Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A SOC analyst reviews an alert on a workstation where PowerShell launched from a scheduled task, downloaded an encoded command from a remote server, and then spawned rundll32.exe. Traditional antivirus did not flag any files on disk, and the activity stops after rebooting the host. Which type of malware behavior best fits this event?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Worm behavior that is spreading through SMB shares
Worms are typically self-replicating and spread to other systems, which is not the primary pattern here.
B
Best answer
Fileless attack using trusted system tools to run malicious code in memory
This matches a fileless attack because the malicious activity relies on built-in tools like PowerShell and rundll32 rather than an obvious executable on disk. The alert shows code being fetched and executed from memory, which often evades traditional file-based antivirus detection. The fact that the behavior disappears after reboot further supports a memory-resident, fileless technique.
C
Distractor review
Rootkit that is hiding itself by modifying kernel drivers
Rootkits focus on stealth and hiding persistence, often through kernel-level tampering, which is not clearly shown here.
D
Distractor review
Trojan that can only run after a user manually opens a malicious attachment
Trojans commonly disguise themselves as legitimate software, but this scenario highlights script-based, living-off-the-land execution instead.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Fileless attack using trusted system tools to run malicious code in memory — The best answer is fileless attack. The key clues are that PowerShell launched from a scheduled task, downloaded encoded content, and then used rundll32.exe, all while antivirus found no malicious file on disk. Fileless threats often abuse legitimate utilities to run code in memory and reduce the chance of signature detection. The reboot clearing the behavior also points away from a classic persistent executable and toward memory-based execution or a transient script chain. Why others are wrong: A worm would emphasize autonomous spread to other systems, usually across network shares or exploit chains. A rootkit is designed for deep stealth and persistence by hiding processes or altering system components, which is not the main evidence here. A trojan is a broad malware category, but the scenario specifically highlights a diskless, tool-abusing execution pattern rather than disguised installer malware.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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