The correct answer is an SSRF attack to access the instance metadata service and obtain the IAM credentials. This is because the policy grants full administrative access to the EC2 instance, meaning any process running on it inherits those powerful permissions. An SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery) attack tricks the web application into making requests to internal AWS endpoints, specifically the link-local metadata IP 169.254.169.254, which returns the temporary IAM role credentials. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cloud-specific privilege escalation and the unique risk of overly permissive IAM roles attached to compute instances. A common trap is assuming the attacker needs to exploit a separate vulnerability first, but here the SSRF is the direct path to credential theft. Memory tip: think “Full Access + Metadata = SSRF goldmine” — the instance is a walking admin key, and the metadata service is the lock it opens.
CEH Practice Question: Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of advanced topics: wireless, cloud, iot, cryptography. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 a cloud penetration test, a tester discovers that an AWS IAM role has the following policy: `{"Effect":"Allow","Action":"*","Resource":"*"}`. This policy is attached to an EC2 instance. Which of the following attacks is the tester MOST likely to perform next?
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 dictionary attack against the root user password
Why wrong: Root password is separate from IAM roles; the attack vector is through the instance.
B
SSRF attack to access the instance metadata service and obtain the IAM credentials
Correct: SSRF can be used to query the metadata service (e.g., http://169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/iam/security-credentials/) to retrieve the role's temporary credentials and then leverage the full admin privileges.
C
Use Pacu to enumerate S3 buckets
Why wrong: While possible, the immediate and more direct attack is to steal the credentials via SSRF, then use Pacu or other tools.
D
Exploit a container escape vulnerability in Docker
Why wrong: No indication of containers; the focus is the IAM role on EC2.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSRF attack to access the instance metadata service and obtain the IAM credentials
With full admin privileges, the tester can attempt to enumerate and abuse the permissions, such as creating users, accessing data, or escalating privileges further.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 a dictionary attack against the root user password
Why it's wrong here
Root password is separate from IAM roles; the attack vector is through the instance.
✓
SSRF attack to access the instance metadata service and obtain the IAM credentials
Why this is correct
Correct: SSRF can be used to query the metadata service (e.g., http://169.254.169.254/latest/meta-data/iam/security-credentials/) to retrieve the role's temporary credentials and then leverage the full admin privileges.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Use Pacu to enumerate S3 buckets
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the immediate and more direct attack is to steal the credentials via SSRF, then use Pacu or other tools.
✗
Exploit a container escape vulnerability in Docker
Why it's wrong here
No indication of containers; the focus is the IAM role on EC2.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CEH questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — This question tests Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSRF attack to access the instance metadata service and obtain the IAM credentials — With full admin privileges, the tester can attempt to enumerate and abuse the permissions, such as creating users, accessing data, or escalating privileges further.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CEH questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
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. In a cloud environment, which of the following is an example of a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attack?
medium
✓ A.An attacker exploits a web application to send HTTP requests from the server to an internal metadata endpoint
B.An attacker intercepts traffic between a load balancer and backend servers
C.An attacker uses a SQL injection to extract database contents
D.An attacker uploads a malicious file to an S3 bucket that executes code on the server
Why A: SSRF occurs when an attacker tricks the server into making requests to internal resources, such as a cloud metadata service, to obtain credentials.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.