CHFI Mobile and Malware Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. 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.
A security analyst detects that a known malware sample writes to the registry key 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\<malware>\ImagePath' and creates a service. This behavior is characteristic of which type of persistence mechanism?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Windows service
The malware writes to 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\<malware>\ImagePath' and creates a service, which is the exact mechanism for registering a Windows service. This persistence method ensures the malware runs automatically when the system boots, as the Service Control Manager (SCM) loads services based on this registry key. Option D is correct because this behavior directly corresponds to the Windows service persistence technique.
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.
✗
Scheduled task
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled tasks use schtasks, not services registry key.
✗
AppInit_DLLs
Why it's wrong here
AppInit_DLLs is a different mechanism for loading DLLs into processes, not services.
✗
Startup folder entry
Why it's wrong here
Startup folder is for user-level auto-start; service is system-level.
✓
Windows service
Why this is correct
The registry path under Services indicates the malware is installed as a service, which runs automatically at boot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between registry-based persistence mechanisms; the trap here is that candidates confuse the 'Services' registry key with other common persistence locations like 'Run' keys or 'AppInit_DLLs', but the specific 'ImagePath' value under a service subkey uniquely identifies Windows service persistence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the ImagePath value in a service's registry key points to the executable that the SCM launches; malware often sets this to a malicious binary. A subtle behavior is that services can be configured to run as SYSTEM (via the 'LocalSystem' account in the 'ObjectName' value), granting high privileges. In a real-world scenario, malware like the 'Stuxnet' worm used a rogue service with a disguised ImagePath to achieve persistence and escalate privileges on Windows systems.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: Windows service — The malware writes to 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\<malware>\ImagePath' and creates a service, which is the exact mechanism for registering a Windows service. This persistence method ensures the malware runs automatically when the system boots, as the Service Control Manager (SCM) loads services based on this registry key. Option D is correct because this behavior directly corresponds to the Windows service persistence technique.
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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