EC-COUNCIL EC-COUNCIL Certifications 312-50V12 Questions & Answers

• Question 51:

  Your company suspects a potential security breach and has hired you as a Certified Ethical Hacker to investigate. You discover evidence of footprinting through search engines and advanced Google hacking techniques. The attacker utilized Google search operators to extract sensitive information. You further notice queries that indicate the use of the Google Hacking Database (GHDB) with an emphasis on VPN footprinting. Which of the following Google advanced search operators would be the LEAST useful in providing the attacker with sensitive VPN-related information?

  A. intitle: This operator restricts results to only the pages containing the specified term in the title

  B. location: This operator finds information for a specific location

  C. inur: This operator restricts the results to only the pages containing the specified word in the URL

  D. link: This operator searches websites or pages that contain links to the specified website or page

  Correct Answer: B

  The location: operator is the least useful in providing the attacker with sensitive VPN-related information, because it does not directly relate to VPN configuration, credentials, or vulnerabilities. The location: operator finds information for a specific location, such as a city, country, or region. For example, location:paris would return results related to Paris, France. However, this operator does not help the attacker to identify or access VPN servers or clients, unless they are specifically named or indexed by their location, which is unlikely. The other operators are more useful in providing the attacker with sensitive VPN-related information, because they can help the attacker to find pages or files that contain VPN configuration, credentials, or vulnerabilities. The intitle: operator restricts results to only the pages containing the specified term in the title. For example, intitle:vpn would return pages with VPN in their title, which may include VPN guides, manuals, or tutorials. The inurl: operator restricts the results to only the pages containing the specified word in the URL. For example, inurl:vpn would return pages with VPN in their URL, which may include VPN login portals, configuration files, or directories. The link: operator searches websites or pages that contain links to the specified website or page. For example, link:vpn.com would return pages that link to vpn.com, which may include VPN reviews, comparisons, or recommendations. References: Google Search Operators: The Complete List (44 Advanced Operators) Footprinting through search engines Module 02: Footprinting and Reconnaissance

• Question 52:

  A penetration tester is conducting an assessment of a web application for a financial institution. The application uses form-based authentication and does not implement account lockout policies after multiple failed login attempts. Interestingly, the application displays detailed error messages that disclose whether the username or password entered is incorrect. The tester also notices that the application uses HTTP headers to prevent clickjacking attacks but does not implement Content Security Policy (CSP). With these observations, which of the following attack methods would likely be the most effective for the penetration tester to exploit these vulnerabilities and attempt unauthorized access?

  A. The tester could execute a Brute Force attack, leveraging the lack of account lockout policy and the verbose error messages to guess the correct credentials

  B. The tester could exploit a potential SQL Injection vulnerability to manipulate the application's database

  C. The tester could launch a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack to steal authenticated session cookies, potentially bypassing the clickjacking protection

  D. The tester could execute a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack to intercept and modify the HTTP headers for a Clickjacking attack

  Correct Answer: A

  The most effective attack method for the penetration tester to exploit these vulnerabilities and attempt unauthorized access would be to execute a Brute Force attack, leveraging the lack of account lockout policy and the verbose error messages to guess the correct credentials. A Brute Force attack is a hacking method that uses trial and error to crack passwords, login credentials, or encryption keys. It is a simple yet reliable tactic for gaining unauthorized access to individual accounts and organizations' systems and networks. In this scenario, the tester can take advantage of the fact that the application does not lock out users after multiple failed login attempts, which means the tester can try as many combinations as possible without being blocked. The tester can also use the detailed error messages that disclose whether the username or password entered is incorrect, which can help narrow down the search space and reduce the number of guesses needed. For example, if the tester enters a wrong username and a wrong password, and the application responds with "Invalid username", the tester can eliminate that username from the list of candidates and focus on finding the correct one. Similarly, if the tester enters a correct username and a wrong password, and the application responds with "Invalid password", the tester can confirm that username and focus on finding the correct password. By using automated tools or scripts, the tester can perform a Brute Force attack faster and more efficiently. The other options are not as effective or feasible as option A for the following reasons:

  B. The tester could exploit a potential SQL Injection vulnerability to manipulate the application's database: This option is not feasible because there is no indication that the application is vulnerable to SQL Injection, which is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database. The application uses form-based authentication, which does not necessarily involve SQL queries, and the error messages do not reveal any SQL syntax or structure. Moreover, even if the application was vulnerable to SQL Injection, the tester would need to craft a malicious SQL query that can bypass the authentication mechanism and grant access to the application, which may not be possible or easy depending on the database design and configuration. C. The tester could launch a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack to steal authenticated session cookies, potentially bypassing the clickjacking protection: This option is not effective because there is no evidence that the application is vulnerable to XSS, which is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to compromise the interactions that users have with a vulnerable application by injecting malicious scripts3. The application uses HTTP headers to prevent clickjacking attacks, which are a type of attack that tricks a user into clicking on a hidden or disguised element on a web page4. However, this does not imply that the application is vulnerable to XSS, which requires a different type of injection point and payload. Moreover, even if the application was vulnerable to XSS, the tester would need to find a way to deliver the malicious script to a legitimate user who is already authenticated, and then capture the stolen session cookies from the user's browser, which may not be feasible or easy depending on the application's design and security measures. D. The tester could execute a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack to intercept and modify the HTTP headers for a Clickjacking attack: This option is not feasible because a MitM attack is a type of attack that requires the attacker to insert themselves between two parties who believe that they are directly communicating with each other, and then relay or alter the communications between them5. In this scenario, the tester would need to intercept the HTTP traffic between the user and the application, and then modify the HTTP headers to remove or weaken the clickjacking protection. However, this would require the tester to have access to the network infrastructure or the user's device, which may not be possible or easy depending on the network security and encryption. Moreover, even if the tester could perform a MitM attack, the tester would still need to trick the user into clicking on a malicious element on a web page, which may not be possible or easy depending on the user's awareness and behavior. References:

  1: What is a Brute Force Attack? | Definition, Types and How It Works - Fortinet

  2: What is SQL Injection? Tutorial and Examples | Web Security Academy

  3: Cross Site Scripting (XSS) | OWASP Foundation

  4: What is Clickjacking? | Definition, Types and Examples - Fortinet

  5: Man-in-the-middle attack - Wikipedia

• Question 53:

  A cyber attacker has initiated a series of activities against a high-profile organization following the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology. The attacker is presently in the "Delivery" stage. As an Ethical Hacker, you are trying to anticipate the

  adversary's next move.

  What is the most probable subsequent action from the attacker based on the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology?

  A. The attacker will attempt to escalate privileges to gain complete control of the compromised system.

  B. The attacker will exploit the malicious payload delivered to the target organization and establish a foothold.

  C. The attacker will initiate an active connection to the target system to gather more data.

  D. The attacker will start reconnaissance to gather as much information as possible about the target.

  Correct Answer: B

  The most probable subsequent action from the attacker based on the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology is to exploit the malicious payload delivered to the target organization and establish a foothold. This option works as follows: The Cyber Kill Chain Methodology is a framework that describes the stages of a cyberattack from the perspective of the attacker. It helps defenders to understand the attacker's objectives, tactics, and techniques, and to design effective countermeasures. The Cyber Kill Chain Methodology consists of seven stages: reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives. The delivery stage is the third stage in the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, and it involves sending or transmitting the weaponized payload to the target system. The delivery stage can use various methods, such as email attachments, web links, removable media, or network protocols. The delivery stage aims to reach the target system and bypass any security controls, such as firewalls, antivirus, or email filters. The exploitation stage is the fourth stage in the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, and it involves executing the malicious payload on the target system. The exploitation stage can use various techniques, such as buffer overflows, code injection, or privilege escalation. The exploitation stage aims to exploit a vulnerability or a weakness in the target system and gain access to its resources, such as files, processes, or memory. The installation stage is the fifth stage in the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, and it involves installing a backdoor or a malware on the target system. The installation stage can use various tools, such as rootkits, trojans, or ransomware. The installation stage aims to establish a foothold on the target system and maintain persistence, which means to survive reboots, updates, or scans. Therefore, the most probable subsequent action from the attacker based on the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology is to exploit the malicious payload delivered to the target organization and establish a foothold, because: This action follows the logical sequence of the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, as it is the next stage after the delivery stage. This action is consistent with the attacker's goal, as it allows the attacker to gain access and control over the target system and prepare for further actions. This action is feasible, as the attacker has already delivered the malicious payload to the target system and may have bypassed some security controls. The other options are not as probable as option B for the following reasons:

  A. The attacker will attempt to escalate privileges to gain complete control of the compromised system: This option is possible, but not the most probable, because it is not the next stage in the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, but rather a technique that can be used in the exploitation stage or the installation stage. Privilege escalation is a method of increasing the level of access or permissions on a system, such as from a normal user to an administrator. Privilege escalation can help the attacker to gain complete control of the compromised system, but it is not a mandatory step, as the attacker may already have sufficient privileges or may use other techniques to achieve the same goal12. C. The attacker will initiate an active connection to the target system to gather more data: This option is possible, but not the most probable, because it is not the next stage in the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, but rather a technique that can be used in the command and control stage or the actions on objectives stage. An active connection is a communication channel that allows the attacker to send commands or receive data from the target system, such as a remote shell or a botnet. An active connection can help the attacker to gather more data from the target system, but it is not a necessary step, as the attacker may already have enough data or may use other techniques to obtain more data12. D. The attacker will start reconnaissance to gather as much information as possible about the target: This option is not probable, because it is not the next stage in the Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, but rather the first stage. Reconnaissance is the process of collecting information about the target, such as its IP address, domain name, network structure, services, vulnerabilities, or employees. Reconnaissance is usually done before the delivery stage, as it helps the attacker to identify the target and plan the attack. Reconnaissance can be done again after the delivery stage, but it is not the most likely action, as the attacker may already have enough information or may focus on other actions12. References:

  1: The Cyber Kill Chain: The Seven Steps of a Cyberattack - EC-Council

  2: Cyber Kill Chain?| Lockheed Martin

• Question 54:

  You're the security manager for a tech company that uses a database to store sensitive customer data. You have implemented countermeasures against SQL injection attacks. Recently, you noticed some suspicious activities and suspect an attacker is using SQL injection techniques. The attacker is believed to use different forms of payloads in his SQL queries. In the case of a successful SQL injection attack, which of the following payloads would have the most significant impact?

  A. `OR 'T="1: This payload manipulates the WHERE clause of an SQL statement, allowing the attacker to view unauthorized data

  B. `OR username LIKE '%: This payload uses the LIKE operator to search for a specific pattern in a column

  C. OR `a'='a; DROP TABLE members; --: This payload combines the manipulation of the WHERE clause with a destructive action, causing data loss

  D. UNION SELECT NULL, NULL, NULL -- : This payload manipulates the UNION SQL operator, enabling the attacker to retrieve data from different database tables

  Correct Answer: C

  The payload that would have the most significant impact in the case of a successful SQL injection attack is OR `a'='a; DROP TABLE members; --. This payload combines the manipulation of the WHERE clause with a destructive action,

  causing data loss. This payload works as follows:

  The OR `a'='a part of the payload is a logical expression that is always true, regardless of the input or the condition of the SQL statement. This part of the payload allows the attacker to bypass any authentication or authorization checks that

  may be implemented in the SQL statement, such as a login form or a search query.

  The ; part of the payload is a statement terminator that marks the end of the current SQL statement and allows the attacker to inject another SQL statement after it. This part of the payload enables the attacker to execute multiple SQL

  statements in a single query, which is also known as stacked queries or batched queries.

  The DROP TABLE members part of the payload is a destructive SQL statement that deletes the entire table named members from the database. This part of the payload causes data loss and may compromise the functionality and integrity of

  the application that relies on the table. The table name may vary depending on the target database, but the attacker can use other techniques, such as error-based or union-based SQL injection, to discover the table names before executing

  the drop statement.

  The ?part of the payload is a comment symbol that tells the SQL engine to ignore the rest of the query. This part of the payload helps the attacker to avoid any syntax errors or unwanted results that may arise from the original query. The other

  options are not as impactful as option C for the following reasons:

  A. `OR 'T="1: This payload manipulates the WHERE clause of an SQL statement, allowing the attacker to view unauthorized data. This payload is a common and basic SQL injection technique that injects a logical expression that is always true, such as 'OR 'T="1 or 'OR 1=1, to bypass the authentication or authorization checks of the SQL statement. This payload can allow the attacker to view data that they are not supposed to, such as user credentials, personal information, or financial records. However, this payload does not cause any data loss or modification, and it does not affect the functionality or integrity of the application. B. `OR username LIKE '%: This payload uses the LIKE operator to search for a specific pattern in a column. This payload is a variation of the previous payload that injects a logical expression that is always true, such as 'OR username LIKE '% or 'OR 1 LIKE '%, to bypass the authentication or authorization checks of the SQL statement. The LIKE operator is used to compare a value with a pattern that may contain wildcard characters, such as % or _, which match any string or character. This payload can allow the attacker to view data that matches the pattern, such as usernames that start with a certain letter or contain a certain substring. However, this payload does not cause any data loss or modification, and it does not affect the functionality or integrity of the application. D. UNION SELECT NULL, NULL, NULL ?: This payload manipulates the UNION SQL operator, enabling the attacker to retrieve data from different database tables. This payload is an advanced SQL injection technique that injects the UNION SQL operator to combine the results of two or more SELECT statements into a single result set, which is then returned as part of the HTTP response. The UNION operator can be used to join the results from different tables that have the same number and type of columns. The NULL values are used to match the column types and avoid any errors. This payload can allow the attacker to retrieve data from tables that are not intended to be accessed by the application, such as system tables, configuration tables, or backup tables. However, this payload does not cause any data loss or modification, and it does not affect the functionality or integrity of the application. References:

  1: SQL Injection - OWASP Foundation

  2: SQL Injection Payloads: How SQLi exploits work - Bright Security

  3: SQL Injection - HackTricks

• Question 55:

  You are an ethical hacker contracted to conduct a security audit for a company. During the audit, you discover that the company's wireless network is using WEP encryption. You understand the vulnerabilities associated with WEP and plan to recommend a more secure encryption method. Which of the following would you recommend as a Suitable replacement to enhance the security of the company's wireless network?

  A. MAC address filtering

  B. WPA2-PSK with AES encryption

  C. Open System authentication

  D. SSID broadcast disabling

  Correct Answer: B

  encryption is an outdated and insecure method of protecting wireless networks from unauthorized access and eavesdropping. WEP uses a static key that can be easily cracked by various tools and techniques, such as capturing the initialization vectors, brute-forcing the key, or exploiting the weak key scheduling algorithm. Therefore, you should recommend a more secure encryption method to enhance the security of the company's wireless network. One of the most suitable replacements for WEP encryption is WPA2-PSK with AES encryption. WPA2 stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, which is a security standard that improves upon the previous WPA standard. WPA2 uses a robust encryption algorithm called AES, which stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. AES is a block cipher that uses a 128-bit key and is considered to be very secure and resistant to attacks. WPA2-PSK stands for WPA2 Pre-Shared Key, which is a mode of WPA2 that uses a passphrase or a password to generate the encryption key. The passphrase or password must be entered by the users who want to connect to the wireless network. The key is then derived from the passphrase or password using a function called PBKDF2, which stands for Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2. PBKDF2 adds a salt and a number of iterations to the passphrase or password to make it harder to crack. WPA2-PSK with AES encryption offers several advantages over WEP encryption, such as: It uses a dynamic key that changes with each session, instead of a static key that remains the same. It uses a stronger encryption algorithm that is more difficult to break, instead of a weaker encryption algorithm that is more vulnerable to attacks. It uses a longer key that provides more security, instead of a shorter key that provides less security. It uses a more secure key derivation function that adds complexity and randomness, instead of a simple key generation function that is predictable and flawed. Therefore, you should recommend WPA2-PSK with AES encryption as a suitable replacement to enhance the security of the company's wireless network. References: Wireless Security - Encryption - Online Tutorials Library WiFi Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3 And Their Differences - NetSpot WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key)

• Question 56:

  A large enterprise has been experiencing sporadic system crashes and instability, resulting in limited access to its web services. The security team suspects it could be a result of a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. A significant increase in traffic was noticed in the network logs, with patterns suggesting packet sizes exceeding the prescribed size limit. Which among the following DoS attack techniques best describes this scenario?

  A. UDP flood attack

  B. Smurf attack

  C. Pulse wave attack

  D. Ping of Death attack

  Correct Answer: D

  A Ping of Death attack is a type of DoS attack that exploits a vulnerability in the IP protocol that allows packets to be fragmented and reassembled at the destination. The attacker sends a malformed packet that exceeds the maximum size of 65,535 bytes, which causes the target system to crash or become unstable when it tries to reassemble the packet. This attack can affect various operating systems and devices, such as routers, switches, and firewalls. A Ping of Death attack can be detected by monitoring the network traffic for unusually large packets or ICMP messages. References: Ping of Death (PoD) Attack Denial-of-Service Attacks: History, Techniques and Prevention What is a denial-of-service (DoS) attack?

• Question 57:

  As a cybersecurity professional, you are responsible for securing a high-traffic web application that uses MySQL as its backend database. Recently, there has been a surge of unauthorized login attempts, and you suspect that a seasoned black-hat hacker is behind them. This hacker has shown proficiency in SQL Injection and appears to be using the 'UNION' SQL keyword to trick the login process into returning additional data. However, your application's security measures include filtering special characters in user inputs, a method usually effective against such attacks. In this challenging environment, if the hacker still intends to exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability, which strategy is he most likely to employ?

  A. The hacker alters his approach and injects a `DROP TABLE' statement, a move that could potentially lead to the loss of vital data stored in the application's database.

  B. The hacker tries to manipulate the 'UNION' keyword in such a way that it triggers a database error, potentially revealing valuable information about the database's structure.

  C. The hacker switches tactics and resorts to a `time-based blind' SQL Injection attack, which would force the application to delay its response, thereby revealing information based on the duration of the delay.

  D. The hacker attempts to bypass the special character filter by encoding his malicious input, which could potentially enable him to successfully inject damaging SQL queries.

  Correct Answer: D

  SQL Injection is a type of attack that exploits a vulnerability in a web application that uses a SQL database. The attacker injects malicious SQL code into the user input, such as a login form, that is then executed by the database server. This

  can allow the attacker to access, modify, or delete data, or execute commands on the database server.

  The `UNION' SQL keyword is often used in SQL Injection attacks to combine the results of two or more SELECT statements into a single result set. This can allow the attacker to retrieve additional data from other tables or columns that are

  not intended to be displayed by the application. For example, if the application uses the following query to check the user credentials:

  SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '$username' AND password = '$password' The attacker can inject a `UNION' statement to append another query, such as:

  ' OR 1 = 1 UNION SELECT * FROM credit_cards -This will result in the following query being executed by the database server:

  SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '' OR 1 = 1 UNION SELECT * FROM credit_cards --' AND password = '$password'

  The first part of the query will always return true, and the second part of the query will return the data from the credit_cards table. The `? symbol is a comment that will ignore the rest of the query. The attacker can then see the credit card

  information in the application's response.

  However, some web applications implement security measures to prevent SQL Injection attacks, such as filtering special characters in user inputs. Special characters are symbols that have a special meaning in SQL, such as quotes,

  semicolons, dashes, etc. By filtering or escaping these characters, the application can prevent the attacker from injecting malicious SQL code. For example, if the application replaces single quotes with two single quotes, the previous injection

  attempt will fail, as the query will become:

  SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '''' OR 1 = 1 UNION SELECT * FROM credit_cards --'' AND password = '$password'

  This will result in a syntax error, as the query is not valid SQL. In this challenging environment, if the hacker still intends to exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability, the strategy that he is most likely to employ is to bypass the special character

  filter by encoding his malicious input. Encoding is a process of transforming data into a different format, such as hexadecimal, base64, URL, etc. By encoding his input, the hacker can avoid the filter and still inject malicious SQL code. For

  example, if the hacker encodes his input using URL encoding, the previous injection attempt will become:

  %27%20OR%201%20%3D%201%20UNION%20SELECT%20*%20FROM%20credit_card s%20-This will result in the following query being executed by the database server, after the application decodes the input:

  SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '' OR 1 = 1 UNION SELECT * FROM credit_cards --' AND password = '$password'

  This will succeed in returning the credit card information, as the filter will not detect the special characters in the encoded input. Therefore, the hacker is most likely to employ the strategy of bypassing the special character filter by encoding

  his malicious input, which could potentially enable him to successfully inject damaging SQL queries.

  References:

  SQL Injection | OWASP Foundation

  SQL Injection Union Attacks

  SQL Injection Bypassing WAF

• Question 58:

  Jake, a network security specialist, is trying to prevent network-level session hijacking attacks in his company. While studying different types of such attacks, he learns about a technique 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. Which of the following types of network-level session hijacking attacks is Jake studying?

  A. RST Hijacking

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

  C. UDP Hijacking

  D. TCP/IP Hijacking

  Correct Answer: B

  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 follows: 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

• Question 59:

  As a cybersecurity analyst for SecureNet, you are performing a security assessment of a new mobile payment application. One of your primary concerns is the secure storage of customer data on the device. The application stores sensitive information such as credit card details and personal identification numbers (PINs) on the device. Which of the following measures would best ensure the security of this data?

  A. Implement biometric authentication for app access.

  B. Encrypt all sensitive data stored on the device.

  C. Enable GPS tracking for all devices using the app.

  D. Regularly update the app to the latest version.

  Correct Answer: B

  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

• Question 60:

  An experienced cyber attacker has created a fake Linkedin profile, successfully impersonating a high-ranking official from a well-established company, to execute a social engineering attack. The attacker then connected with other employees within the organization, receiving invitations to exclusive corporate events and gaining access to proprietary project details shared within the network. What advanced social engineering technique has the attacker primarily used to exploit the system and what is the most likely immediate threat to the organization?

  A. Pretexting and Network Vulnerability

  B. Spear Phishing and Spam

  C. Whaling and Targeted Attacks

  D. Baiting and Involuntary Data Leakage

  Correct Answer: C

  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