Quick Answer
The answer is Ettercap, a powerful and widely used tool for ARP spoofing attacks to perform man-in-the-middle (MITM) operations on a local network. Ettercap exploits the Address Resolution Protocol’s lack of authentication by sending forged ARP replies, poisoning the ARP cache of target hosts so that traffic intended for one machine is redirected through the attacker’s system. This allows the attacker to intercept, modify, or drop packets between two endpoints on a switched network, making it a staple for penetration testers and a frequent focus on the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) exam. The CEH often tests your ability to identify Ettercap as the go-to ARP spoofing tool, contrasting it with sniffers like Wireshark or WEP-cracking tools like Aircrack-ng—a common trap where candidates confuse network analysis with active poisoning. To remember, think of “Ettercap” as “Etter-capture”: it captures traffic by poisoning ARP tables, enabling the MITM attack.
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.
Which tool is commonly used for ARP spoofing attacks to perform man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks on a local network?
Nmap
Why wrong: Nmap is a port scanner, not designed for ARP spoofing.
Ettercap
Ettercap supports ARP poisoning, DNS spoofing, and other MITM techniques.
Wireshark
Why wrong: Wireshark is a packet analyzer, not an attack tool.
Metasploit
Why wrong: Metasploit is an exploitation framework; it can be used in conjunction with other tools but is not the primary ARP spoofing tool.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Ettercap
Ettercap is a well-known suite for ARP poisoning, enabling MITM attacks. It can intercept traffic between hosts on a switched network.
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.
Nmap
Why it's wrong here
Nmap is a port scanner, not designed for ARP spoofing.
Ettercap
Wireshark
Why it's wrong here
Wireshark is a packet analyzer, not an attack tool.
Metasploit
Why it's wrong here
Metasploit is an exploitation framework; it can be used in conjunction with other tools but is not the primary ARP spoofing tool.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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 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.
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FAQ
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Ettercap — Ettercap is a well-known suite for ARP poisoning, enabling MITM attacks. It can intercept traffic between hosts on a switched network.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
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. Which TWO tools are commonly used for ARP poisoning attacks?
mediumWhy B: Ettercap and Cain & Abel are well-known tools for ARP poisoning, allowing attackers to intercept traffic on a LAN.
Variation 2. A penetration tester needs to perform ARP poisoning to intercept traffic between two hosts on the same subnet. Which tool would be the most appropriate choice for this task?
mediumWhy B: Ettercap is a comprehensive suite for man-in-the-middle attacks on LAN, including ARP poisoning. It provides packet sniffing, interception, and injection capabilities.
Variation 3. Which tool can be used to perform ARP poisoning to intercept traffic between a victim and the default gateway?
mediumWhy B: Ettercap is a well-known tool for man-in-the-middle attacks, including ARP poisoning.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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