The answer is to read all network traffic by turning the switch into a hub. This is correct because a MAC flooding attack overwhelms the switch’s CAM table with thousands of fake MAC addresses, exhausting its memory and forcing the switch into fail-open mode. In this state, the switch can no longer look up destination ports, so it broadcasts all incoming frames out every port, effectively behaving like a hub and allowing the attacker to sniff all traffic. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of Layer 2 attacks and switch security weaknesses; a common trap is confusing MAC flooding with ARP poisoning, which targets individual host caches rather than the switch’s forwarding table. Remember the memory tip: “Flood the CAM, turn the switch into a ham”—meaning it broadcasts like a ham radio, letting you hear everything.
CEH Practice Question: Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of malware, social engineering and network 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 uses a tool to perform a MAC flooding attack. What is the intended result of this attack?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Read all network traffic by turning the switch into a hub
MAC flooding overwhelms a switch's CAM table, causing it to enter fail-open mode and broadcast all frames, allowing the attacker to sniff traffic.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Read all network traffic by turning the switch into a hub
Why this is correct
MAC flooding makes the switch act like a hub, forwarding all frames to all ports.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CEH subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Read all network traffic by turning the switch into a hub — MAC flooding overwhelms a switch's CAM table, causing it to enter fail-open mode and broadcast all frames, allowing the attacker to sniff traffic.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CEH subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH 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.