Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A penetration tester wants to identify the web server software and version used by a target organization without sending any packets to the target's infrastructure. Which of the following techniques is most effective for this purpose?
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.
A
Best answer
Use Shodan to search for the target's IP address or domain and review the gathered banners.
Shodan's database contains data from previous scans, including HTTP server headers, banners, and other service fingerprints. This is a purely passive technique that leverages publicly available data.
B
Distractor review
Perform a DNS zone transfer to obtain internal server information.
A DNS zone transfer is an active query that sends a request to the DNS server. Many servers restrict zone transfers, and even if successful, the data obtained does not typically include web server software versions.
C
Distractor review
Use netcat to connect to port 80 and read the HTTP banner.
Netcat establishes a TCP connection to the target, which is an active interaction. This will be logged and is not passive.
D
Distractor review
Use nmap -sV with a delayed scan to avoid detection.
Nmap sends packets to the target to perform version detection. Even with a slow timing template, it is still active scanning and will generate traffic that could be detected.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Shodan to search for the target's IP address or domain and review the gathered banners. — Passive reconnaissance aims to gather information without direct interaction. Shodan is a search engine that indexes banners and service information from internet-facing devices. It regularly scans the internet and stores this data. By querying Shodan, the tester can retrieve historical information about the target's web server software, version, and other exposed services without sending a single packet.
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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