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LFCS · Question #189

Which of the following procedures will test the TLS configuration of your LDAP server?

The correct answer is A. Run the ldapsearch command with the -ZZ option, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer. To test an LDAP server's TLS configuration, execute ldapsearch with the -ZZ option to force a StartTLS negotiation and concurrently use a packet analyzer. This allows visual confirmation of the TLS handshake and the transition to encrypted communication.

Submitted by ahmad_uae· Apr 18, 2026Service Configuration

Question

Which of the following procedures will test the TLS configuration of your LDAP server?

Options

  • ARun the ldapsearch command with the -ZZ option, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer.
  • BRun the ldapsearch command with the -x option, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer.
  • CRun the slapcat command, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer.
  • DVerify the TLS negotiation process in the /var/log/ldap_auth.log file.
  • EVerify the TLS negotiation process in the /var/log/auth.log file.

How the community answered

(38 responses)
  • A
    74% (28)
  • B
    11% (4)
  • C
    8% (3)
  • D
    3% (1)
  • E
    5% (2)

Why each option

To test an LDAP server's TLS configuration, execute `ldapsearch` with the `-ZZ` option to force a StartTLS negotiation and concurrently use a packet analyzer. This allows visual confirmation of the TLS handshake and the transition to encrypted communication.

ARun the ldapsearch command with the -ZZ option, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer.Correct

The `ldapsearch -ZZ` option explicitly instructs the client to attempt a StartTLS extended operation, upgrading an insecure LDAP connection to a secure TLS/SSL encrypted one. By simultaneously capturing network traffic with a packet analyzer, you can directly observe the TLS handshake packets and confirm that the communication successfully transitions from plaintext to encrypted, verifying the server's TLS configuration.

BRun the ldapsearch command with the -x option, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer.

The `ldapsearch -x` option specifies simple authentication and does not inherently force TLS negotiation; without `-ZZ`, TLS might not be initiated if the server allows plaintext or other authentication methods.

CRun the slapcat command, while watching network traffic with a packet analyzer.

The `slapcat` command dumps the local LDAP database to an LDIF file and does not involve network communication or TLS negotiation with a client, making it unsuitable for testing TLS configuration.

DVerify the TLS negotiation process in the /var/log/ldap_auth.log file.

`/var/log/ldap_auth.log` is not a standard log file for detailed TLS negotiation; `slapd` typically logs TLS events to the system's syslog (e.g., `/var/log/syslog` or `/var/log/messages`), not a specific `ldap_auth.log`.

EVerify the TLS negotiation process in the /var/log/auth.log file.

While `/var/log/auth.log` contains authentication-related messages, it generally does not provide the granular detail needed to confirm a successful TLS handshake and encryption, which is best observed via packet analysis.

Concept tested: LDAP TLS configuration testing

Source: https://linux.die.net/man/1/ldapsearch

Topics

#LDAP#TLS#Network Security#ldapsearch

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