A penetration tester needs to confirm the version number of a client's web application server. Which of the following techniques should the penetration tester use?

Correct Answer:C
Banner grabbing is a technique used to obtain information about a network service, including its version number, by connecting to the service and reading the response.
✑ Understanding Banner Grabbing:
✑ Manual Banner Grabbing:
Step-by-Step Explanationtelnet target_ip 80
✑ uk.co.certification.simulator.questionpool.PList@5af47689 nc target_ip 80
✑ Automated Banner Grabbing: nmap -sV target_ip
✑ Benefits:
✑ References from Pentesting Literature: References:
✑ Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
✑ HTB Official Writeups
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A tester performs a vulnerability scan and identifies several outdated libraries used within the customer SaaS product offering. Which of the following types of scans did the tester use to identify the libraries?

Correct Answer:D
kube-hunter is a tool designed to perform security assessments on Kubernetes clusters. It identifies various vulnerabilities, focusing on weaknesses and misconfigurations. Here??s why option B is correct:
✑ Kube-hunter: It scans Kubernetes clusters to identify security issues, such as misconfigurations, insecure settings, and potential attack vectors.
✑ Network Configuration Errors: While kube-hunter might identify some network- related issues, its primary focus is on Kubernetes-specific vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
✑ Application Deployment Issues: These are more related to the applications running within the cluster, not the cluster configuration itself.
✑ Security Vulnerabilities in Docker Containers: Kube-hunter focuses on the Kubernetes environment rather than Docker container-specific vulnerabilities.
References from Pentest:
✑ Forge HTB: Highlights the use of specialized tools to identify misconfigurations in environments, similar to how kube-hunter operates within Kubernetes clusters.
✑ Anubis HTB: Demonstrates the importance of identifying and fixing misconfigurations within complex environments like Kubernetes clusters.
Conclusion:
Option B, weaknesses and misconfigurations in the Kubernetes cluster, accurately describes the type of vulnerabilities that kube-hunter is designed to detect.
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During an assessment, a penetration tester manages to get RDP access via a low-privilege user. The tester attempts to escalate privileges by running the following commands:
Import-Module .PrintNightmare.ps1
Invoke-Nightmare -NewUser "hacker" -NewPassword "Password123!" -DriverName "Print"
The tester attempts to further enumerate the host with the new administrative privileges by using the runas command. However, the access level is still low. Which of the following actions should the penetration tester take next?

Correct Answer:A
In the scenario where a penetration tester uses the PrintNightmare exploit to create a new user with administrative privileges but still experiences low-privilege access, the tester should log off and log on with the new "hacker" account to escalate privileges correctly.
✑ PrintNightmare Exploit:
✑ Commands Breakdown:
✑ Issue:
✑ Solution:
Pentest References:
✑ Privilege Escalation: After gaining initial access, escalating privileges is crucial to gain full control over the target system.
✑ Session Management: Understanding how user sessions work and ensuring that new privileges are recognized by starting a new session.
✑ The use of the PrintNightmare exploit highlights a specific technique for privilege escalation within Windows environments.
By logging off and logging on with the new "hacker" account, the penetration tester can ensure the new administrative privileges are fully applied, allowing for further enumeration and exploitation of the target system.
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A penetration tester is working on a security assessment of a mobile application that was developed in-house for local use by a hospital. The hospital and its customers are very concerned about disclosure of information. Which of the following tasks should the penetration tester do first?

Correct Answer:B
When performing a security assessment on a mobile application, especially one concerned with information disclosure, it is crucial to follow a structured approach to identify vulnerabilities comprehensively. Here??s why option B is correct:
✑ Mobile Application Security Framework: This framework provides a structured methodology for assessing the security of mobile applications. It includes various tests such as static analysis, dynamic analysis, and reverse engineering, which are essential for identifying vulnerabilities related to information disclosure.
✑ Initial Steps: Running the application through a security framework allows the tester to identify a broad range of potential issues systematically. This initial step ensures that all aspects of the application's security are covered before delving into more specific tools like Drozer or Frida.
References from Pentest:
✑ Writeup HTB: Demonstrates the use of structured methodologies to ensure comprehensive coverage of security assessments.
✑ Horizontall HTB: Emphasizes the importance of following a structured approach to identify and address security issues.
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During a penetration test, the tester identifies several unused services that are listening on all targeted internal laptops. Which of the following technical controls should the tester recommend to reduce the risk of compromise?

Correct Answer:C
When a penetration tester identifies several unused services listening on targeted internal laptops, the most appropriate recommendation to reduce the risk of compromise is system hardening. Here's why:
✑ System Hardening:
✑ Comparison with Other Controls:
System hardening is the most direct control for reducing the risk posed by unused services, making it the best recommendation.
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A penetration tester wants to check the security awareness of specific workers in the company with targeted attacks. Which of the following attacks should the penetration tester perform?

Correct Answer:D
Spear phishing is a targeted email attack aimed at specific individuals within an organization. Unlike general phishing, spear phishing is personalized and often involves extensive reconnaissance to increase the likelihood of success.
✑ Understanding Spear Phishing:
✑ Purpose:
✑ Process:
✑ References from Pentesting Literature: Step-by-Step ExplanationReferences:
✑ Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
✑ HTB Official Writeups
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