Ace Your PT0-003 PenTest+ Exam

To enumerate password hashes using an SQL injection vulnerability, the penetration tester needs to extract specific columns from the database that typically contain password hashes. The --dump command in sqlmap is used to dump the contents of the specified database table. Here’s a breakdown of the options:

Option A: sqlmap -u --search -T user

The --search option is used to search for columns and not to dump data. This would not enumerate password hashes.

Option B: sqlmap -u --dump -D accounts -T users -C cred

This command uses --dump to extract data from the specified database accounts, table users, and column cred. This is the correct option to enumerate password hashes, assuming cred is the column containing the password hashes.

Option C: sqlmap -u --tables -D accounts

The --tables option lists all tables in the specified database but does not extract data.

Option D: sqlmap -u --schema --current-user --current-db

The --schema option provides the database schema information, and --current-user and --current-db provide information about the current user and database but do not dump data.

References from Pentest:

Writeup HTB: Demonstrates using sqlmap to dump data from specific tables to retrieve sensitive information, including password hashes​​.

Luke HTB: Shows the process of exploiting SQL injection to extract user credentials and hashes by dumping specific columns from the database​​.

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The environment contains no Windows hosts (so Windows-specific credential-capture tools like Responder are ineffective). The tester needs credentials on non-Windows servers (likely SSH). The SOC only monitors endpoints (not servers), meaning aggressive credential guessing against servers may go unnoticed. hydra is a parallelized remote-auth brute-force tool that targets services such as SSH and can iterate a username list (-L) and password list (-P) across multiple targets (-M). This makes option D the most direct tool to attempt credential discovery on non-Windows hosts (SSH brute-force).

Why not the others:

A: pwinspector is Windows-focused/unknown in this context.

B: responder targets LLMNR/NetBIOS broadcasts on Windows networks — not applicable.

C: nmap will enumerate services (helpful), but it does not obtain credentials.

PT0-003 mapping: Domain 3 — post-compromise credential discovery and use of appropriate tools given OS/service mix.

Port 445 is used for SMB (Server Message Block) services, which are commonly targeted for hash-based relay attacks like NTLM relay attacks.

Understanding Hash-Based Relays:

NTLM Relay Attack: An attacker intercepts and relays NTLM authentication requests to another service, effectively performing authentication on behalf of the victim.

SMB Protocol: Port 445 is used for SMB/CIFS traffic, which supports NTLM authentication.

Prioritizing Port 445:

Vulnerability: SMB is often targeted because it frequently supports NTLM authentication, making it susceptible to relay attacks.

Tools: Tools like Responder and NTLMRelayX are commonly used to capture and relay NTLM hashes over SMB.

Execution:

Capture Hash: Use a tool like Responder to capture NTLM hashes.

Relay Hash: Use a tool like NTLMRelayX to relay the captured hash to another service on port 445.

References from Pentesting Literature:

Penetration testing guides frequently discuss targeting SMB (port 445) for hash-based relay attacks.

HTB write-ups often include examples of NTLM relay attacks using port 445.

Step-by-Step ExplanationReferences:

Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking

HTB Official Writeups

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Lock picking techniques are used in physical security assessments to test access control mechanisms.

Raking (Option D):

Raking is a lock-picking technique where a rake pick is inserted and rapidly moved in and out to manipulate multiple pins simultaneously.

It is faster but less precise than single-pin picking.

Used when speed is prioritized over precision.