This CEH practice question tests your understanding of enumeration and system hacking. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 192.168.1.50` from a Windows command prompt and receives output showing a table with names like 'WORKGROUP<00>', 'PC01<20>', and 'USER<03>'. What is the MOST likely purpose of this command?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Perform a reverse DNS lookup
Why wrong: Reverse DNS lookup is done with nslookup or dig -x.
Display the NetBIOS name table of the remote host
The -A option queries the remote host's NetBIOS name table by IP address.
Test connectivity to the remote host using ICMP
Why wrong: That's ping, not nbtstat.
Enumerate DNS records for the domain
Why wrong: nbtstat is for NetBIOS, not DNS.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Display the NetBIOS name table of the remote host
The `nbtstat -A` command performs a NetBIOS name table lookup against a remote host using its IP address. The output shows NetBIOS names and their associated suffixes (e.g., <00> for Workstation service, <20> for File Server service, <03> for Messenger service), which are used for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) name resolution and service discovery. This is the correct purpose because the command specifically queries the remote host's NetBIOS name table, not DNS or ICMP.
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.
Perform a reverse DNS lookup
Why it's wrong here
Reverse DNS lookup is done with nslookup or dig -x.
Display the NetBIOS name table of the remote host
Why this is correct
The -A option queries the remote host's NetBIOS name table by IP address.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Test connectivity to the remote host using ICMP
Why it's wrong here
That's ping, not nbtstat.
Enumerate DNS records for the domain
Why it's wrong here
nbtstat is for NetBIOS, not DNS.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `nbtstat -A` with DNS-related commands or ICMP-based tools, because they see an IP address in the command and assume it is performing a reverse lookup or connectivity test, rather than recognizing it as a NetBIOS-specific enumeration technique.
Detailed technical explanation
NetBIOS name tables are stored in the local computer's LMHOSTS file or obtained via broadcast or WINS (Windows Internet Name Service). The suffixes like <00>, <20>, and <03> are 16th-byte identifiers that indicate the service type (e.g., <20> is the File Server service, which is why it often appears for shared folders). In a real-world penetration test, `nbtstat -A` can reveal hostnames, logged-in users, and running services, aiding in lateral movement or privilege escalation.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Display the NetBIOS name table of the remote host — The `nbtstat -A` command performs a NetBIOS name table lookup against a remote host using its IP address. The output shows NetBIOS names and their associated suffixes (e.g., <00> for Workstation service, <20> for File Server service, <03> for Messenger service), which are used for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) name resolution and service discovery. This is the correct purpose because the command specifically queries the remote host's NetBIOS name table, not DNS or ICMP.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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