- A
The scanner used a payload that was not URL-encoded
Why wrong: 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.
- B
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.
- C
The scanning engine is outdated and does not support the latest SQL syntax
Why wrong: An outdated engine might miss vulnerabilities (false negatives) but is unlikely to produce false positives for SQL injection.
- D
The login form is protected by a CAPTCHA that blocks automated scanning
Why wrong: 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.
PT0-002 Practice Question: Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of information gathering and vulnerability scanning. 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 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?
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.
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
The web application is using a parameterized query that sanitizes input
Option B is correct because the use of parameterized queries (prepared statements) separates SQL logic from user input, preventing SQL injection even if the input contains malicious payloads. The scanner's payload triggered a false positive because the application's database layer safely handles the input, so no error or behavioral change occurs during manual testing.
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.
- ✗
The scanner used a payload that was not URL-encoded
Why it's wrong here
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.
- ✓
The web application is using a parameterized query that sanitizes input
Why this is correct
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.
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.
- ✗
The scanning engine is outdated and does not support the latest SQL syntax
Why it's wrong here
An outdated engine might miss vulnerabilities (false negatives) but is unlikely to produce false positives for SQL injection.
- ✗
The login form is protected by a CAPTCHA that blocks automated scanning
Why it's wrong here
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 traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a vulnerability scanner's report is always accurate and overlook the possibility of false positives due to input handling mechanisms like parameterized queries, instead focusing on payload encoding or scanner version issues.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Parameterized queries work by pre-compiling the SQL statement with placeholders for user input, ensuring that input is always treated as data, not executable code. In contrast, dynamic query construction concatenates user input directly into the SQL string, which is vulnerable to injection. A real-world scenario is a login form using prepared statements in Java (JDBC) or PHP (PDO), where even a classic ' OR '1'='1 payload fails to alter the query logic.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — This question tests Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The web application is using a parameterized query that sanitizes input — Option B is correct because the use of parameterized queries (prepared statements) separates SQL logic from user input, preventing SQL injection even if the input contains malicious payloads. The scanner's payload triggered a false positive because the application's database layer safely handles the input, so no error or behavioral change occurs during manual testing.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PT0-002 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 PT0-002 exam.
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