PT0-002 Attacks and Exploits Practice Question
During a web application test, you find a feature that allows users to export data as PDF. The PDF generation uses user input without sanitization. You inject an XML external entity that reads /etc/passwd and the content appears in the PDF. Which vulnerability is present?
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
✓
XML External Entity (XXE)
XXE (XML External Entity) allows reading files via XML entities when the parser is vulnerable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Why it's wrong here
SSRF makes HTTP requests, not XML entity expansion.
- ✓
XML External Entity (XXE)
Why this is correct
XXE uses external entities to read files.
- ✗
Command injection
Why it's wrong here
Command injection executes OS commands, not XML entities.
- ✗
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Why it's wrong here
XSS injects scripts, not XML entities.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every PT0-003 question from scratch — 185 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.