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 dynamic analysis of a malware sample, an analyst observes the following: creation of a mutex named `Global\{9A2D7E1C-3F4B-4A5E-9B8C-1D2E3F4A5B6C}`, a registry key under `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run` named `WindowsUpdate`, and outbound TCP traffic to `203.0.113.5:443`. Which THREE of the following indicators of compromise (IoCs) should be documented?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Outbound TCP to `203.0.113.5:443`
Option A is correct because outbound TCP traffic to a specific IP address and port (203.0.113.5:443) is a classic network-based indicator of compromise (IoC). During dynamic analysis, this demonstrates the malware's command-and-control (C2) communication, often using HTTPS over port 443 to blend with legitimate traffic. Documenting this IoC allows defenders to block the endpoint and detect similar infections via network monitoring.
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.
✓
Outbound TCP to `203.0.113.5:443`
Why this is correct
C2 communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SHA256 hash of the malware sample
Why it's wrong here
Hash is also an IoC, but not mentioned in the scenario; the question asks for THREE from the observed behaviors.
✓
Mutex name `Global\{9A2D7E1C-3F4B-4A5E-9B8C-1D2E3F4A5B6C}`
Why this is correct
Unique mutex is a common IoC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
File path `C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe`
Why it's wrong here
System file, not specific to malware.
✓
Registry key `HKCU\...\Run\WindowsUpdate`
Why this is correct
Persistence mechanism.
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 static IoCs (like file hashes) and dynamic IoCs (like network traffic, mutex names, and registry modifications) to see if candidates understand that dynamic analysis focuses on behavioral artifacts, not file-level attributes.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Hash is also an IoC, but not mentioned in the scenario; the question asks for THREE from the observed behaviors.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, mutexes like `Global\{9A2D7E1C-3F4B-4A5E-9B8C-1D2E3F4A5B6C}` are used by malware to ensure only one instance runs, preventing multiple infections that could alert the user. The registry key under `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run` is a common persistence mechanism that loads the malware at user logon. In real-world scenarios, threat actors often use randomized GUIDs for mutex names to avoid signature-based detection, but the specific GUID becomes a valuable IoC for threat intelligence sharing.
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: Outbound TCP to `203.0.113.5:443` — Option A is correct because outbound TCP traffic to a specific IP address and port (203.0.113.5:443) is a classic network-based indicator of compromise (IoC). During dynamic analysis, this demonstrates the malware's command-and-control (C2) communication, often using HTTPS over port 443 to blend with legitimate traffic. Documenting this IoC allows defenders to block the endpoint and detect similar infections via network monitoring.
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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