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A penetration tester writes a Python script to test for directory traversal vulnerabilities in a web application. The script uses the requests library to send a payload like '../../etc/passwd' and checks if the response contains the string 'root:'. However, the tester notices many false negatives because the application requires URL encoding of the dots and slashes. Which code modification would BEST improve the detection rate?

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A penetration tester writes a Python script to test for directory traversal vulnerabilities in a web application. The script uses the requests library to send a payload like '../../etc/passwd' and checks if the response contains the string 'root:'. However, the tester notices many false negatives because the application requires URL encoding of the dots and slashes. Which code modification would BEST improve the detection rate?

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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

Distractor review

Increase the number of payloads in the list

More payloads might cover more cases, but if encoding is the root cause, this alone won't fix the false negatives.

B

Best answer

URL-encode the payload using urllib.parse.quote()

Proper URL encoding ensures the payload is correctly interpreted by the server, matching common attack vectors.

C

Distractor review

Check the HTTP status code instead of response content

Status codes alone do not indicate successful traversal; the server may return a 200 OK for error messages too.

D

Distractor review

Use raw sockets to send HTTP requests manually

Raw sockets add complexity and do not inherently solve encoding issues; the requests library handles HTTP properly.

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

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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: URL-encode the payload using urllib.parse.quote() — Directory traversal payloads often require URL encoding to bypass input filters. Using urllib.parse.quote() ensures the payload is properly encoded, which matches what a real attacker would do and reduces false negatives. Adding more payloads (option A) could help but does not address the encoding issue. Checking status codes (option B) is not reliable for detecting traversal success. Using raw sockets (option D) is unnecessary and adds complexity.

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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