Courseiva
← PT0-002
Full test
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped

During a penetration test, a tester identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in a Linux binary that has both ASLR and NX (Non-Executable) enabled. The tester discovers a ROP gadget at a fixed address in a library that is not affected by ASLR. Which technique can be used to exploit this vulnerability and achieve code execution?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

During a penetration test, a tester identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in a Linux binary that has both ASLR and NX (Non-Executable) enabled. The tester discovers a ROP gadget at a fixed address in a library that is not affected by ASLR. Which technique can be used to exploit this vulnerability and achieve code execution?

Full question →

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

Heap spraying to predict memory layout and inject shellcode

Heap spraying is often used to bypass ASLR but does not bypass NX; injected shellcode would still be non-executable.

B

Best answer

Return-oriented programming (ROP) using the fixed gadgets

ROP uses fixed gadgets to create a chain that bypasses NX and, with fixed addresses, can also bypass ASLR.

C

Distractor review

Stack canary bypass using information leak

Stack canaries detect buffer overflows; bypassing them does not address NX or ASLR.

D

Distractor review

Format string attack to overwrite GOT entries

Format string attacks can overwrite memory but do not directly bypass NX; they may be used in combination, but ROP is the direct solution here.

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.

PT0-002 fundamentals practice questions

Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 fundamentals.

PT0-002 scenario practice questions

Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 scenario.

PT0-002 troubleshooting practice questions

Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 troubleshooting.

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: Return-oriented programming (ROP) using the fixed gadgets — Return-oriented programming (ROP) can bypass NX by using existing code snippets (gadgets) to build a chain of operations. If the gadgets are at fixed addresses (not randomized by ASLR), the ROP chain can be reliably constructed to achieve arbitrary code execution without needing to inject executable code.

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.

Discussion

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.