200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
A forensic analyst uses Volatility on a memory dump and runs the 'malfind' plugin. The output shows a process with a VAD region that has PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE protection and contains the pattern 'MZ'. What does this indicate?
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
✓
The process has been infected with code injection, likely a PE executable mapped in memory.
PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE protection combined with 'MZ' header suggests code injection, where a malicious executable has been written into the process memory.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The process has been infected with code injection, likely a PE executable mapped in memory.
Why this is correct
A PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE VAD containing 'MZ' reveals a PE header mapped into memory, the signature of injected executable code. Legitimate modules are not both writable and executable, so this satisfies the stem's request to interpret the malfind output.
- ✗
The process is using a packed executable that was unpacked in memory.
Why it's wrong here
Packed executables normally unpack into private committed regions, and malfind's RWX plus MZ signature indicates injected code rather than self-unpacking. It is tempting because packers do create executable memory, but the MZ header here marks a separately mapped image.
- ✗
The process has a heap spray attack, but not necessarily injected code.
Why it's wrong here
Heap spray fills the heap with repeated shellcode patterns, usually NOP sleds or non-MZ bytes, and does not itself produce an MZ header in an RWX VAD. It is tempting because spraying also abuses writable memory, but malfind's MZ signature indicates an injected PE image.
- ✗
The process is a legitimate browser with dynamic code.
Why it's wrong here
Legitimate browsers use just-in-time compilation, but their executable regions lack an MZ header, which marks a mapped PE image. It is tempting because browsers do generate dynamic code, yet the RWX VAD containing MZ indicates injected code rather than normal JIT output.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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