200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst finds a registry modification under 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options'. What is the primary use of this registry key?
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
✓
To set a debugger that runs when the image is executed
Image File Execution Options (IFEO) allow setting debuggers for executables. Malware can abuse this for persistence or to inject code by setting a debugger that launches the malware when the legitimate executable is run.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To configure network firewall rules for the image
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules are not stored there.
- ✓
To set a debugger that runs when the image is executed
Why this is correct
Correct. IFEO is used for debugging and can be abused for persistence.
- ✗
To change the file extension association for the image
Why it's wrong here
File associations are in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
- ✗
To log all execution of the image to the Event Log
Why it's wrong here
Logging is not a native IFEO feature.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.