200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
An analyst uses Volatility's pstree plugin on a memory dump. The output shows that process 'winlogon.exe' has a child process 'cmd.exe' that is not typical. What is the most likely explanation?
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
✓
An attacker may have used Sticky Keys or similar persistence.
winlogon.exe spawning cmd.exe is unusual and may indicate an attacker used Sticky Keys or similar accessibility feature abuse (sethc.exe) to gain a command prompt at the login screen. Normal winlogon does not launch cmd.exe as a child.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
An attacker may have used Sticky Keys or similar persistence.
Why this is correct
Sticky Keys (sethc.exe) can be replaced with cmd.exe to provide a command prompt at login.
- ✗
A user is running a command prompt remotely.
Why it's wrong here
Remote sessions typically involve different processes.
- ✗
A scheduled task is running.
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled tasks run under taskhost.exe or svchost.exe, not winlogon.
- ✗
The system is performing a normal update.
Why it's wrong here
Windows updates do not spawn cmd.exe from winlogon.
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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.