CEHPC Exam Dumps - CertiProf Ethical Hacking Professional Questions and Answers

In the Linux operating system, "root" is the conventional name of the superuser who possesses the highest level of administrative control and access rights. Unlike standard user accounts, which are restricted to their own home directories and limited system actions, the root user has the authority to read, write, and execute any file on the system, regardless of the permissions set. This makes "root" the ultimate authority for system configuration, security management, and software installation.

Technically, the root user is identified by a User ID (UID) of 0. This account is essential for performing critical tasks such as managing user accounts, modifying the kernel, accessing protected hardware ports, and altering system-wide configuration files located in directories like /etc. In the context of ethical hacking and penetration testing, gaining "root access"—often referred to as "Privilege Escalation"—is frequently the ultimate goal. If an attacker gains root access, they have "full system compromise," meaning they can install backdoors, disable security logging, and pivot to other systems on the network.

Because of the immense power associated with this account, security controls dictate that it should be used sparingly. Most modern Linux distributions encourage the use of the sudo command, which allows a regular user to execute a specific task with root privileges temporarily. This minimizes the risk of accidental system damage or the permanent exposure of the root credentials. Protecting the root account is a fundamental master information security control; if the root password is weak or the account is left exposed via a remote service like SSH, the entire integrity of the information system is at risk. Understanding root is not just about identifying a user, but about understanding the hierarchy of permissions that governs all Linux-based security.

SQL Injection (SQLi) is a critical web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database. It occurs when an application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before including it in a Structured Query Language (SQL) command. By injecting malicious SQL code into an input field—such as a login form or a search bar—an attacker can trick the database into executing unintended commands.

The impact of a successful SQL injection attack can be devastating:

Data Theft: Attackers can bypass authentication to view sensitive information they are not authorized to see, such as user passwords, personal data, or credit card details.

Data Manipulation: An attacker can modify or delete data within the database, potentially leading to permanent data loss or the corruption of business records.

Identity Theft: By gaining access to user tables, attackers can take over administrative accounts.

Full System Compromise: In some configurations, SQLi can be used to gain access to the underlying server's operating system.

Ethical hackers test for SQLi by entering special characters (like ' or --) into input fields to see if the application returns a database error. Mitigation involves usingPrepared Statements(parameterized queries), which treat user input as data rather than executable code, and implementing strict input validation. Despite being one of the oldest web vulnerabilities, SQLi remains a top threat on the OWASP Top 10 list due to the prevalence of legacy code and poor coding practices.

Updating an operating system is a fundamental aspect of maintaininginformation security hygiene, especially in security-focused distributions such as Kali Linux. The correct command used to update the package list in Kali Linux from the console is sudo apt-get update, making option C the correct answer.

This command synchronizes the local package index with the repositories configured on the system. It does not install upgrades itself but retrieves the latest information about available software versions and security patches. Ethical hackers and security professionals rely on updated systems to ensure that tools function correctly and that known vulnerabilities are patched.

Option A is incorrect because it is not a valid Linux command. Option B is incorrect due to invalid characters and improper syntax. Proper command accuracy is critical in security environments, as incorrect commands can lead to system instability or incomplete updates.

From an ethical hacking standpoint, keeping Kali Linux updated ensures access to the latest penetration testing tools, vulnerability scanners, and security fixes. Many exploits target outdated software, so regular updates significantly reduce exposure to known threats.

Understanding system maintenance commands supports secure operations and reinforces best practices in defensive security and professional ethical hacking workflows.