CEH Enumeration and System Hacking Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of enumeration and system hacking. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 examples of privilege escalation on Linux? (Select 2)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SUID bit abuse
SUID bit abuse (C) is a privilege escalation technique because when the SUID (Set User ID) bit is set on an executable, it runs with the permissions of the file owner (often root), regardless of the user who executes it. An attacker can exploit misconfigured SUID binaries to execute commands with elevated privileges, gaining root access.
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.
✗
Pass-the-Hash
Why it's wrong here
Pass-the-Hash is for lateral movement, not privilege escalation.
✗
Token impersonation
Why it's wrong here
Token impersonation is a Windows privilege escalation method.
✓
SUID bit abuse
Why this is correct
SUID programs run with the file owner's privileges.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Exploiting a local vulnerability in a setuid binary
Why this is correct
Local exploits can leverage vulnerabilities in setuid binaries for privilege escalation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
DLL hijacking
Why it's wrong here
DLL hijacking is a Windows technique.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between Windows and Linux privilege escalation techniques, and the trap here is that candidates confuse cross-platform attacks like token impersonation or DLL hijacking as applicable to Linux, when they are strictly Windows-based.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The SUID bit (chmod u+s) allows a binary to run with the effective UID of its owner; common targets include binaries like /usr/bin/passwd or custom scripts with the bit set. Exploiting a local vulnerability in a setuid binary (D) often involves buffer overflows or race conditions (e.g., CVE-2021-3156 in sudo) to gain a root shell. In real-world scenarios, misconfigured SUID binaries on penetration testing labs (e.g., /usr/bin/find with SUID) are frequently used to escalate privileges via command injection.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: SUID bit abuse — SUID bit abuse (C) is a privilege escalation technique because when the SUID (Set User ID) bit is set on an executable, it runs with the permissions of the file owner (often root), regardless of the user who executes it. An attacker can exploit misconfigured SUID binaries to execute commands with elevated privileges, gaining root access.
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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