A penetration tester is analyzing the results of a vulnerability scan against a web application. The scanner reports a potential SQL injection vulnerability in a login form parameter. However, manual testing with the same payload does not produce any error messages or changes in behavior. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the false positive?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
The scanner used a payload that was not URL-encoded
While encoding issues can cause false negatives, they rarely cause false positives. The scanner would generally not report a positive if the payload was malformed.
Best answer
The web application is using a parameterized query that sanitizes input
Parameterized queries separate SQL logic from data, preventing injection even if input appears malicious. The scanner may have flagged based on the payload string, but the application handled it safely.
Distractor review
The scanning engine is outdated and does not support the latest SQL syntax
An outdated engine might miss vulnerabilities (false negatives) but is unlikely to produce false positives for SQL injection.
Distractor review
The login form is protected by a CAPTCHA that blocks automated scanning
CAPTCHA might prevent the scanner from completing the form, but the scanner would likely report an error or inability to test, not a false positive for SQL injection.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Related practice questions
Related PT0-002 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A penetration tester is writing the executive summary for a report. The client's CEO needs to understand the business impact of a critical SQL injection vulnerability. Which of the following should the tester include?
Question 2
A penetration tester has gained a low-privileged shell on a Linux server. During enumeration, the tester discovers a binary with the SUID bit set that belongs to root and is known to have a buffer overflow vulnerability. What is the MOST effective next step to escalate privileges?
Question 3
A penetration tester is performing passive reconnaissance against a target domain. Which of the following resources can be used to gather information about the target without directly sending packets to the target's network? (Select two.) (Choose 2.)
Question 4
A penetration tester has obtained a TGT from a domain controller by cracking the krbtgt hash. Which attack can the tester now perform to gain persistent administrative access to any resource in the domain?
Question 5
A penetration tester is writing the executive summary for the final report. The CEO needs to understand the overall risk level and the business impact of the findings. Which of the following should be included in the executive summary?
Question 6
A penetration tester is writing the executive summary of a penetration test report. Which of the following elements is MOST important to include for a non-technical audience?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The web application is using a parameterized query that sanitizes input — Parameterized queries (prepared statements) are a robust defense against SQL injection. If manual testing shows no reaction, the application is likely using parameterized queries, which safely handle user input. Scanner false positives can occur when the scanner's payload triggers a pattern match but does not exploit the vulnerability.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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