CPENT Practice Question: Privilege Escalation Lateral Movement And Post Exploitation
A penetration tester has obtained execution on a Linux host and needs to exfiltrate a sensitive archive file through a tightly restricted firewall that only permits outbound DNS traffic. Which tool and technique should the tester use?
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
✓
A DNS tunneling tool such as dnscat2 or iodine to encode the archive into DNS query records.
DNS tunneling tools like dnscat2 or iodine encapsulate data inside DNS queries (such as TXT, A, or CNAME records) sent to a controlled nameserver.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Standard FTP client configured to use port 53 as the control channel.
Why it's wrong here
FTP protocol syntax will fail when parsed by a DNS resolver.
- ✗
Wget command pointing to an external HTTP server listening on port 53.
Why it's wrong here
HTTP traffic sent to port 53 will be rejected by standard DNS resolvers expecting valid DNS packets.
- ✗
Netcat in listening mode on TCP port 53.
Why it's wrong here
Firewalls restricting outbound traffic to DNS generally inspect payload or block inbound connection attempts on TCP 53.
- ✓
A DNS tunneling tool such as dnscat2 or iodine to encode the archive into DNS query records.
Why this is correct
DNS tunneling encapsulates arbitrary data within DNS queries and responses, bypassing strict egress filtering.
Visual reference
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.