CPENT Cloud And Hybrid Infrastructure Security Practice Question
While reviewing a hybrid identity deployment utilizing Azure AD Connect, a penetration tester observes that Password Hash Sync (PHS) is enabled alongside Pass-Through Authentication (PTA). What security implication does this configuration present during an on-premises domain compromise?
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
✓
Password hashes for all synchronized accounts are stored in Azure AD, meaning compromise of the cloud tenant could expose on-premises credentials.
When PHS is enabled, synchronized password hashes reside in Azure AD, meaning a complete on-premises compromise exposes the hashes of all synced accounts to cloud credential dumping if Azure AD is later targeted.
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-through authentication agents become vulnerable to remote code execution via the Azure service bus.
Why it's wrong here
PTA agents use outbound connections over port 443 and are not inherently vulnerable to RCE via the service bus.
- ✓
Password hashes for all synchronized accounts are stored in Azure AD, meaning compromise of the cloud tenant could expose on-premises credentials.
Why this is correct
PHS replicates password hashes to Azure AD.
- ✗
Azure AD Connect agents will automatically downgrade encryption standards for domain controller communications.
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD Connect does not downgrade DC encryption.
- ✗
Kerberos ticket granting service requests are bypassed entirely for hybrid users.
Why it's wrong here
Kerberos authentication flow remains unchanged for domain-joined machines.
About these practice questions
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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.