The answer is the NetBIOS names and services of the remote system. This is correct because the `nbtstat -A` command, when followed by a target IP address, performs a NetBIOS name table enumeration against that remote host, revealing critical information such as the computer name, logged-in users, and domain or workgroup membership. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this command tests your understanding of NetBIOS reconnaissance and footprinting techniques, often appearing in questions about information gathering or service enumeration. A common trap is confusing the lowercase `-a` (which queries by hostname) with the uppercase `-A` (which queries by IP address), so always check the flag case. For a quick memory tip, think of the uppercase A as standing for “Address” to remember it requires an IP address.
CEH Enumeration and System Hacking Practice Question
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 the command `nbtstat -A 192.168.1.50` in a Windows environment. What information is the analyst attempting to retrieve?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
NetBIOS names and services of the remote system
`nbtstat -A` with a target IP address displays the NetBIOS name table for that remote system, revealing computer names, logged-in users, and domain/workgroup membership.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The current routing table on the host
Why it's wrong here
Use route print to view the routing table.
✗
Active network connections and listening ports
Why it's wrong here
Use netstat to display active connections and listening ports.
✗
DNS records for the host
Why it's wrong here
nbtstat retrieves NetBIOS information, not DNS. Use nslookup for DNS.
✓
NetBIOS names and services of the remote system
Why this is correct
The -A flag lists the NetBIOS name table for the specified IP address, including MAC addresses and registered names.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
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.
Enumeration and System Hacking — This question tests Enumeration and System Hacking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: NetBIOS names and services of the remote system — `nbtstat -A` with a target IP address displays the NetBIOS name table for that remote system, revealing computer names, logged-in users, and domain/workgroup membership.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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 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?
medium
A.Perform a reverse DNS lookup
✓ B.Display the NetBIOS name table of the remote host
C.Test connectivity to the remote host using ICMP
D.Enumerate DNS records for the domain
Why B: 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.
Variation 2. A security analyst runs the command `nbtstat -A 192.168.1.105` on a Windows machine. What information is the analyst most likely trying to gather?
easy
✓ A.The NetBIOS name table and MAC address of the remote host
B.The LDAP directory structure of the domain
C.The SNMP community strings of the target
D.The SMB shares available on the remote host
Why A: The `nbtstat -A` command performs a NetBIOS name table lookup against the specified IP address using the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) protocol. It returns the remote host's NetBIOS name table, which includes registered names and services, along with the MAC address of the network adapter. This is a standard enumeration technique to identify the hostname, logged-in user, and other NetBIOS-related information.
Variation 3. A security analyst runs the command: nbtstat -A 192.168.1.10. The output shows the table of names for the remote machine. Which of the following is the MOST likely purpose of this command?
medium
A.To perform a DNS zone transfer
B.To enumerate SNMP community strings on the remote host
✓ C.To enumerate NetBIOS names and services on the remote host
D.To enumerate SMB shares on the remote host
Why C: nbtstat -A (with capital A) performs a NetBIOS name table lookup on a remote IP address, revealing computer names, logged-in users, and services.
Variation 4. A security analyst runs `nbtstat -A 192.168.1.10` and receives a response with the computer name, logged-in user, and domain. Which protocol is being queried?
easy
✓ A.NetBIOS
B.SNMP
C.LDAP
D.SMTP
Why A: The `nbtstat -A` command performs a NetBIOS name service query (NBNS) against the target IP address using UDP port 137. It retrieves the NetBIOS name table, which includes the computer name, logged-in user, and domain membership, directly from the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) protocol stack.
Variation 5. A security analyst runs 'nbtstat -A 192.168.1.105' and sees a table with the computer name 'FILESERVER' and a logged-in user 'admin'. Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of this command?
medium
A.Perform an SNMP walk to enumerate the remote host's MIB
B.Execute a dictionary attack against the remote host's passwords
C.Enumerate all SMB shares on the remote host
✓ D.Perform a NetBIOS name table lookup of the remote host
Why D: Option A is correct. nbtstat -A performs a NetBIOS name table lookup of a remote machine using its IP address, revealing computer names, logged-in users, and services.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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