The answer is cookie theft and TCP sequence prediction. Cookie theft is a direct session hijacking technique where an attacker steals a session token from a user’s browser, often via cross-site scripting or network sniffing, to impersonate that user without authentication. TCP sequence prediction, on the other hand, is a more advanced network-level method where the attacker analyzes or guesses the sequence numbers in a TCP handshake, then injects forged packets to hijack an active session between a client and server. On the CEH exam, these two techniques are frequently paired in multiple-choice questions to test your understanding of both application-layer and network-layer attacks—a common trap is confusing TCP sequence prediction with IP spoofing alone, but remember that prediction is about the sequence number, not just the address. Memory tip: think “cookie for the app, sequence for the wire.”
CEH Practice Question: Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of malware, social engineering and network 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.
Which TWO of the following are techniques used in session hijacking attacks? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
TCP sequence prediction
TCP sequence prediction is a core technique in session hijacking where an attacker predicts or sniffs the TCP sequence numbers used by the client and server to inject forged packets and take over an established TCP session. By correctly guessing the next sequence number, the attacker can spoof the client's IP address and send malicious commands that the server accepts as legitimate traffic.
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.
✓
TCP sequence prediction
Why this is correct
Attackers can predict sequence numbers to hijack a TCP session.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
MAC flooding
Why it's wrong here
MAC flooding overwhelms a switch's CAM table, not session hijacking.
✓
Cookie theft
Why this is correct
Stealing session cookies allows hijacking of web sessions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
DNS spoofing
Why it's wrong here
DNS spoofing redirects traffic but does not directly hijack an existing session.
✗
ARP poisoning
Why it's wrong here
ARP poisoning enables MITM but is not session hijacking itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing network-level attacks like ARP poisoning or DNS spoofing with session hijacking, which specifically requires taking over an authenticated session by manipulating TCP sequence numbers or stealing session tokens.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TCP sequence prediction exploits the fact that initial sequence numbers (ISNs) in older TCP implementations were predictable, as documented in RFC 793 and later mitigated by RFC 1948. In a real-world scenario, an attacker on the same network segment can sniff the client's ISN and ACK values, then send a crafted RST or data packet to desynchronize the session and inject commands, as demonstrated in tools like Hunt or Juggernaut. Modern systems use random ISN generation, but sequence prediction remains relevant in legacy environments or when an attacker can observe multiple handshakes.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: TCP sequence prediction — TCP sequence prediction is a core technique in session hijacking where an attacker predicts or sniffs the TCP sequence numbers used by the client and server to inject forged packets and take over an established TCP session. By correctly guessing the next sequence number, the attacker can spoof the client's IP address and send malicious commands that the server accepts as legitimate traffic.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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