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?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming any cmd.exe in memory is benign user activity; candidates must recognize that the parent process (winlogon.exe) is the anomaly, not the mere presence of cmd.exe.
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.
In a normal Windows session, winlogon.exe spawns userinit.exe (which then launches explorer.exe) — it should never spawn cmd.exe. A cmd.exe child of winlogon.exe is a classic indicator of the Sticky Keys (sethc.exe) or Utilman accessibility-feature backdoor, where an attacker replaces the binary with cmd.exe so that pressing Shift five times at the logon screen yields a SYSTEM-level shell. This persistence technique survives reboots and is frequently observed in memory forensics via pstree output.
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 and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.