- A
NS record query
Why wrong: NS records only provide name servers.
- B
MX record query
Why wrong: MX records only provide mail server info.
- C
AXFR zone transfer request
AXFR attempts to retrieve all DNS records in a zone.
- D
A record query
Why wrong: A records only map hostnames to IPs.
Question 260 of 1,000
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, the tester wants to gather information about a target using publicly available DNS records, including mail servers, name servers, and possibly TXT records. Which type of DNS query would be most useful for obtaining a comprehensive list of these records?
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
✓
AXFR zone transfer request
An AXFR (zone transfer) request is the correct choice because it retrieves the entire DNS zone file from a name server, which includes all record types (A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, etc.) for a domain. This provides a comprehensive list of publicly available DNS records, making it ideal for information gathering during a penetration test. In contrast, specific queries like NS or MX only return a single record type, limiting the scope of enumeration.
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.
- ✗
NS record query
Why it's wrong here
NS records only provide name servers.
- ✗
MX record query
Why it's wrong here
MX records only provide mail server info.
- ✓
AXFR zone transfer request
Why this is correct
AXFR attempts to retrieve all DNS records in a zone.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A record query
Why it's wrong here
A records only map hostnames to IPs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse a single-record-type query (like NS or MX) with a comprehensive enumeration method, overlooking that AXFR is the only option that retrieves all DNS records in one request.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AXFR zone transfers are defined in RFC 1034 and 1035, and they rely on TCP port 53 to transfer the entire zone database. In real-world scenarios, many DNS servers are misconfigured to allow unrestricted zone transfers (often due to legacy settings or lack of access controls), which can expose internal hostnames, subdomains, and service records that are not otherwise enumerable via standard queries. Tools like `dig axfr @nameserver domain.com` or `nslookup -type=any` can be used to attempt this, but modern secure configurations typically restrict AXFR to authorized secondary servers only.
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Common DNS Record Types
| Record | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address mapping | example.com → 93.184.216.34 |
| AAAA | IPv6 address mapping | example.com → 2606:2800::1 |
| CNAME | Alias to another hostname | www → example.com |
| MX | Mail server for domain | example.com → mail.example.com (priority 10) |
| TXT | Text data (SPF, DKIM, verification) | v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all |
| NS | Authoritative name servers | example.com NS ns1.example.com |
| PTR | Reverse DNS (IP → hostname) | 34.216.184.93.in-addr.arpa → example.com |
| SOA | Zone authority record | Primary NS, admin email, serial, TTL defaults |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
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: AXFR zone transfer request — An AXFR (zone transfer) request is the correct choice because it retrieves the entire DNS zone file from a name server, which includes all record types (A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, etc.) for a domain. This provides a comprehensive list of publicly available DNS records, making it ideal for information gathering during a penetration test. In contrast, specific queries like NS or MX only return a single record type, limiting the scope of enumeration.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PT0-002 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 PT0-002 exam.
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