The correct answer is that a macro in a Word document executed cmd.exe as part of the attack. This is because Sysmon Event ID 1 logs process creation, and when winword.exe—a document editor—spawns cmd.exe, it violates the expected parent-child relationship; Microsoft Word has no legitimate reason to launch a command-line interpreter. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret Sysmon logs for detecting macro-based attacks, a common technique in phishing campaigns where VBA macros run shell commands to download payloads or escalate privileges. A frequent trap is dismissing cmd.exe as normal system activity, but remember that any command shell spawned by an Office application is a red flag. Memory tip: “Word shouldn’t whisper to the shell”—if winword.exe talks to cmd.exe, it’s a macro attack.
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An analyst is reviewing Sysmon logs from a compromised host. They see Event ID 1 (Process creation) for cmd.exe with parent process winword.exe. What does this indicate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A macro in a Word document executed cmd.exe as part of the attack
Event ID 1 (Process creation) with parent process winword.exe spawning cmd.exe is a classic indicator of a macro-based attack. Microsoft Word is not designed to launch command-line interpreters under normal operation; when cmd.exe appears as a child of winword.exe, it strongly suggests that a malicious macro within the document executed a shell command, often to download payloads, escalate privileges, or perform reconnaissance. This aligns with common phishing and malware delivery techniques where attackers embed VBA macros to execute system commands.
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.
✗
The Windows Update service initiated cmd from Word
Why it's wrong here
Windows Update does not launch cmd from Word.
✗
The user launched cmd.exe manually from within Word using a shortcut
Why it's wrong here
Unlikely; cmd launched from Word is abnormal.
✗
Word crashed and created a dump file using cmd
Why it's wrong here
Crash dumps are not created by cmd.
✓
A macro in a Word document executed cmd.exe as part of the attack
Why this is correct
Common technique: macro calls cmd to download or execute payload.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between normal application behavior and process injection or parent-child anomalies; the trap here is assuming that any cmd.exe launch is benign or user-initiated, when the parent process (winword.exe) is the key indicator of macro-based compromise.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Sysmon Event ID 1 captures process creation with detailed parent-child relationships, which is critical for detecting lateral movement and code execution. In macro-based attacks, the VBA interpreter (within WINWORD.EXE) calls CreateProcess or Shell API functions, making winword.exe the direct parent of cmd.exe. This behavior is distinct from legitimate Word automation (e.g., DDE or OLE) where child processes might be other Office applications or script hosts like wscript.exe, but never cmd.exe under normal circumstances. Real-world examples include Emotet and Dridex campaigns where malicious macros invoke cmd.exe to execute PowerShell or BITSAdmin for payload delivery.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A macro in a Word document executed cmd.exe as part of the attack — Event ID 1 (Process creation) with parent process winword.exe spawning cmd.exe is a classic indicator of a macro-based attack. Microsoft Word is not designed to launch command-line interpreters under normal operation; when cmd.exe appears as a child of winword.exe, it strongly suggests that a malicious macro within the document executed a shell command, often to download payloads, escalate privileges, or perform reconnaissance. This aligns with common phishing and malware delivery techniques where attackers embed VBA macros to execute system commands.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 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.
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Question Discussion
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