Quick Answer
The answer is to identify files with SUID or GUID bits set for privilege escalation. The command uses `find / -perm -4000` to locate files with the SUID (Set User ID) bit, and `-perm -2000` to find files with the GUID (Set Group ID) bit, while redirecting errors to `/dev/null` to avoid permission-denied clutter. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this tests your understanding of Linux file permissions as a post-exploitation technique—attackers scan for these misconfigured binaries because they run with the owner’s or group’s elevated privileges, enabling horizontal or vertical privilege escalation. A common trap is confusing the octal values: remember that 4000 stands for the “4” in SUID (user’s setuid) and 2000 for the “2” in GUID (group’s setgid). For a quick memory tip, think “SUID = 4 (user), GUID = 2 (group)”—the numbers correspond to the bit positions in the permission mask.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of enumeration and system hacking. 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.
After gaining initial access to a Linux server, an attacker runs `find / -perm -4000 -o -perm -2000 2>/dev/null`. What is the primary objective of this command?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Locate world-writable files for data exfiltration
Why wrong: World-writable files are found with other permissions.
List all files owned by the root user
Why wrong: The command checks permission bits, not ownership.
Find configuration files containing passwords
Why wrong: Configuration files are not commonly SUID.
Identify files with SUID or GUID bits set for privilege escalation
SUID/GUID binaries run with elevated privileges.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Identify files with SUID or GUID bits set for privilege escalation
The -perm -4000 finds SUID files, -perm -2000 finds GUID files. These are often exploited for privilege escalation.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Locate world-writable files for data exfiltration
Why it's wrong here
World-writable files are found with other permissions.
List all files owned by the root user
Why it's wrong here
The command checks permission bits, not ownership.
Find configuration files containing passwords
Why it's wrong here
Configuration files are not commonly SUID.
Identify files with SUID or GUID bits set for privilege escalation
Why this is correct
SUID/GUID binaries run with elevated privileges.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
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
The command checks permission bits, not ownership.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
Enumeration and System Hacking — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Enumeration and System Hacking practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CEH questions
1,010 questions across all exam domains
Certified Ethical Hacker CEH study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CEH practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CEH questions linked to Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning.
Practise CEH questions linked to Enumeration and System Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Web Application and Injection Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Introduction to Ethical Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Scanning Networks and Enumeration.
Practise CEH questions linked to Vulnerability Analysis and System Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography.
Practise CEH questions linked to Footprinting and Reconnaissance.
Practise CEH questions linked to Network and Web Application Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security.
Practise CEH questions linked to Cryptography and Malware Analysis.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Enumeration and System Hacking — This question tests Enumeration and System Hacking — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Identify files with SUID or GUID bits set for privilege escalation — The -perm -4000 finds SUID files, -perm -2000 finds GUID files. These are often exploited for privilege escalation.
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.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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. An attacker gains access to a Linux web server as the 'www-data' user. They run `find / -perm -4000 -type f 2>/dev/null` and see that `/usr/bin/passwd` has the SUID bit set. Which privilege escalation technique is this command checking for?
hardWhy A: The find command searches for files with SUID bit set (4000). SUID binaries run with the file owner's privileges, often root. Checking for SUID files is a common technique to find potential privilege escalation vectors, e.g., exploiting a vulnerable SUID binary.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.