The answer is a misconfigured listener IP address. In an Impacket SMB relay attack, the listener IP must be set to the attacker’s own machine address so it can receive the relayed NTLM authentication attempts from the target. If this IP is incorrectly set—for example, to the target’s IP or left as 127.0.0.1—the relay server will never receive the forwarded hashes, causing the capture to fail entirely. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this question tests your understanding of how SMB relay tools like smbrelayx route traffic; a common trap is assuming the issue lies in the target IP or port instead. Remember: the listener must listen on *your* box, not theirs. A useful memory tip is “Listener = Loot Catcher”—if the catcher’s glove is in the wrong spot, the ball never arrives.
PT0-002 Tools and Code Analysis Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of tools and code analysis. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A penetration tester is analyzing a Python script that uses the Impacket library to perform an SMB relay attack. The script is failing to capture NTLM hashes from target machines. Which part of the script is MOST likely misconfigured?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The listener IP address
In an SMB relay attack using Impacket, the listener IP address must be set to the attacker's IP address where the relayed authentication is received. If the listener IP is misconfigured (e.g., set to the target's IP or left as localhost), the relay server will not receive the forwarded NTLM hashes, causing the capture to fail. This is a common configuration error when using Impacket's 'smbrelayx' or similar scripts.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The target IP address
Why it's wrong here
The target IP is the victim's address; while important, failure in hash capture is more likely due to the relay listener configuration.
✓
The listener IP address
Why this is correct
The listener IP must be set to the attacker's IP and reachable from the target; an incorrect listener IP will prevent the relay from receiving hashes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The SMB version negotiation
Why it's wrong here
Impacket handles SMB version negotiation automatically; misconfiguration is rarely an issue.
✗
The authentication method (NTLMv1 vs NTLMv2)
Why it's wrong here
While the hash type matters, the script typically handles both; the failure to capture hashes is more fundamental (listener IP).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the listener IP with the target IP, assuming the script needs the target's IP to capture hashes, when in fact the listener IP must be the attacker's own IP to receive the relayed authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Impacket's SMB relay attack works by setting up a rogue SMB server (listener) that intercepts authentication attempts and forwards them to a target service. The listener IP must be reachable by the victim machine (e.g., via ARP spoofing or DNS poisoning) and must be explicitly set in the script's configuration (e.g., '-smb2support' flag or '--server-ip'). A common mistake is using '0.0.0.0' or the target's IP, which prevents the relay server from binding to the correct interface, causing the victim's NTLM hash to never reach the attacker's machine.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PT0-002 question in full detail.
Tools and Code Analysis — This question tests Tools and Code Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The listener IP address — In an SMB relay attack using Impacket, the listener IP address must be set to the attacker's IP address where the relayed authentication is received. If the listener IP is misconfigured (e.g., set to the target's IP or left as localhost), the relay server will not receive the forwarded NTLM hashes, causing the capture to fail. This is a common configuration error when using Impacket's 'smbrelayx' or similar scripts.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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