CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
A security analyst is reviewing a malware sample in a sandbox environment. The analyst notes that the malware attempts to check for the presence of a debugger and modifies its behavior if one is detected. Additionally, the malware uses encrypted strings and resolves API calls dynamically. Which THREE analysis techniques would be most effective for understanding this malware's capabilities? (Select THREE.)
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
✓
Static analysis using a disassembler like IDA Pro to examine the code for anti-debugging and obfuscation techniques
Static analysis can reveal encrypted strings and dynamic API resolution. Dynamic analysis in a sandbox shows runtime behavior. Debugging or reverse engineering (e.g., using a disassembler) helps understand anti-debugging tricks. Memory analysis (e.g., with Volatility) can capture the malware in action.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Static analysis using a disassembler like IDA Pro to examine the code for anti-debugging and obfuscation techniques
Why this is correct
Static analysis is essential for understanding the code structure and identifying anti-debugging routines.
- ✗
Network analysis using Wireshark to capture packets from the sandbox
Why it's wrong here
While network analysis is useful, it may not reveal the malware's internal logic or anti-debugging.
- ✗
Hash analysis by submitting the malware to VirusTotal
Why it's wrong here
Hash analysis is passive and does not provide in-depth understanding of the malware's capabilities.
- ✓
Dynamic analysis in a sandbox to observe the malware's behavior after it detects a debugger
Why this is correct
Sandboxing shows the malware's behavior in a controlled environment, which is useful despite anti-debugging.
- ✓
Memory analysis using Volatility on the sandbox host to capture the malware's process memory
Why this is correct
Memory analysis can reveal runtime artifacts and deobfuscated strings that the malware uses.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.