A penetration tester is conducting an assessment of a web application's login page. The tester needs to determine whether there are any hidden form fields of interest. Which of the following is the most effective technique?
Correct Answer: D
Hidden form fields in web applications can store user roles, session tokens, and security parameters that attackers may exploit.
HTML scraping (Option D):
Involves analyzing HTML source code to find hidden fields like:
<input type="hidden" name="admin_access" value="true">
Attackers use tools like Burp Suite, ZAP, or browser developer tools (Ctrl+U or Inspect Element) to locate hidden fields.
Reference: CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-003 Official Study Guide - "Web Application Testing and Form Field Analysis" Incorrect options:
Option A (XSS): Exploits JavaScript injection, not for finding hidden fields.
Option B (On-path attack): Involves MITM interception, not directly analyzing form fields.
Option C (SQL injection): Targets databases, not HTML forms