Quick Answer
The answer is a WPS PIN brute-force attack. This is correct because Reaver is a specialized tool designed to exploit the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) PIN authentication mechanism, which is vulnerable to brute-force attacks due to its weak design—the PIN is only 8 digits, with the last digit being a checksum, reducing the effective search space to roughly 11,000 attempts. The command `reaver -i wlan0mon -b 00:11:22:33:44:55 -vv` targets a specific access point by its BSSID on a monitor-mode interface, instructing Reaver to systematically try PIN combinations until the correct one is found, ultimately revealing the WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your ability to identify wireless attack tools and their specific functions; a common trap is confusing Reaver with aircrack-ng (which cracks captured handshakes offline) or thinking the attack targets the WPA2 encryption directly. Remember the mnemonic: “Reaver Recovers the PIN, not the Packet”—it attacks the PIN registration process, not the encrypted handshake.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of advanced topics: wireless, cloud, iot, cryptography. 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 executes the following command: 'reaver -i wlan0mon -b 00:11:22:33:44:55 -vv'. Which attack is being performed?
WEP IV attack
Why wrong: WEP IV attacks use tools like aircrack-ng, not Reaver.
Evil twin attack
Why wrong: Evil twin attacks set up a rogue AP, typically with tools like airbase-ng.
De-authentication attack
Why wrong: De-authentication attacks use aireplay-ng, not Reaver.
WPS PIN brute-force attack
Reaver performs brute-force attacks against the WPS PIN to recover the PSK.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
WPS PIN brute-force attack
Reaver is a tool used for brute-forcing WPS PINs to recover the WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key. The command specifies the interface and BSSID, indicating a WPS attack.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
WEP IV attack
Why it's wrong here
WEP IV attacks use tools like aircrack-ng, not Reaver.
Evil twin attack
Why it's wrong here
Evil twin attacks set up a rogue AP, typically with tools like airbase-ng.
De-authentication attack
Why it's wrong here
De-authentication attacks use aireplay-ng, not Reaver.
WPS PIN brute-force attack
Why this is correct
Reaver performs brute-force attacks against the WPS PIN to recover the PSK.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — This question tests Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: WPS PIN brute-force attack — Reaver is a tool used for brute-forcing WPS PINs to recover the WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key. The command specifies the interface and BSSID, indicating a WPS attack.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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Variation 1. Which of the following tools is specifically designed to exploit WPS vulnerabilities on wireless networks?
mediumWhy D: Reaver is specifically designed to exploit the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) PIN brute-force vulnerability. It targets the WPS registrar's lack of rate limiting and the fact that the PIN is split into two halves, making it feasible to guess the 8-digit PIN in under 10,000 attempts. This allows an attacker to recover the WPA/WPA2 pre-shared key without needing to crack the actual encryption.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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