Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What is a significant risk associated with using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 1?

1. Transfer of data in cleartext

2. Use of complex security measures

3. High bandwidth consumption

4. Limitation to local network use only

The correct answer is: Transfer of data in cleartext

The significant risk associated with using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 1 is the transfer of data in cleartext. This means that the information exchanged between the SNMP manager and the devices being monitored or managed is not encrypted. As a result, sensitive data, including community strings (which act like passwords), can be intercepted by anyone with access to the same network. This poses a considerable security risk, as unauthorized users can easily capture and exploit this data, leading to potential breaches and unauthorized access to network devices. In contrast, the other options present challenges that either do not pertain directly to SNMP version 1 or are not significant risks by nature. The use of complex security measures is not a characteristic of SNMP v1; rather, it is known for its simplicity and lack of robust security features. Additionally, while high bandwidth consumption can be a concern for various network protocols, SNMP v1 does not inherently lead to excessive bandwidth usage. Lastly, the limitation to local network use does not apply to SNMP v1, as it can be utilized over the internet or wide area networks, further emphasizing the risk associated with its lack of encryption.