Actions Part of Static Malware Analysis
An ethical hacker is analyzing a suspicious file using static analysis. Which of the following actions is part of static malware analysis?
Quick Answer
The answer is examining the file's strings and metadata without executing it. This is correct because static malware analysis is defined by the principle of non-execution; it involves inspecting the binary’s embedded strings, file headers, hashes, and other metadata to identify indicators of compromise without running the code. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between static and dynamic analysis phases, and a common trap is confusing static analysis with behavioral analysis performed in a sandbox. A reliable memory tip is to associate “static” with “still” or “stopped”—you never let the file run, you only read its frozen contents.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'static analysis' with 'dynamic analysis' or 'online scanning,' leading them to select options that involve execution (A, D) or third-party aggregation (B) instead of direct file inspection without execution.
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
✓
Examining the file's strings and metadata without executing it
Static malware analysis involves examining the file without executing it. Option C is correct because analyzing strings and metadata (e.g., file headers, embedded URLs, IP addresses, or suspicious function calls) is a core static analysis technique, often performed using tools like `strings`, `binwalk`, or `PEview`. This approach avoids the risks of execution and helps identify indicators of compromise (IOCs) before dynamic analysis.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Running the file in a sandboxed environment and monitoring its behavior
Why it's wrong here
Sandbox execution observes runtime behaviour, which is dynamic analysis; static analysis examines the file's code and structure without executing it. It is tempting because sandboxing is a standard malware triage technique, and it would be the right choice when the question asks how to observe a sample's actions safely.
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Uploading the file to VirusTotal for scanning
Why it's wrong here
VirusTotal runs the sample through engines and sandboxes, so it performs dynamic and signature-based execution rather than static inspection of the file's code and structure. It is tempting because VirusTotal is a common first triage step, and it would be correct when you need multi-engine detection results for a suspicious file.
- ✓
Examining the file's strings and metadata without executing it
Why this is correct
Static analysis inspects the file's bytes, embedded strings, headers and metadata without running it, so malicious behaviour cannot trigger on the analyst's host. This contrasts with dynamic analysis, which executes the sample in a sandbox and observes its runtime actions.
- ✗
Using Wireshark to capture packets sent by the file
Why it's wrong here
Capturing network traffic records runtime behaviour, which is dynamic analysis; static analysis inspects the file's bytes, headers and strings without running it. It is tempting because Wireshark is a core tool for observing command-and-control traffic, and it would be correct when analysing a live infection's network activity.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CEH
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. Which TWO of the following are examples of static malware analysis techniques? (Select two.)
medium- A.Running the malware in a sandbox
- B.Capturing network traffic during execution
- C.Monitoring process behavior with Process Monitor
- ✓ D.Checking file hash on VirusTotal
- ✓ E.Examining strings in the binary
Why D: Option D is correct because checking a file hash on VirusTotal is a static technique: you compute a cryptographic hash (e.g., MD5/SHA-256) of the sample and look it up in a database without ever executing the code. Option E is correct because examining strings in the binary uses tools like strings or a disassembler to extract embedded ASCII/Unicode text and other artifacts from the file on disk, again without running it. Both D and E analyze the malware's static properties (hash values, embedded strings) rather than its runtime behavior. In contrast, A (sandbox execution), B (capturing network traffic during execution), and C (monitoring process behavior with Process Monitor) all require the malware to run, making them dynamic analysis techniques, not static ones.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.