CEH Vulnerability Analysis and System Hacking Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of vulnerability analysis 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.
Exhibit
C:\Users\Admin>systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version" /C:"System Type"
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
OS Version: 10.0.19041 N/A Build 19041
System Type: x64-based PC
C:\Users\Admin>wmic qfe get HotFixID,InstalledOn | findstr /V "QFE"
HotFixID InstalledOn
KB5000802 3/15/2021
KB5000822 3/22/2021
KB5001330 4/13/2021
C:\Users\Admin>reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy REG_DWORD 0x1
Refer to the exhibit. An analyst performs reconnaissance on a Windows 10 system. Which of the following findings is most critical from a security perspective?
Exhibit
C:\Users\Admin>systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version" /C:"System Type"
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
OS Version: 10.0.19041 N/A Build 19041
System Type: x64-based PC
C:\Users\Admin>wmic qfe get HotFixID,InstalledOn | findstr /V "QFE"
HotFixID InstalledOn
KB5000802 3/15/2021
KB5000822 3/22/2021
KB5001330 4/13/2021
C:\Users\Admin>reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy REG_DWORD 0x1
A
The system is running Windows 10 Pro version 19041.
Why wrong: The OS version itself is not a vulnerability; missing patches are more critical.
B
The last installed hotfix is from April 2021, indicating the system may be missing newer patches.
Why wrong: While missing patches are a risk, the registry misconfiguration is a more immediate and severe vulnerability.
C
The system type is x64-based, but no additional security concerns are noted.
Why wrong: System architecture alone is not a security issue.
D
The registry key LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy is set to 1, which may allow remote UAC bypass.
Setting LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy to 1 disables UAC remote restrictions, allowing remote connections with full administrative privileges, which is a significant security risk.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The registry key LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy is set to 1, which may allow remote UAC bypass.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The system is running Windows 10 Pro version 19041.
Why it's wrong here
The OS version itself is not a vulnerability; missing patches are more critical.
✗
The last installed hotfix is from April 2021, indicating the system may be missing newer patches.
Why it's wrong here
While missing patches are a risk, the registry misconfiguration is a more immediate and severe vulnerability.
✗
The system type is x64-based, but no additional security concerns are noted.
Why it's wrong here
System architecture alone is not a security issue.
✓
The registry key LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy is set to 1, which may allow remote UAC bypass.
Why this is correct
Setting LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy to 1 disables UAC remote restrictions, allowing remote connections with full administrative privileges, which is a significant security risk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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.
Vulnerability Analysis and System Hacking — This question tests Vulnerability Analysis and System Hacking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The registry key LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy is set to 1, which may allow remote UAC bypass.
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.
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Question Discussion
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