CS0-003 Security Operations Practice Question
During a threat hunt, an analyst queries osquery to find processes where the 'cmdline' contains ' -e ' and the parent process is not 'explorer.exe'. This query is designed to detect which technique?
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
✓
Malicious PowerShell execution
PowerShell with -e (encoded command) is often used for obfuscation; unusual parent processes suggest malicious execution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Malicious PowerShell execution
Why this is correct
Threat actors frequently utilize PowerShell to execute obfuscated payloads, often passing Base64-encoded scripts via the `-e` or `-EncodedCommand` flags to bypass legacy security controls. An osquery search targeting these specific command-line arguments, especially when spawned by unusual parent processes like web servers or office applications, is a classic method for detecting active malicious PowerShell execution.
- ✗
Lateral movement via PsExec
Why it's wrong here
While PsExec is a common administrative tool abused for lateral movement, its command-line syntax typically involves target IP addresses, user credentials, and the executable to run remotely (such as `-accepteula` or `-s`). It does not natively utilize the `-e` flag for script execution, meaning an osquery search focused on encoded PowerShell arguments would not directly flag standard PsExec activity.
- ✗
DLL injection via rundll32
Why it's wrong here
DLL injection or execution via `rundll32.exe` relies on invoking specific exported functions from a dynamic link library, using command-line patterns like `rundll32.exe dllname,exportname`. This mechanism does not leverage PowerShell's `-e` parameter for executing encoded scripts, making the query irrelevant for detecting standard rundll32-based execution techniques.
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Scheduled task creation
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled task creation and manipulation are typically managed via the `schtasks.exe` utility or through direct XML registration, which utilize flags like `/create`, `/tn`, and `/tr`. Although a scheduled task can be configured to run a PowerShell script, the creation event itself is characterized by these specific task-scheduling parameters rather than the execution of encoded PowerShell commands.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CS0-004 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 CS0-004 exam.