This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of attacks and exploits. 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.
During a network penetration test, the tester identifies that a web server is vulnerable to a buffer overflow. The server is running on a Windows system with DEP enabled. Which technique should the tester use to bypass DEP?
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)
Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) is the correct technique to bypass Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on Windows. DEP marks memory pages (like the stack and heap) as non-executable, preventing direct shellcode execution. ROP chains together small instruction sequences (gadgets) already present in executable memory (e.g., in loaded DLLs) to achieve arbitrary behavior without injecting or executing new code.
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-to-libc attack
Why it's wrong here
Return-to-libc bypasses NX but not necessarily on Windows with DEP; ROP is more common.
✓
Return-Oriented Programming (ROP)
Why this is correct
ROP uses existing code gadgets to execute arbitrary commands without injecting new code.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a NOP sled and shellcode injection
Why it's wrong here
NOP sleds do not bypass DEP; DEP prevents execution in non-executable memory regions.
✗
Stack pivoting
Why it's wrong here
Stack pivoting moves the stack pointer to a controlled area but does not bypass DEP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse DEP bypass with simple shellcode injection (Option C) or assume stack pivoting alone bypasses DEP, when in fact ROP is the standard technique to execute code without relying on executable stack memory.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ROP works by leveraging small code sequences ending with a 'ret' instruction (gadgets) that are already present in loaded modules. The tester builds a chain of addresses on the stack, each pointing to a gadget; when each gadget executes, it performs a small operation (e.g., moving a value to a register) and then pops the next address, effectively executing arbitrary logic. In a real-world scenario, a tester might use tools like Mona.py or ROPgadget to enumerate gadgets and construct a chain that calls VirtualProtect to mark a region as executable, then executes shellcode.
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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) — Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) is the correct technique to bypass Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on Windows. DEP marks memory pages (like the stack and heap) as non-executable, preventing direct shellcode execution. ROP chains together small instruction sequences (gadgets) already present in executable memory (e.g., in loaded DLLs) to achieve arbitrary behavior without injecting or executing new code.
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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