CPENT Cloud And Hybrid Infrastructure Security Practice Question
During a hybrid cloud assessment, a penetration tester examines the connection between an on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD. Which THREE of the following mechanisms or misconfigurations could lead to credential exposure or privilege escalation in the hybrid environment? (Choose THREE)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Storing application secrets and database connection strings in plaintext within Azure App Service configuration settings.
Over-privileged sync accounts, storing secrets in plaintext, and unmitigated PHS/PTA risks are major hybrid threats.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Storing application secrets and database connection strings in plaintext within Azure App Service configuration settings.
Why this is correct
Plaintext configuration secrets expose credentials to users with resource read access.
- ✗
Enforcing Azure AD Conditional Access policies requiring compliant devices for access.
Why it's wrong here
Device compliance policies improve security.
- ✓
An attacker compromising an on-premises account with Password Hash Sync enabled, enabling offline hash cracking of synchronized accounts if tenant is targeted.
Why this is correct
PHS synchronizes hashes to Azure AD, creating risks if the cloud tenant is compromised.
- ✗
Using Azure Key Vault with managed hardware security modules (HSMs) for cryptographic keys.
Why it's wrong here
Managed HSMs provide robust key protection.
- ✗
Configuring Azure Bastion for secure administrative RDP and SSH connectivity.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Bastion is a secure management tool.
- ✓
An Azure AD Connect sync account possessing excessive privileges in on-premises Active Directory beyond the required MS-DS-Consistency-Guid and replication rights.
Why this is correct
Excessive sync account privileges can allow domain compromise if abused.
About these practice questions
This CPENT question is part of Courseiva's 276-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official EC-Council exam blueprint
This CPENT practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CPENT exam.