CHFI Mobile and Malware Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A forensic examiner uses Oxygen Forensic Detective to acquire data from an Android device. The tool reports that it performed a 'full file system' extraction. Which of the following is a prerequisite for this type of extraction?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The device must be rooted
A full file system extraction in Oxygen Forensic Detective requires root access on the Android device because the tool must bypass the Linux kernel's permission model to read protected partitions (e.g., /data, /cache). Without root privileges, the extraction is limited to the logical or file-based scope, as the Android security model restricts user-space processes from accessing raw block devices or system files owned by root.
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.
✗
The bootloader must be unlocked
Why it's wrong here
Unlocking bootloader is often needed for custom recovery, but Oxygen can perform file system extraction via ADB with root.
✓
The device must be rooted
Why this is correct
Root access is necessary to read the full file system, including app data and system partitions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The device must be in recovery mode
Why it's wrong here
Recovery mode is not typically used by Oxygen for file system extraction; it uses ADB or custom protocols.
✗
USB debugging must be enabled
Why it's wrong here
USB debugging is needed for ADB, but file system extraction via Oxygen often requires root.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that USB debugging alone enables full file system extraction, but in reality, USB debugging only provides ADB shell access with limited (shell) user privileges, not the root-level access required for raw partition imaging.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a full file system extraction uses the `dd` command or similar block-level imaging to read raw partitions like `mmcblk0pXX`. Root access is required because these block devices are owned by root and have permissions `0600`; without root, the `open()` syscall returns EACCES. In practice, even with root, Android's dm-verity and SELinux enforcing mode may block reads from certain partitions, so examiners often need to disable verity or set SELinux to permissive, which itself requires root.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Mobile and Malware Forensics — This question tests Mobile and Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The device must be rooted — A full file system extraction in Oxygen Forensic Detective requires root access on the Android device because the tool must bypass the Linux kernel's permission model to read protected partitions (e.g., /data, /cache). Without root privileges, the extraction is limited to the logical or file-based scope, as the Android security model restricts user-space processes from accessing raw block devices or system files owned by root.
What should I do if I get this CHFI 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.
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Question Discussion
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