Quick Answer
The correct answer is a Smurf attack. This attack works by sending a large number of spoofed ICMP echo request packets to a subnet’s broadcast address, with the source IP forged to be the victim’s address. Every active host on that subnet then replies to the victim, overwhelming it with ICMP echo replies and causing a denial of service. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of network-layer DDoS vectors and the misuse of broadcast amplification. A common trap is confusing it with a ping flood, which targets a single host directly rather than abusing the broadcast address. To remember it, think of the cartoon Smurfs: one spoofed request sent to the village (broadcast) causes every Smurf to shout back at the same target, creating a flood of noise.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of malware, social engineering and network attacks. 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 penetration test, you execute a command that sends a large number of spoofed ICMP echo request packets to a subnet's broadcast address. This results in a flood of replies to the target system. Which attack have you performed?
Ping of Death
Why wrong: Ping of Death sends malformed oversized packets to crash the target.
Smurf attack
Spoofed ICMP to broadcast address causing amplification.
UDP flood
Why wrong: UDP flood uses UDP packets, not ICMP.
ICMP flood
Why wrong: ICMP flood sends many pings directly to the target, not via broadcast amplification.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Smurf attack
Smurf attack sends ICMP echo requests to a broadcast address with the source IP spoofed as the victim, causing all hosts on the subnet to reply to the victim.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Ping of Death
Why it's wrong here
Ping of Death sends malformed oversized packets to crash the target.
Smurf attack
UDP flood
ICMP flood
Why it's wrong here
ICMP flood sends many pings directly to the target, not via broadcast amplification.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CEH subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Smurf attack — Smurf attack sends ICMP echo requests to a broadcast address with the source IP spoofed as the victim, causing all hosts on the subnet to reply to the victim.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CEH subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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