Question 825 of 1,013
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
A user opens an attached document, and the endpoint security tool shows PowerShell running from memory with no new executable file written to disk. What type of attack is most likely?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse 'fileless' with 'no malware at all' or think that any attack using PowerShell must be a script-based attack, but the key indicator is the lack of a new executable file on disk, which distinguishes fileless attacks from traditional malware that writes files.
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
✓
Fileless attack
The scenario describes PowerShell running from memory without a new executable file written to disk, which is the hallmark of a fileless attack. Fileless attacks leverage legitimate system tools like PowerShell, WMI, or .NET to execute malicious code directly in memory, bypassing traditional file-based detection mechanisms.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Fileless attack
Why this is correct
This scenario is a classic fileless attack, where the malicious payload is delivered through a document macro or script and then executed in memory using built-in Windows utilities like PowerShell, WMI, or .NET. The attack never writes a separate executable to disk, which is why signature-based antivirus scanning files may miss it. The endpoint security tool likely detected anomalous behavioral indicators, such as an Office application spawning PowerShell or executing suspicious memory-only commands, alerting the user immediately upon opening the document.
- ✗
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware's primary symptom is the encryption of user data followed by a ransom demand, typically accompanied by visible changes like new file extensions or ransom notes. The scenario does not describe encryption, a ransom demand, or any impact on stored files—instead, the focus is on the execution method and the security tool's alert. Ransomware also generally requires a malicious binary or dropper to be written to disk, whereas the described attack operates without creating a persistent malicious file.
- ✗
Rootkit
Why it's wrong here
A rootkit is specifically designed to hide its own presence and maintain privileged access by modifying the operating system kernel, intercepting system calls, or overwriting system components. Its defining characteristic is deep concealment and long-term persistence, not the method of initial execution. In contrast, the scenario's clue is memory-only execution triggered by opening a document, which points to a fileless technique rather than a pre-installed stealth mechanism that manipulates the OS to avoid detection.
- ✗
Logic bomb
Why it's wrong here
A logic bomb is a piece of malicious code that remains dormant inside a legitimate program until a specific condition, such as a date, time, or user action, triggers it. While opening the attached document could serve as the trigger, the scenario's key detail is the execution technique—running code directly in memory rather than relying on a pre-installed, file-resident bomb. Logic bombs are also typically an insider-planted or pre-inserted payload that detonates later, not a payload that arrives via a document and runs immediately.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A finance laptop is opened to review an invoice attachment. EDR then shows winword.exe launching powershell.exe with hidden, no-profile, and base64-encoded arguments. No executable is written to disk, network beacons begin from memory, and after a reboot the activity disappears unless the document is opened again. What type of malware behavior is most likely?
hard- A.Worm behavior, because the infection would self-replicate across systems through the network.
- ✓ B.Fileless attack, because malicious code runs in memory and leaves little or no executable artifact on disk.
- C.Rootkit behavior, because the malware is hidden from normal user-mode tools.
- D.Ransomware, because the user opened an invoice attachment before the suspicious activity started.
Why B: The scenario describes malicious code that executes entirely in memory without writing an executable to disk, which is the defining characteristic of a fileless attack. Winword.exe launching PowerShell with hidden, no-profile, and base64-encoded arguments is a classic technique to load and execute payloads directly in memory, bypassing traditional file-based detection. The fact that activity disappears after reboot unless the document is reopened confirms that no persistent artifact remains on disk, further supporting fileless behavior.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.