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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Technology

Ethical Hacking Knowledge Assessment Quiz

Evaluate Your Penetration Testing and Security Skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a quiz on Ethical Hacking Knowledge Assessment.

This Ethical Hacking Knowledge Assessment helps you practice key ethical hacking and penetration testing ideas with quick multiple-choice questions. Use it to spot gaps before an exam or interview; for a broader tech refresher, try the IT basics quiz , or review core frameworks with the general knowledge quiz .

What is the primary goal of network scanning in ethical hacking?
Encrypting network traffic
Logging user credentials
Installing firewalls on the network
Identifying open ports and services
Network scanning is used to discover open ports and the services running on them. Identifying these points is essential for analyzing potential vulnerabilities.
Which phase of ethical hacking involves gathering information by using tools like Nmap?
Reporting
Remediation
Reconnaissance
Exploitation
Reconnaissance is the initial phase where information about targets is collected. Tools like Nmap help map the network and identify open ports without exploiting them.
Which tool is commonly used for developing and executing exploits during penetration tests?
Wireshark
Snort
Nessus
Metasploit Framework
The Metasploit Framework provides a comprehensive environment for creating and running exploit code. It is widely used by ethical hackers for penetration testing.
What does the principle of "least privilege" ensure in system security?
Administrators have full root access at all times
Default accounts are disabled permanently
All users can install software without restrictions
Users have only the permissions necessary for their tasks
The principle of least privilege restricts user permissions to only what is needed for their roles. This reduces the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of higher-level privileges.
In an ethical hacking engagement, which practice ensures compliance with legal requirements?
Obtaining written authorization before testing
Testing production systems without notification
Ignoring client scope limitations
Sharing credentials publicly
Written authorization defines the rules of engagement and provides legal protection for both the tester and the client. It ensures that all testing activities are authorized and within scope.
What distinguishes passive reconnaissance from active reconnaissance?
Passive modifies target's configuration
Passive uses exploit code to compromise systems
Passive gathers info without interacting directly with the target
Passive involves social engineering calls
Passive reconnaissance collects information through publicly available sources without touching the target. Active reconnaissance interacts directly with the target, potentially revealing the tester's presence.
Which OWASP Top 10 category is characterized by malicious scripts executed in users' browsers?
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
SQL Injection
Security Misconfiguration
Broken Authentication
Cross-Site Scripting allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. It is a top OWASP category due to its prevalence and impact.
Which vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate SQL queries sent to a database?
Directory Traversal
SQL Injection
Cross-Site Request Forgery
Command Injection
SQL Injection occurs when user input is not properly sanitized and is included in API queries or database commands. Attackers can alter queries to read or manipulate data.
What is the main purpose of a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
To detect low-level hardware faults
To filter and monitor HTTP traffic to and from a web application
To perform password cracking on web servers
To manage encryption keys in transit
A WAF inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic to detect and block common web-based attacks. It sits between users and the web application to enforce security rules.
What do the Base Metrics in the CVSS scoring system primarily assess?
User awareness levels
Intrinsic characteristics of a vulnerability
Network bandwidth usage
Cost of remediation efforts
CVSS Base Metrics measure fundamental traits of a vulnerability, such as attack vector and complexity. They provide a standardized severity score independent of environment.
Which Linux feature is often targeted for local privilege escalation?
Firewall logging
SUID bit on executables
TCP port 80 listening
SELinux permissive mode
The SUID bit allows an executable to run with the file owner's privileges. If misconfigured, attackers can exploit it to gain elevated access.
In Metasploit, what is the purpose of the msfconsole interface?
It serves as a remote VPN client
It provides a unified command-line interface for modules
It visualizes network topologies graphically
It patches vulnerabilities automatically
msfconsole is the primary CLI for interacting with Metasploit modules and executing commands. It consolidates all features into a single interface.
What technique uses a precompiled list of possible passwords to attempt to breach an account?
Buffer overflow attack
Man-in-the-middle attack
Dictionary attack
Rainbow table attack
A dictionary attack tries passwords from a wordlist to find valid credentials. It relies on common words or previously leaked lists rather than all possible combinations.
Why might an ethical hacker use proxy tools like Burp Suite during testing?
To intercept and modify HTTP messages between client and server
To scan wireless networks for hidden SSIDs
To manage user credentials in Active Directory
To brute-force encrypted archives offline
Proxy tools capture and allow modification of HTTP requests and responses in real time. This helps testers understand how the application handles input and discover flaws.
Which aspect is critical for defining the scope during a penetration test engagement?
The amount of funding available
Explicit target boundaries and permissions
The number of team members
The color scheme of the client's logo
Clear scope ensures the tester knows exactly which systems and tests are authorized. It protects both parties legally and prevents unintended disruptions.
In a buffer overflow exploit, what component typically overwrites control data to hijack execution flow?
Return address on the stack
Disk partition table
CPU instruction cache
DNS resolution buffer
In stack-based buffer overflows, overwriting the return address redirects execution to attacker-supplied code. Control of this address is critical for exploit success.
How can an attacker evade signature-based intrusion detection systems using fragmentation?
By spoofing MAC addresses on the network
By altering file timestamps
By splitting malicious payloads across multiple packets
By encrypting payloads with SSL
Fragmentation breaks a single malicious payload into smaller packets that may not match IDS signatures. Reassembly on the target side restores the full payload.
Which method is used in time-based blind SQL injection to infer database responses?
Uploading a web shell directly
Observing delays in server response to injected conditions
Capturing cookies with HTTPOnly flags disabled
Checking for verbose error messages
Time-based blind SQL injection relies on conditional database commands that introduce delays. Attackers measure response times to deduce true or false outcomes.
Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerabilities primarily allow attackers to:
Escalate privileges on the local machine
Bypass password complexity rules
Make unauthorized requests from the server to internal systems
Inject client-side JavaScript
SSRF tricks the server into issuing HTTP requests to internal resources it otherwise couldn't access. This can expose sensitive endpoints and data.
Under legal considerations, which act in the United States governs unauthorized computer access?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)
Freedom of Information Act
The CFAA criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems and data. Ethical hackers must operate within its provisions to avoid legal penalties.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze vulnerabilities in network systems
  2. Identify common ethical hacking methodologies
  3. Apply security countermeasures to simulated threats
  4. Evaluate risk factors in web application security
  5. Demonstrate proficiency with penetration testing tools
  6. Master ethical guidelines and legal considerations

Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking - Ethical hacking is all about thinking like a hacker, but wearing a white hat! You'll dive into its mission, understand the legal playground, and learn why spotting weaknesses before the bad guys is a total game-changer. Armed with this knowledge, you can outsmart malicious intruders and keep systems safe. Correctly formatted link
  2. The Five Phases of Ethical Hacking - Break down ethical hacking into five exciting phases: reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering tracks. Each stage is like a level in your favorite video game - complete one, move to the next, and watch your skills level up! By mastering this roadmap, you'll map out hacker mindsets and stay two steps ahead. Correctly formatted link
  3. Essential Hacking Tools - Grab your digital toolbox and meet the heavy hitters: Nmap, Metasploit, and Wireshark. Think of them as your trusty sword, shield, and spyglass for network exploration, penetration tests, and traffic sleuthing. Get hands-on practice and you'll be unstoppable in your ethical hacking quests! Correctly formatted link
  4. Understanding Vulnerabilities - From sneaky software bugs to yawn-inducing misconfigurations and flimsy passwords, vulnerabilities come in all shapes and sizes. Knowing how each one works is like discovering secret trapdoors you can patch up. The more you study them, the tougher systems become against real villains. Correctly formatted link
  5. Attack Vectors Deep Dive - Say hello to SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and buffer overflows - three of the most notorious ways hackers break in. Learning how they work is like seeing their secret cheat codes. Then, you'll build ironclad defenses so those tricks bounce right off! Correctly formatted link
  6. Social Engineering Tricks - Not all hacking is techy; sometimes it's pure mind games! Phishing, pretexting, and baiting are social engineering's sneakiest moves. By mastering these tactics, you'll learn how to spot psychological tricks and bolster human firewalls. Correctly formatted link
  7. Maintaining Access Strategies - Once you're in, how do you stick around unnoticed? Persistence techniques help hackers - and ethical pros - keep a low profile on compromised systems. Learn these methods to sharpen your defense and ultimately evict unwanted guests. Correctly formatted link
  8. Malware Types & Impact - Viruses, worms, trojans, and ransomware - oh my! Each type of malware has unique moves and damage levels. Get your magnifying glass out and dissect their behavior so you can quarantine and prevent their chaos. Correctly formatted link
  9. Reporting & Documentation - The fun isn't over when the hack stops; writing clear reports is your final boss. Document findings, craft actionable recommendations, and ensure everything stays on the right side of the law. Great reports turn your adventures into real-world security wins. Correctly formatted link
  10. Ethical Guidelines & Legalities - Rules matter, even in hacking. Ethical guidelines and legal considerations are your moral compass, steering every test toward responsible and lawful territory. Follow them, and your white-hat journey becomes legendary. Correctly formatted link
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