CEHPC Exam Dumps - CertiProf Ethical Hacking Professional Questions and Answers

SQL Injection is acritical web application vulnerabilitythat allows attackers to manipulate SQL queries executed by a database, making option A the correct answer. This vulnerability occurs when user input is improperly validated or sanitized before being included in SQL statements.

By exploiting SQL Injection, attackers can bypass authentication, retrieve sensitive data, modify or delete database contents, and in some cases execute administrative operations on the database server. Ethical hackers test for SQL Injection during web application penetration testing to identify insecure coding practices.

Option B is incorrect because SQL Injection is not a database system. Option C is incorrect because SQL Injection allows unauthorized users to execute SQL commands, not just administrators.

From a defensive security perspective, SQL Injection highlights the importance of secure coding practices such as parameterized queries, prepared statements, input validation, and least-privilege database access.

SQL Injection remains a top threat due to legacy applications and poor development practices. Ethical hackers use controlled testing to demonstrate the real-world impact of these vulnerabilities and help organizations protect critical data assets.

Kali Linux is based onDebian, making option C the correct answer. Debian is a stable, secure, and widely used Linux distribution known for its reliability and extensive package management system.

Kali Linux builds upon Debian’s architecture and package repositories, adding hundreds of preinstalled tools specifically designed for penetration testing, digital forensics, and security auditing. Ethical hackers rely on Kali because it provides a ready-to-use environment for professional security assessments.

Option A is incorrect because Ubuntu, while also Debian-based, is not the direct base of Kali Linux. Option B is incorrect because Arch Linux uses a completely different package management and system design.

Understanding the base operating system is important for ethical hackers because it affects system administration, package management, and security updates. Kali uses Debian’s APT package manager, which allows consistent updates and reliable tool maintenance.

Knowing Kali’s Debian foundation helps professionals troubleshoot issues, manage dependencies, and maintain secure environments during penetration testing engagements.

In penetration testing labs and intentionally vulnerable machines, a flag is afile or string placed inside the system to verify successful exploitation, making option B the correct answer. Flags are commonly used in Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, training platforms, and vulnerable virtual machines.

Flags typically contain a unique keyword, hash, or identifier that can only be accessed after exploiting a vulnerability or achieving a specific level of access, such as user or root privileges. Ethical hackers use flags to confirm progress and validate that attack objectives have been met.

Option A is incorrect because flags do not provide instructions or guidance. Option C is incorrect because flags are not symbolic images or representations.

From an ethical hacking education perspective, flags serve asmeasurable proof of exploitation success. They help learners track achievements and ensure that vulnerabilities were exploited correctly rather than guessed or bypassed incorrectly.

Understanding flags reinforces structured penetration testing methodologies, clear objectives, and verification steps. In professional environments, flags conceptually translate to proof-of-concept evidence provided in penetration testing reports to demonstrate risk and impact.

A "White Hat" hacker, often referred to in the provided text as a "Whitehack," represents the ethical side of the cybersecurity spectrum. Unlike "Black Hat" hackers who operate with malicious intent for personal gain or "Gray Hat" hackers who operate in a legal middle ground, White Hats are cybersecurity professionals or experts. Their primary objective is to use their extensive technical skills and knowledge to identify and fix vulnerabilities within systems, networks, or applications. This work is done with the explicit goal of improving security and protecting against potential cyber threats that could cause significant damage to an organization.

In the phases of ethical hacking, White Hats follow a disciplined methodology that mirrors the steps a malicious actor might take, but with two fundamental differences: authorization and intent. They are hired by organizations to perform penetration tests or vulnerability assessments. By simulating an attack, they can discover where a system's defenses might fail before a real attacker finds the same flaw. Once a vulnerability is identified, the White Hat provides a detailed report to the organization, including technical data and remediation strategies to patch the hole.

This proactive approach is essential in modern information security management. White Hat hackers often hold certifications like the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and adhere to a strict code of ethics. They play a vital role in the "Defense-in-Depth" strategy, ensuring that security controls like firewalls and encryption are functioning as intended. By acting as "security researchers" rather than "criminals," they help create a safer digital environment where organizations can defend their sensitive data against the ever-evolving landscape of global cyber threats.

Nmap is the primary tool used forport scanning, making option B the correct answer. Port scanning is a core activity during the reconnaissance and scanning phases of penetration testing, where the goal is to identify open, closed, or filtered ports on target systems.

Nmap allows ethical hackers to discover which services are running, their versions, and potential misconfigurations. It supports multiple scan types, including TCP SYN scans, UDP scans, and service detection scans, making it highly versatile and efficient.

Option A is incorrect because Metasploit is primarily an exploitation framework, not a dedicated port scanner. Option C is incorrect because Shodan is an internet-wide search engine, not a direct scanning tool used against specific targets.

Understanding port scanning is essential for identifying attack surfaces. Open ports often expose services that may contain vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. Ethical hackers use Nmap responsibly to map networks and guide further testing.

From a defensive perspective, regular port scanning helps organizations identify unnecessary services and enforce least-exposure principles. Nmap remains one of the most fundamental tools in ethical hacking and network security.

Nmap, also known asNetwork Mapper, is a widely used open-source tool in ethical hacking and penetration testing. It plays a critical role during thereconnaissance and scanning phasesof ethical hacking, where the primary goal is to collect information about target systems in a legal and authorized manner. Ethical hackers rely on Nmap to understand the structure and exposure of a network before moving forward with deeper security testing.

The tool works by sending various types of packets to target hosts and analyzing the responses. Based on these responses, Nmap can identifyactive hosts,open and closed ports,running services,service versions,operating systems, and even certainfirewall and intrusion detection configurations. This information is essential for identifying potential weaknesses such as unnecessary open ports, misconfigured services, or outdated software.

Option A correctly defines Nmap because it accurately reflects its purpose as a scanning and discovery tool rather than an exploitation utility. Option B is incorrect because Nmap does not exploit vulnerabilities; exploitation is typically performed using specialized frameworks such as vulnerability scanners or exploitation platforms. Option C is also incorrect because although Nmap can perform host discovery similar to ping, it offers far more advanced capabilities than simple network reachability checks.

From an ethical hacking perspective, Nmap supportspreventive and defensive security objectives. By revealing network visibility issues and configuration flaws, it enables organizations to harden systems, reduce attack surfaces, and comply with security best practices. When used ethically and with proper authorization, Nmap is a foundational tool for strengthening information security.

Pinging is a basic network diagnostic technique used to determine whether a host is reachable over a network. In most jurisdictions,pinging alone is not considered a crime, as it simply sends an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) request and waits for a response. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

In ethical hacking and cybersecurity operations, pinging is commonly used during theinitial reconnaissance phaseto identify live hosts within a network range. It does not access data, exploit vulnerabilities, or modify systems. Instead, it only confirms whether a system is online and responding to network traffic.

Option B is incorrect because ping is a fully functional and widely used networking utility. Option C is also incorrect because pinging does not violate privacy in itself; it does not retrieve personal data or system contents. However, it is important to note that while pinging is generally legal,organizational policies and laws vary, and repeated or aggressive scanning activity may still be considered suspicious.

From an ethical hacking standpoint, authorization is always required before performing any form of reconnaissance during a professional security assessment. Ethical hackers operate under strict legal agreements, even when using low-impact tools such as ping. Understanding the legal and ethical boundaries of reconnaissance techniques helps cybersecurity professionals avoid unintentional policy violations while conducting legitimate security testing.

Metasploit is a widely used penetration testing framework designed to develop, test, and execute exploit code against target systems. It is primarily used by cybersecurity experts, including ethical hackers, penetration testers, red team members, and security researchers. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

In the context of ethical hacking, Metasploit is most commonly used during the exploitation and post-exploitation phases of penetration testing. After reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning identify potential weaknesses, Metasploit allows security professionals to safely verify whether those vulnerabilities can be exploited in real-world scenarios. This helps organizations understand the actual risk level of discovered flaws rather than relying solely on theoretical vulnerability reports.

Metasploit provides a vast library of exploits, payloads, auxiliary modules, and post-exploitation tools. Ethical hackers use these modules in controlled environments and with proper authorization to test system defenses, validate security controls, and demonstrate attack paths to stakeholders. It is not designed for non-technical professions such as agriculture or food engineering, making options A and B incorrect.

From an ethical standpoint, Metasploit supports defensive security objectives by enabling organizations to identify weaknesses before malicious attackers do. It is frequently used in security assessments, red team exercises, and cybersecurity training programs. When used legally and responsibly, Metasploit helps improve system hardening, incident response readiness, and overall organizational security posture.

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a specialized information security control designed to protect web applications by filtering, monitoring, and blocking HTTP/HTTPS traffic to and from a web service. Unlike a traditional network firewall that filters traffic based on IP addresses and ports, a WAF operates at the Application Layer (Layer 7 of the OSI model). It inspects the actual content of the web traffic to identify and neutralize sophisticated application-level attacks such as SQL Injection (SQLi), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and File Inclusion.

A WAF acts as a "reverse proxy," sitting in front of the web application server and acting as an intermediary. It uses a set of rules (often based on the OWASP Top 10) to determine which traffic is legitimate and which is malicious. For example, if a user submits a search query containing suspicious SQL commands, the WAF will recognize the pattern and drop the request before it ever reaches the database, thereby protecting the server from compromise.

In the context of ethical hacking, a WAF is a formidable defense that testers must learn to navigate. During a penetration test, a WAF may block automated scanning tools, forcing the tester to use manual, stealthy techniques to identify vulnerabilities. For organizations, implementing a WAF is a critical "defense-in-depth" strategy. Even if a web application has an underlying code vulnerability, the WAF can provide a "virtual patch" by blocking the exploit attempt at the network edge. This allows developers time to fix the code without leaving the application exposed. Mastering WAF configuration and bypass techniques is essential for security professionals who aim to protect modern, web-centric business environments.

An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a foundational administrative control and a formal document that outlines the rules and behaviors expected of employees, contractors, and other stakeholders when using an organization’s information technology assets. These assets include computers, networks, internet access, email systems, and mobile devices. The primary purpose of an AUP is to protect the organization from legal liability, security breaches, and productivity losses by clearly defining what constitutes "acceptable" versus "forbidden" activity.

A robust AUP typically covers several key areas:

Prohibited Activities: Explicitly forbidding illegal acts, harassment, accessing inappropriate content (such as pornography), or using company resources for personal gain.

Data Protection: Requiring employees to protect passwords and sensitive data, and forbidding the unauthorized installation of software.

Monitoring and Privacy: Informing users that the company reserves the right to monitor network traffic and that there is no expectation of privacy on corporate systems.

Consequences: Stating the disciplinary actions that will be taken if the policy is violated.

From an ethical hacking and auditing perspective, the AUP is often the first document reviewed. If a user’s poor security habits lead to a breach, the AUP provides the legal and administrative framework for the organization to respond. Furthermore, a well-communicated AUP serves as a "deterrent control," discouraging employees from engaging in risky behaviors that could open the door to social engineering or malware infections. It is a critical component of "Governance, Risk, and Compliance" (GRC) within any enterprise.