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.
Which TWO of the following are common techniques used during a pass-the-hash attack? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Extracting NTLM hashes from LSASS
Option A is correct because in a pass-the-hash attack, the attacker first extracts NTLM hashes from the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) process memory. LSASS stores user credentials, including NTLM hashes, after successful authentication. By dumping LSASS (e.g., using Mimikatz sekurlsa::logonpasswords), the attacker obtains the hash without needing the plaintext password.
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.
✓
Extracting NTLM hashes from LSASS
Why this is correct
LSASS stores NTLM hashes in memory; extracting them enables PtH.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Performing a brute-force attack on the hash
Why it's wrong here
Brute-forcing hashes is cracking, not pass-the-hash.
✗
Using a password spray attack
Why it's wrong here
Password spray is a guessing attack, not PtH.
✓
Injecting hashes into a process to authenticate
Why this is correct
Tools like Mimikatz can inject hashes into processes to authenticate as the user.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Requesting Kerberos TGS tickets
Why it's wrong here
That is kerberoasting, not PtH.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between pass-the-hash and hash cracking: candidates mistakenly think brute-forcing the hash (Option B) is part of the attack, but pass-the-hash reuses the hash as-is, never attempting to reverse it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pass-the-hash exploits the NTLM challenge-response protocol: the attacker injects the extracted NTLM hash into a process (e.g., using Mimikatz sekurlsa::pth) to authenticate to remote services without knowing the plaintext password. This works because NTLM authentication only requires the hash to compute the response to the server's challenge. In real-world scenarios, tools like Impacket's wmiexec.py or psexec.py automate hash injection to gain remote code execution on Windows systems.
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: Extracting NTLM hashes from LSASS — Option A is correct because in a pass-the-hash attack, the attacker first extracts NTLM hashes from the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) process memory. LSASS stores user credentials, including NTLM hashes, after successful authentication. By dumping LSASS (e.g., using Mimikatz sekurlsa::logonpasswords), the attacker obtains the hash without needing the plaintext password.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.