The answer is performing banner grabbing on port 22 to identify the SSH version, because this step directly reveals the exact SSH server implementation and patch level, such as OpenSSH 7.4, which is critical for cross-referencing known CVEs. While version detection scans confirm the service, banner grabbing on SSH captures the raw service banner that often exposes minor version numbers, build details, or configuration quirks that automated tools may miss, making it the most valuable enumeration step for identifying high-risk vulnerabilities in a common internal attack vector. On the CEH exam, this question tests your understanding that banner grabbing is a manual, deeper form of service enumeration beyond simple version detection, and a common trap is assuming Nmap’s -sV output is always complete. Remember the mnemonic: “SSH banners reveal the hidden patch level” — always grab the banner to catch what version scanning overlooks.
CEH Scanning Networks and Enumeration Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of scanning networks and enumeration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
During an internal penetration test, you are tasked with enumerating services on a target server. You run a full TCP port scan and find that ports 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP), and 443 (HTTPS) are open. You then perform version detection on these ports. Which additional enumeration step would provide the most valuable information for identifying potential vulnerabilities?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Perform banner grabbing on port 22 to identify the SSH version.
Banner grabbing on port 22 (SSH) is the most valuable next step because it directly identifies the SSH server version (e.g., OpenSSH 7.4). Knowing the exact version allows you to cross-reference known vulnerabilities (CVEs) for that specific SSH implementation, which is a common high-risk attack vector during internal penetration tests. While version detection already identified the service, banner grabbing can reveal additional details like patch levels or configuration quirks that version detection might miss.
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.
✓
Perform banner grabbing on port 22 to identify the SSH version.
Why this is correct
SSH version information can reveal outdated versions with known exploits.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Perform SNMP enumeration to gather system information.
Why it's wrong here
SNMP service is not indicated as open; requires UDP port 161.
✗
Attempt a DNS zone transfer from the server.
Why it's wrong here
DNS zone transfer is for DNS servers; the target is a web server.
✗
Enumerate NetBIOS names using `nbtstat`.
Why it's wrong here
NetBIOS is typically Windows-only and requires specific ports not open.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that SNMP, DNS zone transfers, or NetBIOS enumeration are universally applicable, but the trap here is that these techniques only work when the corresponding services are actually running and accessible — the question explicitly limits open ports to 22, 80, and 443, so only banner grabbing on those ports is directly actionable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Banner grabbing on SSH (port 22) often reveals the exact version string, such as 'SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_7.4p1 Debian-10+deb9u7'. This string can be used to search for specific CVEs (e.g., CVE-2018-15473 for OpenSSH user enumeration) or to identify outdated versions vulnerable to known exploits. In contrast, version detection via Nmap (-sV) may sometimes misidentify or generalize the version, making manual banner grabbing a more reliable method for precise vulnerability mapping.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Scanning Networks and Enumeration — This question tests Scanning Networks and Enumeration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Perform banner grabbing on port 22 to identify the SSH version. — Banner grabbing on port 22 (SSH) is the most valuable next step because it directly identifies the SSH server version (e.g., OpenSSH 7.4). Knowing the exact version allows you to cross-reference known vulnerabilities (CVEs) for that specific SSH implementation, which is a common high-risk attack vector during internal penetration tests. While version detection already identified the service, banner grabbing can reveal additional details like patch levels or configuration quirks that version detection might miss.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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