PT0-002 Attacks and Exploits Practice Question
During a penetration test, a tester runs the Responder tool on the internal network and captures an NTLMv2 hash. Which type of network attack is being performed?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
LLMNR/NBT-NS poisoning
Responder poisons LLMNR, NBT-NS, and mDNS queries to capture NTLM hashes from systems trying to resolve names.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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ARP spoofing
Why it's wrong here
ARP spoofing (ARP cache poisoning) sends forged Address Resolution Protocol replies to associate the attacker's MAC address with the IP of a legitimate host, redirecting traffic at Layer 2. While it enables man-in-the-middle interception, it does not exploit the LLMNR/NBT-NS name resolution process that Responder targets, so it would not cause the responder tool to capture NTLMv2 hashes directly in this context.
- ✗
Relay attack
Why it's wrong here
A relay attack (e.g., SMB relay) forwards an authentication challenge/response to a target service in real time, allowing the attacker to authenticate as the victim without offline cracking. Responder by default only intercepts and logs NTLMv1/v2 hashes for offline cracking; it does not forward them to a separate server to complete an authentication, so describing Responder's function as a relay attack mischaracterizes the tool's primary use.
- ✓
LLMNR/NBT-NS poisoning
Why this is correct
Responder listens for Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) and NetBIOS Name Service (NBT-NS) queries that fail to resolve via DNS. It responds with its own IP address, tricking clients into sending authentication challenges (NTLMv1/v2 hashes) to the attacker, which can then be cracked offline or used in further attacks. This is the specific name-resolution poisoning technique that the responder tool is designed for, making it the correct choice.
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SSL stripping
Why it's wrong here
SSL stripping (e.g., Moxie Marlinspike's tool sslstrip) downgrades a secure HTTPS connection to plaintext HTTP during the initial redirect, allowing an attacker to intercept credentials in cleartext. It manipulates the HTTP/HTTPS protocol negotiation and TLS, not the link-local name resolution protocols (LLMNR/NBT-NS) that Responder poisons, so it is unrelated to capturing NTLM hashes via Responder.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PT0-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PT0-003 exam.