- A
Perform DLL hijacking on a system service
Why wrong: DLL hijacking is a different technique.
- B
Use msiexec to silently install a crafted MSI
msiexec can be used to install the malicious MSI with SYSTEM privileges.
- C
Exploit a kernel vulnerability
Why wrong: No kernel exploit needed; the misconfiguration is already present.
- D
Modify the registry key to disable the policy
Why wrong: Modifying the registry requires administrative privileges.
- E
Run a malicious .msi file to execute commands as SYSTEM
With AlwaysInstallElevated, any MSI runs with elevated privileges.
Question 518 of 1,000
PT0-002 Attacks and Exploits Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of attacks and exploits. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Windows privilege escalation attempt, a penetration tester discovers that the always elevated installation policy is enabled. Which of the following actions can the tester take to exploit this misconfiguration? (Choose TWO.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"always"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
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
✓
Use msiexec to silently install a crafted MSI
AlwaysInstallElevated allows any user to install .msi files with SYSTEM privileges. The tester can create a malicious MSI or use an existing one to execute commands.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Perform DLL hijacking on a system service
Why it's wrong here
DLL hijacking is a different technique.
- ✓
Use msiexec to silently install a crafted MSI
Why this is correct
msiexec can be used to install the malicious MSI with SYSTEM privileges.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Exploit a kernel vulnerability
Why it's wrong here
No kernel exploit needed; the misconfiguration is already present.
- ✗
Modify the registry key to disable the policy
Why it's wrong here
Modifying the registry requires administrative privileges.
- ✓
Run a malicious .msi file to execute commands as SYSTEM
Why this is correct
With AlwaysInstallElevated, any MSI runs with elevated privileges.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PT0-002 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Attacks and Exploits — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Attacks and Exploits — This question tests Attacks and Exploits — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use msiexec to silently install a crafted MSI — AlwaysInstallElevated allows any user to install .msi files with SYSTEM privileges. The tester can create a malicious MSI or use an existing one to execute commands.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PT0-002 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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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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