The correct answer is Local File Inclusion (LFI), and it will not succeed because the appended .php extension forces the server to look for /etc/passwd.php, which does not exist. This is a classic example of how local file inclusion with appended .php extension works: the include() function concatenates the user-supplied path with the string .php, so even a directory traversal attempt like ../../etc/passwd becomes ../../etc/passwd.php, breaking the exploit. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your understanding of common LFI bypass techniques and why simple path traversal fails when a fixed extension is added. A frequent trap is assuming the attack will work without considering how PHP handles string concatenation in include statements. Remember the memory tip: “Appended .php? The path goes .php too.”
CEH Web Application and Injection Attacks Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of web application and injection attacks. 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 discovers that a web application includes the following code: 'include($_GET['page'] . '.php');' and the application is running on a Linux server. The tester attempts to exploit this by accessing 'index.php?page=../../etc/passwd'. What type of attack is this, and will it succeed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Local File Inclusion (LFI); it will not succeed because the '.php' extension is appended
This is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability. The appended '.php' extension prevents reading '/etc/passwd' because the file would be interpreted as '/etc/passwd.php', which does not exist.
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.
✗
Directory traversal; it will succeed because '../' bypasses restrictions
Why it's wrong here
Directory traversal typically reads files without inclusion; here the .php extension blocks reading.
✗
Remote File Inclusion (RFI); it will succeed because the parameter is not filtered
Why it's wrong here
RFI involves including a remote file; this is LFI, and the .php extension prevents success.
✗
Command injection; it will succeed if the server interprets PHP code
Why it's wrong here
This is not command injection; it is file inclusion.
✓
Local File Inclusion (LFI); it will not succeed because the '.php' extension is appended
Why this is correct
LFI includes local files, but the appended '.php' extension prevents direct file reading unless a null byte or other technique is used.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is not command injection; it is file inclusion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the CEH exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Web Application and Injection Attacks — This question tests Web Application and Injection Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Local File Inclusion (LFI); it will not succeed because the '.php' extension is appended — This is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability. The appended '.php' extension prevents reading '/etc/passwd' because the file would be interpreted as '/etc/passwd.php', which does not exist.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A web application uses user input in the following PHP code: include($_GET['page'] . '.php');. An attacker submits the URL: http://example.com/index.php?page=../../../../etc/passwd%00. Which two vulnerabilities are being attempted?
medium
A.RFI and command injection
✓ B.LFI and null byte injection
C.SQL injection and XSS
D.Directory traversal and IDOR
Why B: The attacker is using '../' for directory traversal to access files outside the web root, and a null byte injection (%00) to truncate the '.php' extension. This targets LFI (local file inclusion) via directory traversal.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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