The answer is volatility -f memory.dmp pslist and volatility -f memory.dmp netscan. These two commands are the most useful because pslist enumerates all active processes by walking the kernel’s process list, directly revealing the suspicious process name and PID, while netscan scans the memory dump for TCP and UDP endpoints, exposing the outbound connections to the malicious IP address. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Volatility’s core plugins for live memory forensics, often appearing in questions about identifying malware artifacts without relying on the file system. A common trap is choosing connections instead of netscan, but netscan is the correct plugin for network sockets in Windows memory dumps. Remember the mnemonic: “Processes and packets—pslist and netscan get the facts.”
CEH Cryptography and Malware Analysis Practice Question
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of cryptography and malware analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An organization is investigating a potential malware infection. The security analyst observes unusual outbound connections to a known malicious IP address and finds a suspicious process running under a user's session. The analyst decides to perform memory analysis using Volatility. Which TWO commands would be most useful to identify the malicious process and its network connections?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
volatility -f memory.dmp netscan
The `netscan` plugin in Volatility scans the memory dump for network connections and sockets, including TCP and UDP endpoints, which directly reveals outbound connections to the malicious IP. The `pslist` plugin lists all running processes by walking the process list in the kernel, allowing the analyst to identify the suspicious process by name or PID. Together, these two commands provide the process identity and its network activity, which is exactly what the scenario requires.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
volatility -f memory.dmp netscan
Why this is correct
Shows network connections; confirms outbound to malicious IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
volatility -f memory.dmp pslist
Why this is correct
Lists all processes; essential to identify suspicious process.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
volatility -f memory.dmp procdump
Why it's wrong here
Dumps a process; useful after identification, not for initial detection.
✗
volatility -f memory.dmp svcscan
Why it's wrong here
Lists services; not directly relevant to process or network.
✗
volatility -f memory.dmp malfind
Why it's wrong here
Detects injected code, but not directly for network connections.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose `malfind` (option E) because it sounds malware-specific, but it does not list all processes or network connections, whereas `pslist` and `netscan` directly answer the question of identifying the process and its outbound connections.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `netscan` works by parsing the `_TCPT_OBJECT` and `_UDP_OBJECT` structures in the Windows kernel, as well as the TCP/IP stack's connection table, which includes both established and listening sockets. `pslist` uses the `PsActiveProcessHead` list to traverse `_EPROCESS` structures, which contain the process name, PID, parent PID, and start time. In a real-world incident, an analyst might first run `pslist` to spot an anomalous process (e.g., `svchost.exe` running from a user's temp folder) and then `netscan` to confirm it is beaconing to a known C2 IP, enabling rapid triage.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CEH exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Cryptography and Malware Analysis — This question tests Cryptography and Malware Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: volatility -f memory.dmp netscan — The `netscan` plugin in Volatility scans the memory dump for network connections and sockets, including TCP and UDP endpoints, which directly reveals outbound connections to the malicious IP. The `pslist` plugin lists all running processes by walking the process list in the kernel, allowing the analyst to identify the suspicious process by name or PID. Together, these two commands provide the process identity and its network activity, which is exactly what the scenario requires.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
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.
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.
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.