The correct order of the CHPSET system hacking methodology is Cracking, Hiding, Privilege escalation, Executing, Spying, Erasing. This sequence is technically accurate because it mirrors the logical progression an attacker follows: first cracking passwords to gain initial access, then hiding tools or files to avoid detection, escalating privileges to obtain higher-level control, executing malicious code to achieve objectives, spying to monitor system activity or capture data, and finally erasing tracks to remove forensic evidence. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of the attack lifecycle and the specific order of phases within the system hacking methodology, often appearing as a multiple-choice trap where options scramble the sequence. A common memory tip is to think of the acronym as a story: "Crack the door, Hide inside, Escalate your keys, Execute the plan, Spy on the room, then Erase your footprints."
CEH Enumeration and System Hacking Practice Question
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.
Which of the following is the correct order of phases in the system hacking methodology known as CHPSET?
The CHPSET methodology in system hacking stands for Cracking, Hiding, Privilege escalation, Executing, Spying, Erasing. Option D correctly lists these phases in order: Cracking (password cracking), Hiding (covering tracks), Privilege escalation (gaining higher access), Executing (running malicious code), Spying (monitoring activity), and Erasing (removing evidence). This sequence follows the logical progression from initial access to maintaining access and finally covering tracks.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the order of Hiding and Privilege escalation, mistakenly thinking hiding occurs first, but in CHPSET, hiding (covering tracks) happens after privilege escalation to conceal the elevated access and subsequent actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CHPSET is a mnemonic used in CEH to remember the six phases of system hacking: Cracking (e.g., using John the Ripper or Hashcat to break password hashes), Hiding (e.g., using rootkits or steganography to conceal files), Privilege escalation (e.g., exploiting kernel vulnerabilities or misconfigurations to gain SYSTEM/root), Executing (e.g., deploying backdoors or remote access tools), Spying (e.g., keylogging or packet sniffing to gather intelligence), and Erasing (e.g., clearing event logs with wevtutil or overwriting audit trails). This methodology aligns with the Cyber Kill Chain but is specific to post-exploitation system-level attacks.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Enumeration and System Hacking — This question tests Enumeration and System Hacking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cracking, Hiding, Privilege escalation, Executing, Spying, Erasing — The CHPSET methodology in system hacking stands for Cracking, Hiding, Privilege escalation, Executing, Spying, Erasing. Option D correctly lists these phases in order: Cracking (password cracking), Hiding (covering tracks), Privilege escalation (gaining higher access), Executing (running malicious code), Spying (monitoring activity), and Erasing (removing evidence). This sequence follows the logical progression from initial access to maintaining access and finally covering tracks.
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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