200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst is analyzing a suspicious executable file. Using the 'file' command, it returns 'data' instead of 'PE32 executable'. What is the most likely reason?
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 file has been packed or encrypted to hide its true nature.
The 'data' result indicates the file's magic bytes do not match known executables, suggesting it might be packed or obfuscated.
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 system is missing the file command database.
Why it's wrong here
A missing or outdated magic database causes 'file' to report 'cannot open' or fall back to generic text, not a confident 'data' verdict on a binary. It is tempting because database issues do cause misidentification, and this would be correct if 'file' errored on every input rather than classifying this one file.
- ✗
The file is a legitimate PE file with a different extension.
Why it's wrong here
A genuine PE file retains its MZ/PE header regardless of extension, so 'file' would still report PE32; the extension does not alter magic-byte detection. It is tempting because renamed executables are common in malware analysis, and this would be correct if 'file' identified by extension rather than content signatures.
- ✗
The file is actually a script written in Python.
Why it's wrong here
A Python script is plain text, so 'file' would report ASCII text or a script, not 'data'. It is tempting because scripts are frequently used as droppers, and this would be the correct answer if the file lacked a shebang and contained non-printable bytes, but 'data' specifically indicates unrecognised binary content.
- ✓
The file has been packed or encrypted to hide its true nature.
Why this is correct
Packing or encrypting compresses and obfuscates the executable, so the PE header signature is no longer readable and 'file' reports generic 'data' rather than PE32 executable. This hides the file's true nature from static inspection.
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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.