This CEH practice question tests your understanding of enumeration and system hacking. 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 runs 'nbtstat -A 192.168.1.10' and receives a table showing the machine name and a list of names registered. Which service is being enumerated?
SNMP
Why wrong: SNMP enumeration uses tools like snmpwalk.
LDAP
Why wrong: LDAP enumeration uses tools like ldapsearch or adfind.
SMTP
Why wrong: SMTP enumeration uses commands like VRFY, EXPN, RCPT TO.
NetBIOS
nbtstat is specifically for NetBIOS enumeration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
NetBIOS
The 'nbtstat -A' command performs a NetBIOS name table lookup against a remote IP address using the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) protocol. It queries the target's NetBIOS name service (UDP port 137) and returns the registered names, including the machine name, workgroup/domain, and logged-in users. This directly enumerates the NetBIOS service, making D the correct answer.
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.
SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP enumeration uses tools like snmpwalk.
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP enumeration uses tools like ldapsearch or adfind.
SMTP
Why it's wrong here
SMTP enumeration uses commands like VRFY, EXPN, RCPT TO.
NetBIOS
Why this is correct
nbtstat is specifically for NetBIOS enumeration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the nbtstat command with other enumeration tools, mistakenly thinking it queries SNMP or LDAP because those services also reveal system information, but nbtstat is exclusively a NetBIOS enumeration command.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
SMTP enumeration uses commands like VRFY, EXPN, RCPT TO.
Detailed technical explanation
NetBIOS name service (NBNS) uses UDP port 137 to resolve NetBIOS names to IP addresses and maintain a local name table. The nbtstat -A command sends a NetBIOS Name Service query to the target, which responds with a datagram containing up to 16 registered names per adapter, each with a 16th byte suffix (e.g., 0x00 for workstation, 0x20 for server) that identifies the service type. In a real-world scenario, an attacker can use this to identify domain controllers, file servers, or logged-in users, aiding in lateral movement.
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
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FAQ
Enumeration and System Hacking — This question tests Enumeration and System Hacking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: NetBIOS — The 'nbtstat -A' command performs a NetBIOS name table lookup against a remote IP address using the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) protocol. It queries the target's NetBIOS name service (UDP port 137) and returns the registered names, including the machine name, workgroup/domain, and logged-in users. This directly enumerates the NetBIOS service, making D the correct answer.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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