- A
Kerberoasting
Why wrong: Kerberoasting requires an account with a Service Principal Name (SPN) and the ability to request a service ticket. GenericWrite over a computer object does not directly enable Kerberoasting.
- B
Shadow Credentials
With GenericWrite over a computer object, the tester can write to the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute to add a rogue key credential, enabling a Shadow Credentials attack to request a TGT for the computer account.
- C
AS-REP Roasting
Why wrong: AS-REP roasting targets accounts that do not require Kerberos pre-authentication. GenericWrite over a computer object does not affect pre-authentication settings.
- D
DCSync Attack
Why wrong: DCSync requires the Replication-Get-Changes-All extended right. GenericWrite on a computer object does not grant replication rights.
Quick Answer
The answer is the Shadow Credentials attack. This is correct because the GenericWrite privilege over a computer object in Active Directory allows an attacker to modify the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute, enabling them to write a rogue key credential. Once added, the Key Distribution Center (KDC) will accept certificate-based authentication for that computer, allowing the attacker to request a Ticket-Granting Ticket (TGT) and effectively impersonate the machine account to escalate privileges. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of post-exploitation privilege escalation via AD misconfigurations; a common trap is confusing GenericWrite with GenericAll, but the key distinction is that GenericWrite alone is sufficient to write the credential link without needing full control. Remember the mnemonic: “GenericWrite lets you write a key, Shadow Credentials set the KDC free.”
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.
A penetration tester has compromised a Windows workstation and obtained a low-privileged domain user account. The tester discovers that this user belongs to a group that has the 'GenericWrite' privilege over a computer object in Active Directory. Which attack is most directly enabled by this misconfiguration?
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
Shadow Credentials
The 'GenericWrite' privilege over a computer object allows the attacker to write to the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute of that object. By adding a rogue key credential, the attacker can trigger the Key Distribution Center (KDC) to accept a certificate-based authentication, enabling the Shadow Credentials attack to obtain a TGT for the computer account and escalate privileges.
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.
- ✗
Kerberoasting
Why it's wrong here
Kerberoasting requires an account with a Service Principal Name (SPN) and the ability to request a service ticket. GenericWrite over a computer object does not directly enable Kerberoasting.
- ✓
Shadow Credentials
Why this is correct
With GenericWrite over a computer object, the tester can write to the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute to add a rogue key credential, enabling a Shadow Credentials attack to request a TGT for the computer account.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
AS-REP Roasting
Why it's wrong here
AS-REP roasting targets accounts that do not require Kerberos pre-authentication. GenericWrite over a computer object does not affect pre-authentication settings.
- ✗
DCSync Attack
Why it's wrong here
DCSync requires the Replication-Get-Changes-All extended right. GenericWrite on a computer object does not grant replication rights.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the GenericWrite privilege with the ability to perform Kerberoasting or AS-REP Roasting, but those attacks require different preconditions (SPN or no pre-authentication) and do not directly exploit write access to computer object attributes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Shadow Credentials leverages the PKINIT protocol (RFC 4556) to request a TGT using a certificate instead of a password. The attacker adds a self-signed certificate's public key to the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute of the target computer object, then uses the corresponding private key to authenticate as that computer, gaining a TGT that can be used for lateral movement or DCSync.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Shadow Credentials — The 'GenericWrite' privilege over a computer object allows the attacker to write to the msDS-KeyCredentialLink attribute of that object. By adding a rogue key credential, the attacker can trigger the Key Distribution Center (KDC) to accept a certificate-based authentication, enabling the Shadow Credentials attack to obtain a TGT for the computer account and escalate privileges.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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