- A
Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to run a script that extracts memory using LiME.
SSM Run Command can execute memory capture tools like LiME securely on the instance.
- B
Use Amazon Inspector to collect memory dumps.
Why wrong: Inspector is for vulnerability assessment, not memory acquisition.
- C
Stop the instance and create an EBS snapshot for memory analysis.
Why wrong: EBS snapshots capture disk, not memory.
- D
Use the EC2 console to take a screenshot and capture memory from the hypervisor.
Why wrong: Screenshots do not capture memory, and hypervisor-level memory capture is not available through console.
Question 1,248 of 1,748
How to Capture a Memory Dump of a Linux EC2 Instance Using Systems Manager and LiME
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During an incident response, a security team needs to capture a memory dump of an Amazon EC2 instance running Linux. What is the recommended approach?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to run a script that extracts memory using LiME.
Option A is correct because AWS Systems Manager Run Command allows you to execute a script on a running EC2 instance without needing SSH access, and LiME (Linux Memory Extractor) is a trusted tool for capturing volatile memory. This approach preserves the memory state for forensic analysis while maintaining the instance's running state, which is critical for incident response.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to run a script that extracts memory using LiME.
Why this is correct
SSM Run Command can execute memory capture tools like LiME securely on the instance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Amazon Inspector to collect memory dumps.
Why it's wrong here
Inspector is for vulnerability assessment, not memory acquisition.
- ✗
Stop the instance and create an EBS snapshot for memory analysis.
Why it's wrong here
EBS snapshots capture disk, not memory.
- ✗
Use the EC2 console to take a screenshot and capture memory from the hypervisor.
Why it's wrong here
Screenshots do not capture memory, and hypervisor-level memory capture is not available through console.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse memory capture with disk capture, assuming an EBS snapshot or Inspector can retrieve volatile data, when in fact only a tool like LiME executed on the running instance can capture RAM.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LiME works by loading a kernel module that dumps memory to a specified location (e.g., an EBS volume or S3), and it can be compiled on the target instance or pre-built for the kernel version. AWS Systems Manager Run Command uses the SSM Agent to execute scripts with IAM permissions, enabling secure, auditable remote execution without opening SSH ports. In a real incident, you would also isolate the instance by modifying security groups or using a NACL to prevent memory corruption from ongoing malicious activity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to run a script that extracts memory using LiME. — Option A is correct because AWS Systems Manager Run Command allows you to execute a script on a running EC2 instance without needing SSH access, and LiME (Linux Memory Extractor) is a trusted tool for capturing volatile memory. This approach preserves the memory state for forensic analysis while maintaining the instance's running state, which is critical for incident response.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on SCS-C02
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During an incident response, a security engineer needs to capture a memory image of a compromised Amazon EC2 instance running Linux. The instance is in a production Auto Scaling group. Which approach is BEST?
hard- A.Use AWS CloudFormation to create a new stack with a forensic instance and copy the compromised instance's data.
- B.Terminate the instance immediately to prevent further damage and launch a replacement.
- ✓ C.Detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group, isolate it by changing security groups, and use AWS Systems Manager Run Command to execute a memory acquisition tool.
- D.Take a snapshot of the EBS volumes and attach them to a forensic instance to analyze memory.
Why C: Option C is correct because it preserves the volatile memory evidence by detaching the instance from the Auto Scaling group (preventing replacement) and isolating it via security group changes, then using AWS Systems Manager Run Command to execute a memory acquisition tool like LiME or AVML. This approach captures the memory image without shutting down the instance, which would destroy the evidence, and avoids the risk of the Auto Scaling group automatically terminating or replacing the instance during the investigation.
Variation 2. During a security incident, a forensic investigator needs to capture the memory of a running EC2 instance without shutting it down. Which AWS feature should be used?
medium- A.Amazon CloudWatch agent
- ✓ B.EC2 Rescue for Linux or Systems Manager Run Command with a memory dump script
- C.AWS CloudTrail
- D.Amazon EBS snapshot
Why B: Option B is correct because EC2 Rescue for Linux (via Systems Manager Run Command) includes a built-in script that can capture a full memory dump from a running EC2 instance without requiring a shutdown. This is essential for forensic analysis to preserve volatile data like running processes, network connections, and kernel structures. The script leverages the Linux 'vmcore' or 'LiME' (Linux Memory Extractor) tool to safely extract memory contents while the instance remains operational.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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