Quick Answer
The correct answer is a Smurf attack. This DDoS technique exploits ICMP broadcast amplification by sending a large number of ICMP echo request packets with a spoofed source IP address—the victim’s—to a network’s broadcast address, causing every host on that network to reply simultaneously to the victim, thereby overwhelming it with traffic. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of network-layer amplification attacks and the misuse of broadcast addressing; a common trap is confusing it with a ping flood, which targets a single host directly rather than leveraging broadcast amplification. Remember the mnemonic “Smurf sends spoofed ICMP to the broadcast, and the whole subnet smothers the victim.”
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 security analyst detects an ongoing DDoS attack where the attacker sends a large number of ICMP echo request packets with spoofed source IP addresses to a network's broadcast address. The attack overwhelms the target with responses from all hosts on the network. Which attack type is this?
UDP flood
Why wrong: UDP flood uses UDP packets, not ICMP.
SYN flood
Why wrong: SYN flood uses TCP SYN packets, not ICMP.
Smurf attack
Smurf uses ICMP echo requests to broadcast address with spoofed source, causing amplification.
Ping of Death
Why wrong: Ping of Death sends oversized ICMP packets to crash the target, not amplification via broadcast.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Smurf attack
A Smurf attack sends ICMP echo requests to the network broadcast address with the victim's spoofed source IP, causing all hosts to reply to the victim, amplifying 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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
UDP flood
SYN flood
Smurf attack
Ping of Death
Why it's wrong here
Ping of Death sends oversized ICMP packets to crash the target, not amplification via broadcast.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Smurf attack — A Smurf attack sends ICMP echo requests to the network broadcast address with the victim's spoofed source IP, causing all hosts to reply to the victim, amplifying traffic.
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.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Same concept, more angles
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 security analyst reviews logs and notices that an attacker crafted a packet with a source IP address matching the target's IP address, and sent it to a network's broadcast address. Which type of attack does this describe?
mediumWhy C: A Smurf attack sends a spoofed ICMP echo request to the broadcast address with the victim's IP as the source, causing all hosts to reply to the victim. The other options do not fit this description.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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