Latest 312-50v12 Exam Questions

D.   Vulnerability scanning software is not immune to software engineering flaws that might lead to serious vulnerabilities being missed

Answer DescriptionExplanation: Vulnerability scanning software is a tool that can help security analysts identify and prioritize known vulnerabilities in their systems and applications. However, it is not a perfect solution and has some limitations that need to be considered. One of the most critical limitations is that vulnerability scanning software is not immune to software engineering flaws that might lead to serious vulnerabilities being missed. This means that the software itself might have bugs, errors, or oversights that could affect its accuracy, reliability, or performance. For example, the software might:

Fail to detect some vulnerabilities due to incomplete or outdated databases, incorrect signatures, or insufficient coverage of the target system or application. Produce false positives or false negatives due to misinterpretation of the scan results, incorrect configuration, or lack of context or validation.

Cause unintended consequences or damage to the target system or application due to intrusive or aggressive scanning techniques, such as exploiting vulnerabilities, modifying data, or crashing services.

Be vulnerable to attacks or compromise by malicious actors who could exploit its weaknesses, tamper with its functionality, or steal its data.

Therefore, the security analyst should be most cautious about this limitation of vulnerability scanning software, as it could lead to a false sense of security, missed opportunities for remediation, or increased exposure to threats. The security analyst should always verify the scan results, use multiple tools and methods, and update and patch the software regularly to mitigate this risk.

References:
[CEHv12 Module 03: Vulnerability Analysis]
7 limitations of vulnerability scanners
The pros and cons of vulnerability scanning tools

B.   Implement network scanning and monitoring tools

Answer DescriptionExplanation: Sniffing attacks are a type of network attack that involves intercepting and analyzing data packets as they travel over a network. Sniffing attacks can be used to steal sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, etc. Sniffing attacks can also be used to perform reconnaissance, spoofing, or man-in-the-middle attacks.

The IT department of the company has implemented some security measures to prevent or mitigate sniffing attacks, such as:

Adding the MAC address of the gateway to the ARP cache: This prevents ARP spoofing, which is a technique that allows an attacker to redirect network traffic to their own device by sending fake ARP messages that associate their MAC address with the IP address of the gateway.

Switching to IPv6 instead of IPv4: This reduces the risk of IP spoofing, which is a technique that allows an attacker to send packets with a forged source IP address, pretending to be another device on the network.

Using encrypted sessions such as SSH instead of Telnet, and Secure File Transfer Protocol instead of FTP: This protects the data from being read or modified by an attacker who can capture the packets, as the data is encrypted and authenticated using cryptographic protocols.

However, these measures are not enough to completely eliminate the threat of sniffing, as an attacker can still use other techniques, such as:

Passive sniffing: This involves monitoring the network traffic without injecting any packets or altering the data. Passive sniffing can be done on a shared network, such as a hub, or on a switched network, using techniques such as MAC flooding, port mirroring, or VLAN hopping.

Active sniffing: This involves injecting packets or modifying the data to manipulate the network behavior or gain access to more traffic. Active sniffing can be done using techniques such as DHCP spoofing, DNS poisoning, ICMP redirection, or TCP session hijacking.

Therefore, the next step to enhance network security is to implement network scanning and monitoring tools, which can help detect and prevent sniffing attacks by: Scanning the network for unauthorized devices, such as rogue access points, hubs, or sniffers, and removing them or isolating them from the network.

Monitoring the network for abnormal traffic patterns, such as excessive ARP requests, DNS queries, ICMP messages, or TCP connections, and alerting the network administrators or blocking the suspicious sources.

Analyzing the network traffic for malicious content, such as malware, phishing, or exfiltration, and filtering or quarantining the infected or compromised devices.

References:
CEHv12 Module 05: Sniffing.
Sniffing attacks - Types, Examples & Preventing it.
How to Prevent and Detect Packet Sniffing Attacks.
Understanding Sniffing in Cybersecurity and How to Prevent It.

B.   m=90, b=15: The server can manage 90 connections per second, but the attacker's 100 connections exceed this, and with each connection held up for 15 seconds, the attack duration could be significant

Answer DescriptionExplanation: A Slow HTTP POST attack is a type of denial-of-service (DoS) attack that exploits the way web servers handle HTTP requests. The attacker sends a legitimate HTTP POST header to the web server, specifying a large amount of data to be sent in the request body. However, the attacker then sends the data very slowly, keeping the connection open and occupying the server’s resources. The attacker can launch multiple such connections, exceeding the server’s capacity to handle concurrent requests and preventing legitimate users from accessing the web server.

The attack duration D is given by the formula D = a * b, where a is the number of connections and b is the hold-up time per connection. The attacker intends to maximize D by manipulating a and b. The server can manage m connections per second, but any connections exceeding m will overwhelm the system. Therefore, the scenario that is most likely to result in the longest duration of server unavailability is the one where a > m and b is the largest. Among the four options, this is the case for option B, where a = 100, m = 90, and b = 15. In this scenario, D = 100 * 15 = 1500 seconds, which is the longest among the four options. Option A has a larger b, but a < m, so the server can handle the connections without being overwhelmed. Option C has a > m, but a smaller b, so the attack duration is shorter. Option D has a > m, but a smaller b and a smaller difference between a and m, so the attack duration is also shorter.

References:
What is a Slow POST Attack & How to Prevent One? (Guide)
Mitigate Slow HTTP GET/POST Vulnerabilities in the Apache HTTP Server - Acunetix
What is a Slow Post DDoS Attack? | NETSCOUT

C.   Implementing a brute force attack to verify system vulnerability

Answer DescriptionExplanation: A brute force attack is a method of trying different combinations of passwords or keys to gain access to a system or service. It is not a reliable way of detecting a honeypot, as it may trigger an alert or response from the target. Moreover, a brute force attack does not provide any information about the system’s characteristics or behavior that could indicate a honeypot. A honeypot is a decoy system that is designed to attract and trap attackers, while providing security teams with valuable intelligence and insights. Therefore, an ethical hacker needs to use more subtle and stealthy techniques to detect and avoid honeypots.

The other options are valid techniques for detecting a honeypot. Probing system services and observing the three-way handshake can reveal anomalies or inconsistencies in the system’s responses, such as abnormal banners, ports, or protocols. Using honeypot detection tools like Send-Safe Honeypot Hunter can scan the target network and identify potential honeypots based on various criteria, such as IP address, domain name, or open ports. Analyzing the MAC address can detect instances running on VMware, which is a common platform for deploying honeypots. A honeypot running on VMware will have a MAC address that starts with 00:0C:29, 00:50:56, or 00:05:69.

References:
What is a Honeypot? Types, Benefits, Risks and Best Practices
Using Honeypots for Network Intrusion Detection Detecting Honeypot Access With Varonis

A.   Instant Messenger Applications; verifying the sender's identity before opening any files

Answer DescriptionExplanation: The attack scenario is best described as Instant Messenger Applications, and the measure that could have prevented it is verifying the sender’s identity before opening any files. Instant Messenger Applications are communication tools that allow users to exchange text, voice, video, and file messages in real time. However, they can also be used as attack vectors for spreading malware, such as viruses, worms, or Trojans, by exploiting the trust and familiarity between the users. In this scenario, the attacker compromised one of the team member’s messenger account and used it to send malicious files to the other team members, who may have opened them without suspicion, thus infecting their systems.

This type of attack is also known as an instant messaging worm12. To prevent this type of attack, the users should verify the sender’s identity before opening any files sent through instant messenger applications. This can be done by checking the sender’s profile, asking for confirmation, or using a secure channel. Additionally, the users should also follow other security tips, such as using strong passwords, updating the application software, scanning the files with antivirus software, and reporting any suspicious activity34.

References:
1: Instant Messaging Worm - Techopedia
2: Cybersecurity’s Silent Foe: A Comprehensive Guide to Computer Worms | Silent Quadrant
3: Instant Messenger Hacks: 10 Security Tips to Protect Yourself - MUO
4: Increased phishing attacks on instant messaging platforms: how to prevent them | Think Digital Partners

D.   Request a service ticket for the service principal name of the target service account

Answer DescriptionExplanation: A Kerberoasting attack is a technique that exploits the weak encryption of Kerberos service tickets to obtain the password hashes of service accounts that have a Service Principal Name (SPN) associated with them. The attacker can then crack the hashes offline and use the plaintext passwords to impersonate the service accounts and access network resources.

A Kerberoasting attack follows these steps:

The attacker impersonates a legitimate Active Directory user and authenticates to the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in the Active Directory environment. They then request a Ticket Granting Ticket (TGT) from the KDC to access network resources. The KDC complies because the attacker is impersonating a legitimate user.

The attacker enumerates the service accounts that have an SPN using tools like GetUserSPNs.py or PowerView. They then request a service ticket for each SPN from the KDC using their TGT. The KDC grants the service tickets, which are encrypted with the password hashes of the service accounts.

The attacker captures the service tickets and takes them offline. They then attempt to crack the password hashes using tools like Hashcat or John the Ripper. They can use various methods, such as brute force, dictionary, or hybrid attacks, to guess the passwords. Alternatively, they can use a PRINCE attack, which is a probabilistic password generation technique that combines common words, patterns, and transformations to generate likely passwords.

Once the attacker obtains the plaintext passwords of the service accounts, they can use them to authenticate as the service accounts and access the network resources that they are authorized to.

Therefore, the next step that the analyst should take after obtaining a valid TGT is to request a service ticket for the SPN of the target service account. This will allow them to capture the service ticket and extract the password hash of the service account.

References:
How to Perform Kerberoasting Attacks: The Ultimate Guide - StationX
PRINCE: PRobability INfinite Chained Elements

B.   The secure LDAP connection was not properly initialized due to a lack of 'use_ssl = True' in the server object creation

Answer DescriptionExplanation: The most plausible reason for the situation is that the secure LDAP connection was not properly initialized due to a lack of ‘use_ssl = True’ in the server object creation. To use secure LDAP (LDAPS), the CEH needs to specify the use_ssl parameter as True when creating the server object with the ldap3 library in Python. This parameter tells the library to use SSL/TLS encryption for the LDAP communication. If the parameter is omitted or set to False, the library will use plain LDAP, which may not be accepted by the target system that only allows secure LDAP connections. For example, the CEH can use the following code to create a secure LDAP server object:

from ldap3 import Server, Connection, ALL
server = Server('ldaps://', use_ssl=True, get_info=ALL)
connection = Connection(server, user='', password='') connection.bind()

The other options are not as plausible as option B for the following reasons:

A. The Python version installed on the CEH’s machine is incompatible with the ldap3 library: This option is unlikely because the ldap3 library supports Python versions from 2.6 to 3.9, which covers most of the commonly used Python versions3. Moreover, if the Python version was incompatible, the CEH would not be able to install the library or import it in the code, and would encounter errors before establishing the connection.

C. The enumeration process was blocked by the target system’s intrusion detection system: This option is possible but not very plausible because the CEH was able to establish a connection with the target, which means the intrusion detection system did not block the initial handshake. Moreover, the enumeration process would not affect the response of the target system, but rather the visibility of the results. If the intrusion detection system detected and blocked the enumeration, the CEH would receive an error message or a blank response, not an unexpected response.

D.The system failed to establish a connection due to an incorrect port number: This option is incorrect because the CEH was able to establish a connection with the target, which means the port number was correct. If the port number was incorrect, the CEH would not be able to connect to the target system at all, and would receive a connection refused error.

References:
1: ldap3 - LDAP library for Python
2: How to use LDAPS with Python - Stack Overflow
3: ldap3 2.9 documentation

C.   Whaling and Targeted Attacks

Answer DescriptionExplanation: Whaling is an advanced social engineering technique that targets high-profile individuals, such as executives, managers, or celebrities, by impersonating them or someone they trust, such as a colleague, partner, or vendor. The attacker creates a fake Linkedin profile, pretending to be a high-ranking official from a well-established company, and uses it to connect with other employees within the organization. The attacker then leverages the trust and authority of the fake profile to gain access to exclusive corporate events and proprietary project details shared within the network. This way, the attacker can launch targeted attacks against the organization, such as stealing sensitive data, compromising systems, or extorting money.

The most likely immediate threat to the organization is the loss of confidential information and intellectual property, which can damage the organization’s reputation, competitiveness, and profitability. The attacker can also use the information to launch further attacks, such as ransomware, malware, or sabotage, against the organization or its partners and customers.

The other options are not as accurate as whaling for describing this scenario. Pretexting is a social engineering technique that involves creating a false scenario or identity to obtain information or access from a victim. However, pretexting usually involves direct communication with the victim, such as a phone call or an email, rather than creating a fake Linkedin profile and connecting with the victim’s network. Spear phishing is a social engineering technique that involves sending a personalized and targeted email to a specific individual or group, usually containing a malicious link or attachment. However, spear phishing does not involve creating a fake Linkedin profile and connecting with the victim’s network.

Baiting and involuntary data leakage are not social engineering techniques, but rather possible outcomes of social engineering attacks. Baiting is a technique that involves offering something enticing to the victim, such as a free download, a gift card, or a job opportunity, in exchange for information or access. Involuntary data leakage is a situation where the victim unintentionally or unknowingly exposes sensitive information to the attacker, such as by clicking on a malicious link, opening an infected attachment, or using an unsecured network.

References:
Whaling: What is a whaling attack?
Advanced Social Engineering Attack Techniques
Top 8 Social Engineering Techniques and How to Prevent Them

B.   Encrypt all sensitive data stored on the device.

Answer DescriptionExplanation: Encrypting all sensitive data stored on the device is the best measure to ensure the security of this data, because it protects the data from unauthorized access or disclosure, even if the device is lost, stolen, or compromised. Encryption is a process of transforming data into an unreadable format using a secret key or algorithm. Only authorized parties who have the correct key or algorithm can decrypt and access the data. Encryption can be applied to data at rest, such as files or databases, or data in transit, such as network traffic or messages. Encryption can prevent attackers from stealing or tampering with the customer data stored on the device, such as credit card details and PINs, which can cause financial or identity fraud.

The other options are not as effective or sufficient as encryption for securing the customer data stored on the device. Implementing biometric authentication for app access may provide an additional layer of security, but it does not protect the data from being accessed by other means, such as malware, physical access, or backup extraction. Enabling GPS tracking for all devices using the app may help locate the device in case of loss or theft, but it does not prevent the data from being accessed by unauthorized parties, and it may also pose privacy risks. Regularly updating the app to the latest version may help fix bugs or vulnerabilities, but it does not guarantee the security of the data, especially if the app does not use encryption or other security features.

References:
Securely Storing Data | Security.org
Data Storage Security: 5 Best Practices to Secure Your Data
M9: Insecure Data Storage | OWASP Foundation

B.   Man-in-the-middle Attack Using Forged ICMP and ARP Spoofing

Answer DescriptionExplanation: A man-in-the-middle attack using forged ICMP and ARP spoofing is a type of network-level session hijacking attack where an attacker inserts their machine into the communication between a client and a server, making it seem like the packets are flowing through the original path. This technique is primarily used to reroute the packets and intercept or modify the data exchanged between the client and the server.

A man-in-the-middle attack using forged ICMP and ARP spoofing works as follows1: The attacker sends a forged ICMP redirect message to the client, claiming to be the gateway. The ICMP redirect message tells the client to use the attacker’s machine as the next hop for reaching the server’s network. The client updates its routing table accordingly and starts sending packets to the attacker’s machine instead of the gateway.

The attacker also sends a forged ARP reply message to the client, claiming to be the server. The ARP reply message associates the attacker’s MAC address with the server’s IP address. The client updates its ARP cache accordingly and starts sending packets to the attacker’s MAC address instead of the server’s MAC address.

The attacker receives the packets from the client and forwards them to the server, acting as a relay. The attacker can also monitor, modify, or drop the packets as they wish. The server responds to the packets and sends them back to the attacker, who then forwards them to the client. The client and the server are unaware of the attacker’s presence and think they are communicating directly with each other.

Therefore, Jake is studying a man-in-the-middle attack using forged ICMP and ARP spoofing, which is a type of network-level session hijacking attack.

References:
Network or TCP Session Hijacking | Ethical Hacking - GreyCampus