The correct answer is that the attacker extracted hashed passwords that can be cracked offline. This outcome is confirmed because the SQL injection payload returned visible hash strings from the database, typically from a column like `password`, rather than causing an error or modifying data. In the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your ability to recognize when a SQL injection attack successfully retrieves sensitive authentication data, distinguishing it from denial-of-service or data-manipulation attacks. A common trap is assuming the attacker immediately gains plaintext passwords, but in practice, databases store salted or unsalted hashes, so the real threat is offline cracking using tools like Hashcat or John the Ripper. Remember: if you see a long, scrambled string in the output, think “hash extraction, not plaintext access.” A useful memory tip is “Hashes for Hashes” — when you see hash strings, the attacker’s next step is to crack them offline.
CEH Network and Web Application Attacks Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of network and web application 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
GET /search?q=1 UNION SELECT username,password FROM users-- HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:00:00 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.41 (Ubuntu)
Content-Type: text/html
<html><body><h1>Search Results</h1><p>admin:5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99</p><p>user1:5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592</p></body></html>
Refer to the exhibit. A penetration tester executed the SQL injection payload and received the response shown. What is the most likely outcome of this attack?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit.
GET /search?q=1 UNION SELECT username,password FROM users-- HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:00:00 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.41 (Ubuntu)
Content-Type: text/html
<html><body><h1>Search Results</h1><p>admin:5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99</p><p>user1:5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592</p></body></html>
A
The attacker extracted hashed passwords that can be cracked offline
The response contains username:hash pairs; the hash appears to be MD5, which is crackable.
B
The attacker successfully performed a blind SQL injection to enumerate the database structure
Why wrong: The response shows actual data, not blind inference; the attacker sees the results directly.
C
The attacker caused a denial of service by sending an invalid query
Why wrong: The query executed successfully (200 OK) and returned data; no denial of service.
D
The attacker modified the database records to update user passwords
Why wrong: The payload uses UNION SELECT to retrieve data, not UPDATE to modify records.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The attacker extracted hashed passwords that can be cracked offline
The response shows a successful SQL injection that returned password hashes (likely from the `password` column) in the output. This indicates the attacker exploited a vulnerable parameter to extract hashed credentials from the database, which can then be cracked offline using tools like Hashcat or John the Ripper. The presence of hash strings in the response confirms data extraction, not modification or denial of service.
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.
✓
The attacker extracted hashed passwords that can be cracked offline
Why this is correct
The response contains username:hash pairs; the hash appears to be MD5, which is crackable.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The attacker successfully performed a blind SQL injection to enumerate the database structure
Why it's wrong here
The response shows actual data, not blind inference; the attacker sees the results directly.
✗
The attacker caused a denial of service by sending an invalid query
Why it's wrong here
The query executed successfully (200 OK) and returned data; no denial of service.
✗
The attacker modified the database records to update user passwords
Why it's wrong here
The payload uses UNION SELECT to retrieve data, not UPDATE to modify records.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between in-band (error-based/UNION) SQL injection, which returns data directly, and blind SQL injection, which does not return visible data; candidates mistakenly choose blind when the response clearly shows extracted values.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The response shows actual data, not blind inference; the attacker sees the results directly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a typical SQL injection attack, the attacker injects a UNION SELECT statement to append results from other tables (e.g., `UNION SELECT username, password FROM users`). The database returns the concatenated result set, including hashed passwords, which are often stored as MD5, SHA-1, or bcrypt strings. Real-world scenarios often involve extracting `wp_users` tables in WordPress or `syslogins` in MSSQL, where offline cracking is the primary goal.
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.
Network and Web Application Attacks — This question tests Network and Web Application Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The attacker extracted hashed passwords that can be cracked offline — The response shows a successful SQL injection that returned password hashes (likely from the `password` column) in the output. This indicates the attacker exploited a vulnerable parameter to extract hashed credentials from the database, which can then be cracked offline using tools like Hashcat or John the Ripper. The presence of hash strings in the response confirms data extraction, not modification or denial of service.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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