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During a web application test, a penetration tester suspects an LDAP injection vulnerability. The application uses user input to dynamically construct an LDAP query. The tester submits the following payload in the username field: 'admin)(&)'. The application returns a list of all users instead of the expected single user. Which of the following best describes the reason this payload was effective?

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During a web application test, a penetration tester suspects an LDAP injection vulnerability. The application uses user input to dynamically construct an LDAP query. The tester submits the following payload in the username field: 'admin)(&)'. The application returns a list of all users instead of the expected single user. Which of the following best describes the reason this payload was effective?

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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

Distractor review

The payload causes an LDAP error that triggers a fallback to list all users.

LDAP injection typically manipulates the filter logic rather than causing errors. A fallback listing all users would be unusual and not a typical LDAP behavior.

B

Distractor review

The payload modifies the base DN to search the entire directory.

The base DN is set separately in the LDAP query; the injected payload only affects the filter, not the base DN.

C

Distractor review

The payload introduces a logical OR that negates the original condition.

The injected '(&)' is a conjunction, not a disjunction. It does not negate the condition; it adds an always-true sub-filter.

D

Best answer

The payload closes the original filter and appends a tautology that returns all objects.

The correct interpretation: by closing the original filter with ')' and injecting '(&)', the tester creates a condition that is always true, causing the query to return all directory objects.

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: The payload closes the original filter and appends a tautology that returns all objects. — The payload closes the original filter with a parenthesis and injects a tautology ('(&)') which matches all entries. In LDAP, the '&' operator combines conditions; an empty condition inside '(&)' evaluates to true, so the modified filter returns all objects. This confirms the injection point and shows that the application does not sanitize input appropriately. The other options describe different vulnerabilities or incorrect interpretations.

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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