The answer is a pass-the-hash attack. This is the most effective method for escalating to domain admin because capturing plaintext passwords from memory—using a tool like Mimikatz with the sekurlsa::logonpasswords command—provides the tester with the actual credentials of a domain admin account. Instead of cracking hashes or forging Kerberos tickets, the tester can directly reuse the NTLM hash or plaintext password to authenticate to the domain controller and other systems, achieving privilege escalation instantly. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of post-exploitation credential dumping and lateral movement; a common trap is confusing pass-the-hash with pass-the-ticket or overpass-the-hash, which rely on different artifacts. Remember the memory tip: “Plaintext in memory? Pass-the-hash to victory.”
PT0-002 Attacks and Exploits Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of attacks and exploits. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 targeting a Windows domain controller. After compromising a standard user account, the tester wants to escalate to domain admin. Which attack is most effective if the tester can capture plaintext passwords from memory?
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 attack
Option C is correct because capturing plaintext passwords from memory (e.g., via Mimikatz sekurlsa::logonpasswords) allows the tester to directly use the domain admin's plaintext credentials in a pass-the-hash attack. This attack reuses the NTLM hash (or plaintext) to authenticate to other systems without needing to crack or forge tickets, making it the most direct escalation path from a standard user to domain admin when plaintext passwords are available.
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.
✗
Create a golden ticket
Why it's wrong here
A golden ticket requires the KRBTGT account hash, not a standard user's hash.
✗
Create a silver ticket
Why it's wrong here
A silver ticket requires the hash of a service account.
✓
Pass-the-hash attack
Why this is correct
With a captured NTLM hash, the tester can authenticate to other services as that user, potentially gaining domain admin if the user has privileges.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
DCSync attack
Why it's wrong here
DCSync requires domain admin or equivalent rights to replicate directory services.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse pass-the-hash with Kerberos-based attacks (golden/silver tickets) or DCSync, but the key differentiator is that plaintext passwords in memory enable direct NTLM authentication, not ticket forgery or replication attacks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pass-the-hash (PtH) exploits the NTLM authentication protocol by using the captured hash (or plaintext) to respond to server challenges, bypassing the need for the actual password. In Windows, tools like Mimikatz can extract plaintext passwords from LSASS memory, which can then be used directly in PtH to authenticate to remote systems via SMB or other services. A real-world scenario is when a domain admin logs into a compromised workstation, leaving their plaintext credentials in memory, allowing the tester to immediately escalate to domain admin without further attacks.
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.
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 attack — Option C is correct because capturing plaintext passwords from memory (e.g., via Mimikatz sekurlsa::logonpasswords) allows the tester to directly use the domain admin's plaintext credentials in a pass-the-hash attack. This attack reuses the NTLM hash (or plaintext) to authenticate to other systems without needing to crack or forge tickets, making it the most direct escalation path from a standard user to domain admin when plaintext passwords are available.
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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