The answer is pass-the-hash, the most appropriate technique for lateral movement in Windows when you have captured NTLM hashes but lack plaintext passwords. This works because NTLM authentication relies on a challenge-response protocol where the hash itself serves as the secret; by using the hash to compute the correct response, you can impersonate the user without ever needing the plaintext password. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this question tests your understanding of post-exploitation lateral movement, often appearing in scenarios where tools like Mimikatz (with the `sekurlsa::pth` command) or Impacket’s `wmiexec.py` are used. A common trap is assuming you need to crack the hash first, but pass-the-hash bypasses that step entirely. Remember the memory tip: “Hash is enough—no need to crack, just attack.”
PT0-002 Attacks and Exploits Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of attacks and exploits. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 has gained access to a Windows workstation and extracted NTLM password hashes. The tester wants to move laterally to a server that authenticates using NTLM. The tester does not have the plaintext passwords. Which technique is MOST appropriate to authenticate to the server using the captured hashes?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Pass-the-hash
Pass-the-hash (PtH) is the correct technique because it allows the tester to authenticate to the remote server using the captured NTLM hash directly, without needing the plaintext password. NTLM authentication uses a challenge-response protocol where the hash itself is the secret; by presenting the hash in the response, the tester can impersonate the user. This is a well-known lateral movement technique in Windows environments, often executed with tools like Mimikatz (sekurlsa::pth) or Impacket's wmiexec.py.
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.
✓
Pass-the-hash
Why this is correct
Pass-the-hash uses the captured NTLM hash to authenticate to remote services without needing the plaintext password.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Brute force
Why it's wrong here
Brute forcing would require guessing the password, which is inefficient and unnecessary when hashes are available.
✗
Rainbow tables
Why it's wrong here
Rainbow tables are used to crack hashes, not to authenticate directly; they require time to reverse the hash.
✗
Keylogging
Why it's wrong here
Keylogging would capture keystrokes on the current machine, but does not help authenticate to a remote server using existing hashes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think they need the plaintext password for authentication and choose brute force or rainbow tables, not realizing that NTLM authentication accepts the hash directly in the challenge-response exchange, making pass-the-hash the most efficient lateral movement technique.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, NTLMv1/v2 authentication works by the server sending an 8-byte challenge to the client, which then computes an HMAC-MD5 (for NTLMv2) or DES-based (for NTLMv1) response using the NTLM hash as the key. In a pass-the-hash attack, the tester injects the captured hash into the local authentication session (e.g., via LSASS manipulation) so that the response is computed with the correct hash, bypassing the need for the plaintext. A real-world scenario is compromising a domain admin's hash from a workstation and using PtH to access a domain controller, which is why Microsoft has implemented mitigations like Credential Guard and Restricted Admin mode for RDP.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PT0-002 question in full detail.
Attacks and Exploits — This question tests Attacks and Exploits — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Pass-the-hash — Pass-the-hash (PtH) is the correct technique because it allows the tester to authenticate to the remote server using the captured NTLM hash directly, without needing the plaintext password. NTLM authentication uses a challenge-response protocol where the hash itself is the secret; by presenting the hash in the response, the tester can impersonate the user. This is a well-known lateral movement technique in Windows environments, often executed with tools like Mimikatz (sekurlsa::pth) or Impacket's wmiexec.py.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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