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During a web application test, a penetration tester discovers that the application exposes internal object references (e.g., user ID in a URL) and does not properly authorize access. The tester can view other users' private data by simply changing the ID parameter. Which type of vulnerability does this represent?

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During a web application test, a penetration tester discovers that the application exposes internal object references (e.g., user ID in a URL) and does not properly authorize access. The tester can view other users' private data by simply changing the ID parameter. Which type of vulnerability does this represent?

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

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSRF tricks a user into performing actions without their consent, not directly accessing objects by manipulating identifiers.

B

Best answer

Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)

Correct. The scenario describes exactly this: direct manipulation of an object reference (user ID) to access other users' data without proper authorization.

C

Distractor review

SQL Injection

SQL injection would involve injecting SQL commands, not simply changing a parameter value in a URL to access other records.

D

Distractor review

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

XSS involves injecting client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users, not manipulating object references.

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.

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.

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: Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) — Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) occurs when an application exposes a reference to an internal implementation object, such as a database key, without proper access control checks. The tester can manipulate the reference to access unauthorized data.

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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