The answer is VLAN hopping. This technique bypasses Private VLAN isolation by exploiting Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) to negotiate a trunk link with the switch, allowing the attacker to send and receive frames on multiple VLANs, including the target’s community or isolated VLAN, which enables ARP spoofing across those boundaries. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Private VLANs restrict host-to-host traffic at Layer 2 and why trunking misconfigurations create a bypass. A common trap is confusing this with ARP poisoning within the same VLAN, but remember that Private VLAN isolation specifically blocks that, forcing you to hop VLANs first. Memory tip: think “trunk to trunk” — VLAN hopping uses a trunk link to jump the isolation fence.
PT0-002 Practice Question: Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of information gathering and vulnerability scanning. 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 penetration test, a tester identifies that the target's network uses Private VLANs to isolate hosts. Which technique can be used to bypass this isolation and perform ARP spoofing?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
VLAN hopping
Private VLANs isolate hosts within the same VLAN by restricting traffic at the switch level. VLAN hopping (option D) allows an attacker to bypass this isolation by exploiting the switch's trunking protocol (e.g., DTP) to negotiate a trunk link, enabling the attacker to send and receive frames on multiple VLANs, including the target's community or isolated VLAN, thus facilitating ARP spoofing across the Private VLAN boundaries.
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.
✗
ARP cache poisoning from the switch
Why it's wrong here
ARP cache poisoning is typically done from a host, not the switch.
✗
MAC flooding
Why it's wrong here
MAC flooding overwhelms the switch's CAM table to force it into hub mode, but does not directly bypass Private VLANs.
✗
Double tagging
Why it's wrong here
Double tagging is a specific VLAN hopping technique, but VLAN hopping is the broader category.
✓
VLAN hopping
Why this is correct
VLAN hopping (e.g., double tagging) can bypass Private VLAN isolation by sending frames to another VLAN.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between VLAN hopping methods (DTP-based vs. double tagging), and the trap here is that candidates confuse double tagging with the general concept of VLAN hopping, but double tagging is not effective against Private VLANs because it relies on native VLAN misconfigurations on trunk ports, whereas DTP-based hopping directly negotiates a trunk to access all VLANs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Private VLANs use a primary VLAN and secondary VLANs (community and isolated) to restrict Layer 2 communication; hosts in an isolated VLAN can only communicate with the promiscuous port (e.g., a router). VLAN hopping via DTP negotiation (enabled by default on many Cisco switches) allows an attacker to establish a trunk link and then send frames tagged with the target's secondary VLAN ID, effectively bypassing the Private VLAN isolation and enabling ARP spoofing against hosts in different secondary VLANs. In a real-world scenario, this is often mitigated by disabling DTP and setting switchports to access mode explicitly.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PT0-002 question in full detail.
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — This question tests Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VLAN hopping — Private VLANs isolate hosts within the same VLAN by restricting traffic at the switch level. VLAN hopping (option D) allows an attacker to bypass this isolation by exploiting the switch's trunking protocol (e.g., DTP) to negotiate a trunk link, enabling the attacker to send and receive frames on multiple VLANs, including the target's community or isolated VLAN, thus facilitating ARP spoofing across the Private VLAN boundaries.
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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