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100+ Free eCPPT Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: eCPPT Exam

30%

Active Directory Domain Weight

INE Security

5 machines

Target Hosts in Exam Lab

INE Security

24 hours

Practical Exam Window

INE Security

3 years

Certification Validity

INE Security

1 free

Retake Within 14 Days

INE Security

100%

Practical (No MCQ Component)

INE Security

The eCPPT v3 from INE Security is a practical penetration testing certification covering six domains: Active Directory Pentesting (30%), Exploitation & Post-Exploitation (25%), Initial Access (15%), Web App Pentesting (15%), Recon (10%), and Exploit Development (5%). The exam involves 5 target machines including an AD environment in a 24-hour lab. Results are auto-graded. One free retake within 14 days. Certification valid 3 years. This practice exam tests conceptual knowledge; actual eCPPT requires hands-on exploitation.

Sample eCPPT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your eCPPT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which nmap flag enables OS detection during a host discovery scan?
A.-O
B.-sC
C.-A
D.-sV
Explanation: -O enables OS detection by analyzing TCP/IP stack fingerprints. This is a key recon step in any penetration test to identify target operating systems and tailor exploitation approaches accordingly.
2Which nmap scan type sends SYN packets and never completes the TCP handshake, making it stealthier than a full connect scan?
A.nmap -sU
B.nmap -sF
C.nmap -sT
D.nmap -sS
Explanation: The SYN scan (-sS) sends a SYN packet and waits for SYN/ACK; it resets the connection before completing the handshake. This avoids full TCP connections and is less likely to be logged by applications, making it the default and most popular nmap scan type.
3During service enumeration with nmap, which flag runs default NSE scripts against discovered open ports?
A.-sV
B.--script=all
C.-sC
D.-p-
Explanation: -sC runs nmap's default script collection (equivalent to --script=default). These scripts perform service identification, banner grabbing, and common vulnerability checks, providing valuable recon data beyond basic port state detection.
4An attacker uses `rpcclient -U '' -N <IP>` against a Windows target. What is the purpose of this command?
A.Perform an LDAP query against Active Directory
B.Attempt null-session SMB enumeration via RPC
C.Brute-force the Administrator account password
D.Enumerate SNMP community strings
Explanation: rpcclient with an empty username (-U '') and no password (-N) attempts a null session, which on misconfigured Windows hosts allows unauthenticated enumeration of domain users, groups, shares, and policies via MS-RPC. This is a classic initial recon technique.
5Which tool is specifically designed to enumerate SMB shares, sessions, and users on Windows targets during reconnaissance?
A.enum4linux
B.gobuster
C.nikto
D.masscan
Explanation: enum4linux is a Linux-based tool that wraps smbclient and rpcclient to enumerate Windows SMB/CIFS information including users, groups, shares, password policy, and OS details. It is a staple tool for initial Windows target reconnaissance.
6Which tool is used to perform username enumeration against a Kerberos service to identify valid domain accounts without authentication?
A.ldapsearch
B.hydra
C.kerbrute
D.crackmapexec
Explanation: kerbrute uses the Kerberos pre-authentication mechanism to enumerate valid usernames. By sending AS-REQ packets, it can determine whether a username exists based on the KDC error response (KDC_ERR_C_PRINCIPAL_UNKNOWN vs other responses), without needing a password.
7During web application recon, a penetration tester runs `gobuster dir -u http://target.com -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt`. What is the primary purpose of this command?
A.Brute-force login credentials on the web application
B.Perform DNS subdomain enumeration
C.Discover hidden directories and files on the web server
D.Scan for open ports on the target IP
Explanation: gobuster in 'dir' mode performs directory and file brute-forcing by requesting paths from a wordlist against the target URL. This reveals hidden endpoints, admin panels, configuration files, and backup directories not linked from the application.
8A tester discovers a host running an outdated CMS. Which tool is purpose-built to enumerate WordPress plugins, themes, and user accounts?
A.sqlmap
B.dirbuster
C.nikto
D.wpscan
Explanation: wpscan is a WordPress-specific security scanner that enumerates installed plugins, themes, users, and known vulnerabilities in the WordPress core and its components. It supports authenticated scanning and API integration for CVE data, making it the standard tool for WordPress recon.
9Which nmap script category is most useful for enumerating SMB shares, sessions, and vulnerabilities on Windows hosts?
A.--script=http-*
B.--script=smb-*
C.--script=ftp-*
D.--script=ssh-*
Explanation: The smb-* NSE script category includes scripts like smb-enum-shares, smb-enum-users, smb-vuln-ms17-010 (EternalBlue), and smb-os-discovery. These scripts provide comprehensive SMB enumeration and vulnerability detection against Windows targets.
10A penetration tester executes `smbclient -L //192.168.1.10 -N`. What does this command accomplish?
A.Authenticates to SMB with a null password and lists available shares
B.Downloads all files from the default SMB share
C.Brute-forces SMB credentials using a wordlist
D.Enables SMB signing on the target host
Explanation: smbclient -L lists shares on the target host, and -N suppresses the password prompt, attempting a null authentication. This allows unauthenticated enumeration of available SMB shares on misconfigured targets, a key initial access recon step.

About the eCPPT Exam

The eCPPT (Certified Professional Penetration Tester) v3 is a 100% practical hands-on certification from INE Security validating real-world penetration testing skills. Unlike multiple-choice exams, eCPPT requires compromising 5 target machines including an Active Directory environment within a 24-hour window. This practice test covers the theoretical knowledge: Kerberos attacks, web vulnerabilities, exploitation techniques, privilege escalation, and post-exploitation methodology.

Assessment

Performance-based assessment

Time Limit

24-hour practical lab

Passing Score

Auto-graded objectives (threshold not published)

Exam Fee

INE Premium + voucher (see INE for pricing) (INE Security)

eCPPT Exam Content Outline

30%

Active Directory Penetration Testing

BloodHound, PowerView, Kerberoasting, AS-REP Roasting, Pass-the-Hash, Pass-the-Ticket, DCSync, Impacket tools, and domain compromise techniques

25%

Exploitation & Post-Exploitation

Metasploit framework, Meterpreter, Linux and Windows privilege escalation, Mimikatz credential dumping, SUID abuse, sudo exploitation, and persistence

15%

Initial Access

Username enumeration, password spraying, brute-forcing, EternalBlue exploitation, msfvenom payload generation, and reverse shell techniques

15%

Web Application Penetration Testing

SQL injection, sqlmap, XSS, LFI/RFI, command injection, IDOR, SSRF, file upload vulnerabilities, and Burp Suite methodology

10%

Information Gathering & Reconnaissance

nmap scanning, SMB enumeration, enum4linux, gobuster, wpscan, nikto, and service version detection

5%

Exploit Development

Stack-based buffer overflow: fuzzing, EIP offset finding, bad character identification, NOP sleds, JMP ESP gadgets, and msfvenom shellcode generation

How to Pass the eCPPT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Auto-graded objectives (threshold not published)
  • Assessment: Performance-based assessment
  • Time limit: 24-hour practical lab
  • Exam fee: INE Premium + voucher (see INE for pricing)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

eCPPT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Active Directory attack chains — at 30% of the exam, AD is the most critical domain
2Practice BloodHound enumeration thoroughly — understand attack path edges (AdminTo, MemberOf, HasSession, WriteDACL)
3Know the difference between Kerberoasting (SPN accounts, TGS tickets, hashcat mode 13100) and AS-REP Roasting (pre-auth disabled, mode 18200)
4Build Impacket muscle memory: GetNPUsers.py, GetUserSPNs.py, secretsdump.py, psexec.py, wmiexec.py
5Learn both Windows and Linux privilege escalation paths — SUID/sudo abuse on Linux, unquoted paths/service permissions on Windows
6Practice SQL injection manually before relying on sqlmap — understand UNION, error-based, and blind injection
7Get comfortable with Burp Suite Repeater and Intruder for web application testing
8Understand Pass-the-Hash vs Pass-the-Ticket vs AS-REP Roasting vs Kerberoasting — they are frequently confused
9Note that pivoting is NOT in the eCPPT v3 — do not spend time on Chisel/ProxyChains for this exam
10Take organized notes during practice: maintain a credentials table, host inventory, and per-machine findings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eCPPT v3 exam format?

The eCPPT v3 is a 100% practical hands-on exam. You receive access to a lab environment containing 5 target machines, including an Active Directory setup, and must compromise them within a 24-hour window. The exam is auto-graded against practical objectives, and results are delivered within a few hours of completion. There is no written or multiple-choice component.

What are the main domains tested in eCPPT v3?

The eCPPT v3 covers six domains: Active Directory Pentesting (30%) — including Kerberoasting, AS-REP Roasting, BloodHound, and Pass-the-Hash; Exploitation & Post-Exploitation (25%) — Metasploit, privilege escalation, Mimikatz; Initial Access (15%); Web App Pentesting (15%) — SQLi, XSS, LFI; Information Gathering & Recon (10%); and Exploit Development (5%).

Does the eCPPT v3 exam include pivoting?

No — pivoting was removed in the eCPPT v3 redesign. Unlike the v2, the v3 exam no longer requires network pivoting between segments. Focus your preparation on Active Directory attacks, web application vulnerabilities, and standard exploitation techniques instead.

What tools are tested in the eCPPT v3?

Key tools include: nmap, enum4linux, smbclient for recon; hydra, crackmapexec, kerbrute for initial access; Metasploit/msfvenom, Mimikatz for exploitation; sqlmap, Burp Suite, gobuster, wpscan for web app testing; and BloodHound/bloodhound-python, PowerView, Impacket (GetNPUsers.py, GetUserSPNs.py, secretsdump.py, psexec.py), Rubeus, evil-winrm for Active Directory attacks.

How should I prepare for the eCPPT v3?

Complete INE Security's Penetration Testing Professional (PTP) course, though many candidates supplement with HTB Academy's Active Directory module and retired HackTheBox machines. Focus heavily on Active Directory attacks (30% of the exam), practice BloodHound analysis, Kerberoasting, AS-REP Roasting, and Pass-the-Hash. Build strong Metasploit proficiency and practice web application testing with Burp Suite and sqlmap.

Is this practice exam like the real eCPPT?

No — this is a theoretical multiple-choice practice exam covering the knowledge base behind eCPPT topics. The real eCPPT requires hands-on exploitation of live systems in a lab environment. Use this practice exam to test your conceptual understanding of tools, techniques, and methodology before moving to hands-on lab practice.