CHFI Database and Application Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of database and application 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
MySQL Binary Log Entry:
# at 12345678
#190101 10:00:00 server id 1 end_log_pos 12345679 CRC32 0x12345678 Query thread_id=100 exec_time=0 error_code=0
SET TIMESTAMP=1546334400/*!*/;
DELETE FROM users WHERE id=5
/*!*/;
```
Refer to the exhibit. An analyst recovers this binary log entry from a MySQL server. What does the timestamp '190101 10:00:00' represent?
Refer to the exhibit.
```
MySQL Binary Log Entry:
# at 12345678
#190101 10:00:00 server id 1 end_log_pos 12345679 CRC32 0x12345678 Query thread_id=100 exec_time=0 error_code=0
SET TIMESTAMP=1546334400/*!*/;
DELETE FROM users WHERE id=5
/*!*/;
```
A
The time the DELETE statement was executed on the MySQL server
The timestamp records when the server executed the statement.
B
The time the client sent the query to the server
Why wrong: The timestamp is server-side, not client-side.
C
The time the binary log file was written to disk
Why wrong: The timestamp is the execution time, not the write time.
D
The time the transaction was committed
Why wrong: For non-transactional statements like DELETE, there is no commit; the timestamp is execution time.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The time the DELETE statement was executed on the MySQL server
In MySQL binary logs, the timestamp in the 'Query' event header (e.g., '190101 10:00:00') records the server's local time when the statement began executing. This is the time the DELETE statement was actually processed by the MySQL server, not when the client sent it or when the log was written. The binary log captures the exact moment the server starts executing the query, making option A correct.
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 time the DELETE statement was executed on the MySQL server
Why this is correct
The timestamp records when the server executed the statement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The time the client sent the query to the server
Why it's wrong here
The timestamp is server-side, not client-side.
✗
The time the binary log file was written to disk
Why it's wrong here
The timestamp is the execution time, not the write time.
✗
The time the transaction was committed
Why it's wrong here
For non-transactional statements like DELETE, there is no commit; the timestamp is execution time.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'execution time on server' vs 'client send time' or 'commit time', and the trap here is that candidates confuse the binary log event timestamp with the client-side query submission time or the transaction commit time, which are recorded differently in MySQL's binary log format.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MySQL binary log events use a fixed-format header that includes a 4-byte timestamp (seconds since Unix epoch) representing the server's local time when the event was created. For statement-based logging, each 'Query' event carries this timestamp indicating when the server began executing the SQL statement. In row-based logging, the timestamp in the 'Table_map' and 'Rows_log_event' headers similarly marks the start of the row change operation. This timestamp is critical for forensic timeline reconstruction, as it is independent of client-side clock skew and directly tied to server processing.
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.
Database and Application Forensics — This question tests Database and Application Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The time the DELETE statement was executed on the MySQL server — In MySQL binary logs, the timestamp in the 'Query' event header (e.g., '190101 10:00:00') records the server's local time when the statement began executing. This is the time the DELETE statement was actually processed by the MySQL server, not when the client sent it or when the log was written. The binary log captures the exact moment the server starts executing the query, making option A correct.
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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