CEH Web Application and Injection Attacks Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of web application and injection attacks. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 penetration test, a security analyst discovers that a web application uses sequential numeric identifiers in URLs (e.g., /profile?id=100). By modifying the id parameter, the analyst can access another user's profile data without authorization. Which vulnerability is being exploited?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)
IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference) occurs when an application exposes internal object references (e.g., database keys) and fails to enforce proper access controls, allowing users to manipulate them to access unauthorized data.
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.
✗
SQL injection
Why it's wrong here
SQL injection involves injecting SQL commands into input fields, not manipulating object references.
✓
Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)
Why this is correct
The ability to change a parameter like 'id' to access another user's data is a classic IDOR vulnerability.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Why it's wrong here
SSRF forces the server to make requests to internal resources; it does not involve direct object reference manipulation.
✗
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Why it's wrong here
CSRF tricks a user into performing actions on their behalf; it does not involve direct reference manipulation.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
SQL injection involves injecting SQL commands into input fields, not manipulating object references.
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.
Web Application and Injection Attacks — This question tests Web Application and Injection Attacks — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) — IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference) occurs when an application exposes internal object references (e.g., database keys) and fails to enforce proper access controls, allowing users to manipulate them to access unauthorized data.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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