CAS-004 Security Operations Practice Question
A security team is analyzing a suspicious binary using static analysis. They run the strings command and observe references to 'CreateRemoteThread' and 'WriteProcessMemory'. Which technique is the binary likely employing?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAS-005 often tests the identification of techniques based on API calls, and candidates may confuse process injection with DLL sideloading or reflective loading, especially if they are not familiar with the specific API combinations.
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
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Process injection
The presence of 'CreateRemoteThread' and 'WriteProcessMemory' in the strings output strongly indicates process injection. These Windows API functions are commonly used together to inject code into another process: WriteProcessMemory writes the malicious code into the target process's memory, and CreateRemoteThread executes it.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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DLL sideloading
Why it's wrong here
DLL sideloading hijacks a legitimate executable's import table to load a malicious DLL from its search path; it involves no cross-process memory writes. The strings instead point to remote process injection. Sideloading would be the answer if the binary abused a trusted application's DLL search order rather than calling WriteProcessMemory.
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Reflective DLL loading
Why it's wrong here
Reflective DLL loading maps a DLL into memory via its own loader, avoiding LoadLibrary and the Windows loader; CreateRemoteThread and WriteProcessMemory are the classic remote-injection primitives. Reflective loading would fit if the binary contained a self-loading PE image rather than writing into a separate target process.
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Process injection
Why this is correct
CreateRemoteThread and WriteProcessMemory are the canonical Windows API pair for injecting code into another process's address space. Their presence in the import table indicates the binary writes a payload into a remote process and starts it via a new thread, which is process injection.
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API hooking
Why it's wrong here
API hooking intercepts and redirects calls within a process, typically via inline patches or IAT modification; it does not itself require CreateRemoteThread or WriteProcessMemory. Those imports indicate injecting code into another process. Hooking would be correct if the binary redirected existing function calls to capture or alter behaviour.
About these practice questions
One of 973 original CAS-005 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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 CompTIA exam blueprint
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.