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.
During a malware investigation, a forensic analyst observes that a suspicious process creates a mutex named 'Global\MyMutex' and writes to the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. What behavioral indicator does this represent?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Persistence mechanism to survive reboot
Writing to the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run is a classic persistence mechanism. This key is processed by the Windows Session Manager (smss.exe) and the Winlogon process at every user logon, causing the specified executable to launch automatically. Combined with the creation of a named mutex (Global\MyMutex) to prevent multiple instances, this behavior indicates the malware is ensuring it survives a system reboot and maintains a single running copy.
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.
✓
Persistence mechanism to survive reboot
Why this is correct
The Run registry key is a standard persistence location; malware adds itself to launch automatically at system startup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Encryption of sensitive data
Why it's wrong here
No encryption behavior is described; only mutex and registry persistence.
✗
Establishment of a C2 channel
Why it's wrong here
C2 involves network connections; no network activity is mentioned.
✗
Attempt to evade sandbox detection
Why it's wrong here
Mutex can be used for anti-analysis, but the registry key clearly indicates persistence.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between persistence mechanisms and other malware behaviors, so candidates mistakenly associate any registry write with C2 or evasion, when the specific Run key is explicitly designed for automatic startup after reboot.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Run' registry key is processed by the Windows shell (explorer.exe) via the Shell\(AutoRun\Command) and also by the Service Control Manager for services. Malware often uses a named mutex (e.g., 'Global\MyMutex') to ensure only one instance runs, which is a common anti-competition technique but also a forensic artifact that can be used to detect the malware family. In real-world investigations, analysts check for mutex names in memory dumps and correlate them with known malware signatures.
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 CHFI 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 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: Persistence mechanism to survive reboot — Writing to the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run is a classic persistence mechanism. This key is processed by the Windows Session Manager (smss.exe) and the Winlogon process at every user logon, causing the specified executable to launch automatically. Combined with the creation of a named mutex (Global\MyMutex) to prevent multiple instances, this behavior indicates the malware is ensuring it survives a system reboot and maintains a single running copy.
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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