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hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped

During a penetration test, a tester finds a custom binary that is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow. The binary has DEP enabled but no ASLR. Which of the following exploitation techniques would be MOST effective to achieve code execution?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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During a penetration test, a tester finds a custom binary that is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow. The binary has DEP enabled but no ASLR. Which of the following exploitation techniques would be MOST effective to achieve code execution?

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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

Return-oriented programming (ROP) to bypass DEP

While ROP can bypass DEP, it is a broader technique. The more specific and straightforward method here is ret2libc, which also bypasses DEP and is simpler given no ASLR.

B

Distractor review

Heap spraying to inject shellcode

Heap spraying is used to bypass ASLR by filling the heap with shellcode; it does not bypass DEP.

C

Best answer

ret2libc to call system() with a controlled argument

ret2libc leverages existing libc functions (like system) at fixed addresses (since no ASLR) to execute commands, bypassing DEP.

D

Distractor review

Stack pivoting to redirect execution to a known location

Stack pivoting is useful when you control the stack pointer but does not directly bypass DEP.

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.

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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: ret2libc to call system() with a controlled argument — With DEP enabled, shellcode cannot be executed directly on the stack. However, since ASLR is disabled, the addresses of system functions in libc are predictable. The ret2libc technique (a form of ROP) allows the attacker to call system() with a controlled argument (e.g., "/bin/sh") to gain code execution without needing to execute shellcode.

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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