Why it's wrong here
Heap spraying is typically used to bypass ASLR by filling memory with predictable shellcode, but it does not bypass DEP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that DEP can be bypassed by simply injecting shellcode onto the stack, ignoring that DEP explicitly prevents execution from non-executable pages, making ROP or similar code-reuse techniques mandatory.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ROP works by overwriting the return address with a pointer to a gadget (e.g., 'pop rdi; ret'), then chaining subsequent gadgets to call system functions like mprotect() to mark a memory region as executable, or directly invoke execve() with controlled arguments. In a real-world scenario, a penetration tester might use ROP against a Linux binary compiled with -fstack-protector and NX enabled, but without ASLR, the gadget addresses remain static across runs, simplifying the exploit.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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: Return-oriented programming (ROP) to bypass DEP — Return-oriented programming (ROP) is the most appropriate technique because DEP marks the stack and heap as non-executable, preventing direct shellcode injection. With ASLR disabled, the attacker can reliably locate and chain small instruction sequences (gadgets) from the binary or loaded libraries to achieve arbitrary code execution without needing executable memory regions.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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