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PT0-002 Practice Question: During reconnaissance, a penetration tester…
During reconnaissance, a penetration tester discovers a public GitHub repository belonging to the target organization. The repository contains internal project names, server IP addresses, and code comments with database credentials. Which reconnaissance technique does this represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse OSINT with active reconnaissance techniques like DNS enumeration or port scanning, failing to recognize that passive collection from public sources (like GitHub) is a distinct OSINT method.
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
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OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence)
The discovery of a public GitHub repository containing internal project names, server IP addresses, and database credentials is a classic example of OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence). OSINT involves collecting and analyzing publicly available information from sources like code repositories, social media, and websites to gain insights about a target without direct interaction. This technique leverages the fact that sensitive data is often inadvertently exposed in public repositories, making it a passive reconnaissance method.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence)
Why this is correct
OSINT involves collecting information from publicly accessible sources, such as GitHub repositories, without directly interacting with the target's systems. Discovering a public code repository is a classic OSINT activity; it may expose hardcoded credentials, internal infrastructure details, or proprietary code. This passive approach reduces detection risk and is often an early phase in penetration testing.
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DNS enumeration
Why it's wrong here
DNS enumeration specifically queries DNS servers for resource records like A, MX, TXT, and CNAME to map an organization's IP addresses and hostnames. It does not involve scanning or analyzing code repositories. Since the reconnaissance discovery is a public repository, that falls outside the scope of DNS enumeration, which is a network-layer activity focused on domain name records.
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Port scanning
Why it's wrong here
Port scanning involves actively sending crafted packets to target IP addresses to discover open TCP/UDP ports and running services. It is a network-level reconnaissance technique that interacts directly with the target infrastructure, potentially triggering intrusion detection systems. A public code repository on a site like GitHub is not discovered via port scanning; it is an application-level, passive information source.
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Social engineering
Why it's wrong here
Social engineering manipulates human psychology to trick individuals into divulging confidential information, such as through phishing, pretexting, or baiting. This scenario involves a publicly available code repository, which is an information source accessible without any human interaction or deception. Therefore, it does not fit the definition of social engineering; it is a non-interactive OSINT collection method.
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Related to this question
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Phishing Campaigns in Penetration Testing
Key term
Passive reconnaissance
Passive reconnaissance is the process of gathering information about a target system or network without directly interacting with it, using publicly available sources and stealthy observation.
Key term
OSINT
OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) is the practice of collecting and analyzing publicly available information from free or commercially available sources to support intelligence gathering, cybersecurity assessments, and penetration testing.
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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.