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 uses Process Monitor to capture registry and file system activity. Which filter would be MOST effective in identifying attempts to create a persistence mechanism?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Filter for 'RegSetValue' events with path containing 'CurrentVersion\Run'
The 'CurrentVersion\Run' registry key is a standard persistence location where malware adds entries to execute automatically at user logon. Filtering for 'RegSetValue' events targeting this path directly captures the act of writing a new value to that key, which is a common persistence mechanism. Process Monitor's 'RegSetValue' operation specifically monitors registry value modifications, making it the most effective filter for this purpose.
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.
✗
Filter for 'WriteFile' events in System32
Why it's wrong here
Writing to System32 could indicate installation but not specifically persistence.
✓
Filter for 'RegSetValue' events with path containing 'CurrentVersion\Run'
Why this is correct
This captures modifications to common autorun locations, indicating persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Filter for 'Process Create' events
Why it's wrong here
Process Create shows new processes, not persistence directly.
✗
Filter for 'RegSetValue' events with path containing 'RunOnce'
Why it's wrong here
RunOnce is used for one-time execution; Run is more common for persistence.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'RunOnce' with 'Run' — 'RunOnce' is for one-time execution and is less common for persistent malware, while 'CurrentVersion\Run' is the standard persistence key tested in CHFI.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Process Create shows new processes, not persistence directly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the 'CurrentVersion\Run' key is located at 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run' (for all users) or 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\...' (for the current user). Malware often uses 'RegSetValue' to add a new value with a command line pointing to its executable, and Process Monitor captures this with high fidelity, including the exact data written. In real-world scenarios, analysts combine this filter with 'Process Create' and 'CreateFile' events to trace the malware's installation chain from initial execution to persistence.
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: Filter for 'RegSetValue' events with path containing 'CurrentVersion\Run' — The 'CurrentVersion\Run' registry key is a standard persistence location where malware adds entries to execute automatically at user logon. Filtering for 'RegSetValue' events targeting this path directly captures the act of writing a new value to that key, which is a common persistence mechanism. Process Monitor's 'RegSetValue' operation specifically monitors registry value modifications, making it the most effective filter for this purpose.
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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