The correct answer is that PID 1234 is likely communicating with a remote C2 server at 10.2.3.4 because the netstat output shows an established TCP connection from the workstation to that IP on port 4444, a port commonly associated with malware command and control, using a high ephemeral source port (49152). This persistent ESTABLISHED state, rather than a short-lived or well-known service port, is a classic indicator of a beaconing C2 channel. On the CHFI exam, this tests your ability to interpret netstat output and identify C2 connections by recognizing anomalous outbound connections tied to a specific process ID. A common trap is dismissing high ephemeral ports as normal, but remember that legitimate outbound traffic typically uses ports like 80 or 443, not persistent connections on obscure ports like 4444. Memory tip: “PID plus persistent port equals probable C2.”
CHFI Incident Response and First Responder Skills Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of incident response and first responder skills. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
C:\Users\Forensic> netstat -ano
Active Connections
Proto Local Address Foreign Address State PID
TCP 192.168.1.10:49152 10.2.3.4:443 ESTABLISHED 1234
TCP 192.168.1.10:49153 192.168.1.1:80 TIME_WAIT 0
TCP 192.168.1.10:49154 10.2.3.4:80 ESTABLISHED 1234
UDP 0.0.0.0:5353 *:* 5678
Refer to the exhibit. A first responder runs the netstat command on a compromised Windows workstation. Which of the following conclusions is BEST supported by the output?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Refer to the exhibit.
C:\Users\Forensic> netstat -ano
Active Connections
Proto Local Address Foreign Address State PID
TCP 192.168.1.10:49152 10.2.3.4:443 ESTABLISHED 1234
TCP 192.168.1.10:49153 192.168.1.1:80 TIME_WAIT 0
TCP 192.168.1.10:49154 10.2.3.4:80 ESTABLISHED 1234
UDP 0.0.0.0:5353 *:* 5678
A
The connection to 192.168.1.1:80 is suspicious because it is in TIME_WAIT state.
Why wrong: TIME_WAIT is a normal TCP state for closed connections.
B
The UDP listener on port 5353 indicates a malware infection.
Why wrong: Port 5353 is commonly used by mDNS (Bonjour) and is often benign.
C
A process with PID 1234 is likely communicating with a remote C2 server at 10.2.3.4.
Process 1234 has two established connections to the same remote IP on different ports.
D
The workstation is running multiple virtual machines based on the local addresses.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A process with PID 1234 is likely communicating with a remote C2 server at 10.2.3.4.
Option C is correct because an established TCP connection (ESTABLISHED state) from the workstation to a remote IP on a high ephemeral port (49152) with PID 1234 strongly indicates active communication. This is a classic indicator of a beaconing C2 channel, as legitimate outbound connections typically use well-known ports or are short-lived. The netstat output shows PID 1234 has a persistent connection to 10.2.3.4:4444, which is a common port for malware command and control.
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 connection to 192.168.1.1:80 is suspicious because it is in TIME_WAIT state.
Why it's wrong here
TIME_WAIT is a normal TCP state for closed connections.
✗
The UDP listener on port 5353 indicates a malware infection.
Why it's wrong here
Port 5353 is commonly used by mDNS (Bonjour) and is often benign.
✓
A process with PID 1234 is likely communicating with a remote C2 server at 10.2.3.4.
Why this is correct
Process 1234 has two established connections to the same remote IP on different ports.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The workstation is running multiple virtual machines based on the local addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Only one local IP is shown.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that TIME_WAIT or UDP listeners are inherently malicious, when in fact they are normal TCP/IP behaviors; the trap here is to recognize that ESTABLISHED connections to unusual ports with a specific PID are the strongest indicator of active C2 communication.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Only one local IP is shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The netstat -ano command reveals the process identifier (PID) associated with each connection, allowing investigators to cross-reference with task manager or process explorer. In C2 scenarios, malware often uses non-standard ports (e.g., 4444) and maintains persistent ESTABLISHED connections to avoid detection. The TIME_WAIT state lasts 2*MSL (typically 60 seconds) and is a normal part of TCP's graceful close, not a sign of malicious activity.
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.
Incident Response and First Responder Skills — This question tests Incident Response and First Responder Skills — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A process with PID 1234 is likely communicating with a remote C2 server at 10.2.3.4. — Option C is correct because an established TCP connection (ESTABLISHED state) from the workstation to a remote IP on a high ephemeral port (49152) with PID 1234 strongly indicates active communication. This is a classic indicator of a beaconing C2 channel, as legitimate outbound connections typically use well-known ports or are short-lived. The netstat output shows PID 1234 has a persistent connection to 10.2.3.4:4444, which is a common port for malware command and control.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "first". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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