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During a penetration test, a tester identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in a Linux binary. The system has ASLR and NX (Non-Executable) enabled. The tester finds a ROP gadget at a fixed address in a library that is loaded at a constant address across reboots. Which exploitation method is the most appropriate to achieve code execution?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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During a penetration test, a tester identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability in a Linux binary. The system has ASLR and NX (Non-Executable) enabled. The tester finds a ROP gadget at a fixed address in a library that is loaded at a constant address across reboots. Which exploitation method is the most appropriate 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

Best answer

Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) chain

ROP chains bypass both ASLR (if gadgets are at fixed addresses) and NX by reusing existing code snippets.

B

Distractor review

Return-to-libc attack

Return-to-libc is a limited form of ROP; it may not allow complex operations if multiple functions are needed.

C

Distractor review

Heap spraying

Heap spraying places shellcode in predictable heap locations but still requires an executable memory region, which NX prevents.

D

Distractor review

SEH overwrite exploit

SEH overwrite is a Windows-specific technique and does not apply to Linux.

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: Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) chain — With NX enabled, the stack is non-executable, so traditional shellcode injection will fail. ASLR randomizes memory addresses, but if a gadget is at a fixed address (e.g., in a library not affected by ASLR or in a non-PIE binary), Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) can chain gadgets to execute arbitrary code without needing an executable stack. Return-to-libc is a simpler form of ROP but is less flexible when multiple calls are needed. Heap spraying helps bypass ASLR by filling the heap but still requires an executable region. SEH overwrites are specific to Windows.

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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