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 Windows malware sample, Process Monitor shows repeated writes to 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run'. What does this behaviour indicate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The malware is establishing persistence to run at system startup
The registry key 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run' is a standard Windows autorun location. Malware writing to this key ensures that its executable is launched automatically every time the system boots, which is a classic persistence mechanism. Process Monitor capturing repeated writes confirms the malware is actively establishing this startup persistence.
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 malware is disabling Windows Defender
Why it's wrong here
Disabling Defender would involve changes to security center keys, not the Run key.
✓
The malware is establishing persistence to run at system startup
Why this is correct
The 'Run' key is used to automatically start programs when a user logs in.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The malware is modifying network configuration
Why it's wrong here
Network configuration is stored elsewhere, e.g., TCP/IP parameters.
✗
The malware is performing log wiping
Why it's wrong here
Log wiping would target Event Log keys or files, not the Run key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the distinction between persistence mechanisms (like Run keys) and other malware behaviors (like disabling security or log wiping), so the trap here is that candidates confuse the Run key's purpose with system configuration changes or defensive countermeasures.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Run key is processed by the Windows Session Manager (smss.exe) and then by the Userinit process during logon; each value under the key specifies a command line to execute. Malware often uses this key for persistence because it requires no additional services or scheduled tasks, and it survives reboots. In real-world forensic analysis, repeated writes may indicate the malware is checking if the key still exists or re-establishing persistence after being removed by security software.
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: The malware is establishing persistence to run at system startup — The registry key 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run' is a standard Windows autorun location. Malware writing to this key ensures that its executable is launched automatically every time the system boots, which is a classic persistence mechanism. Process Monitor capturing repeated writes confirms the malware is actively establishing this startup persistence.
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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