The answer is credential stuffing. This attack type is correct because the tester is using a list of known passwords—likely obtained from previous data breaches—against a single target account, which is the defining characteristic of credential stuffing. In contrast, a brute force attack typically tries many passwords per account without relying on a pre-compromised list, while password spraying uses a few common passwords across many accounts. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this distinction is frequently tested in the web application penetration testing domain, often with Burp Suite scenarios designed to trap candidates who confuse credential stuffing with brute force. A common memory tip is to think of “stuffing” as “stuffing known credentials into a login form,” whereas brute force is “forcing your way in with random guesses.” Remember: if the password list comes from a breach, it’s stuffing, not brute force.
CEH Web Application and Injection Attacks Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of web application and injection 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.
During a web application penetration test, a tester uses Burp Suite's Intruder tool to automate a series of login attempts using a list of common passwords. Which attack type is being performed?
Credential stuffing involves using lists of known passwords (often from data breaches) to gain unauthorized access.
B
Brute force attack
Why wrong: Brute force typically tries all possible combinations, but using a list of common passwords is more characteristic of credential stuffing.
C
Dictionary attack
Why wrong: A dictionary attack is similar but often focuses on guessing passwords based on dictionary words; credential stuffing uses previously compromised passwords.
D
Password spraying
Why wrong: Password spraying involves using one password against many accounts, not many passwords against a single account.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Credential stuffing
Credential stuffing uses a list of known passwords, while password spraying uses a few passwords against many accounts. Brute force is typically many passwords per account. The description best matches credential stuffing.
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.
✓
Credential stuffing
Why this is correct
Credential stuffing involves using lists of known passwords (often from data breaches) to gain unauthorized access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Brute force attack
Why it's wrong here
Brute force typically tries all possible combinations, but using a list of common passwords is more characteristic of credential stuffing.
✗
Dictionary attack
Why it's wrong here
A dictionary attack is similar but often focuses on guessing passwords based on dictionary words; credential stuffing uses previously compromised passwords.
✗
Password spraying
Why it's wrong here
Password spraying involves using one password against many accounts, not many passwords against a single account.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
A dictionary attack is similar but often focuses on guessing passwords based on dictionary words; credential stuffing uses previously compromised passwords.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
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.
Web Application and Injection Attacks — This question tests Web Application and Injection Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Credential stuffing — Credential stuffing uses a list of known passwords, while password spraying uses a few passwords against many accounts. Brute force is typically many passwords per account. The description best matches credential stuffing.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
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. A penetration tester discovers that a web application's login page does not enforce rate limiting and several usernames are known from a prior data breach. The tester wants to try a few common passwords across many accounts to avoid account lockouts. Which attack technique is being used?
medium
✓ A.Password spraying
B.Credential stuffing
C.Brute force attack
D.Dictionary attack
Why A: Password spraying involves trying a small number of common passwords against many user accounts to avoid account lockout. This contrasts with credential stuffing (using many passwords per account) and brute force (many passwords per user).
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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