The answer is that the V/V 113-128-1: $OrphanFiles entry is a virtual directory containing files with no parent directory, typically recovered from deleted or corrupted metadata. In The Sleuth Kit, the fls command maps the file system’s directory tree, and when a file’s parent directory entry is lost—often due to deletion or disk corruption—TSK collects these orphaned MFT entries into this virtual container, making them accessible for recovery. On the CHFI exam, this concept tests your understanding of NTFS artifact recovery and how forensic tools handle fragmented metadata; a common trap is confusing virtual directories with actual file system folders. Remember that $OrphanFiles is TSK’s “lost and found” bin—if a file’s parent is gone, it lands here. A useful memory tip: think of the double “V” in V/V as “Virtual Volume” for orphaned data.
CHFI Malware Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of 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.
Refer to the exhibit. An investigator is examining a disk image using TSK. The output from 'fls' shows the directory structure. What is the significance of the entry 'V/V 113-128-1: $OrphanFiles'?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It is a virtual directory that contains files with no parent directory, often from deleted files
In The Sleuth Kit (TSK), the 'fls' command lists files and directories within a disk image. The entry 'V/V 113-128-1: $OrphanFiles' is a virtual directory that contains files that have no parent directory in the file system, typically because their directory entries were deleted or corrupted. This is a common artifact when recovering deleted files from NTFS volumes, as TSK collects such orphaned MFT entries into this virtual container.
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.
✗
It is a sign that a rootkit has hidden files in the image
Why it's wrong here
$OrphanFiles is a normal artifact of file system analysis, not a rootkit indicator.
✗
It indicates the location of the Master File Table (MFT) mirror
Why it's wrong here
MFT mirror is $MFTMirr, not $OrphanFiles.
✓
It is a virtual directory that contains files with no parent directory, often from deleted files
Why this is correct
'V/V' denotes a virtual directory for files that are not linked in the directory tree.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It is a standard NTFS metadata file that stores file permissions
Why it's wrong here
$OrphanFiles is not a standard NTFS metadata file.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between native NTFS metadata files (like $MFT, $Bitmap) and TSK virtual artifacts (like $OrphanFiles), so candidates mistakenly treat $OrphanFiles as a real NTFS system file rather than a forensic tool's reconstruction.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when TSK processes an NTFS image, it scans the MFT for file records that are not referenced by any directory index (e.g., due to deletion of the parent directory or a corrupted $INDEX_ROOT attribute). These orphaned records are grouped into the virtual $OrphanFiles directory, which appears as 'V/V 113-128-1' where 'V/V' indicates a virtual directory, '113' is the file system ID, '128-1' is the inode range. In real-world forensics, this is critical for recovering files from formatted or partially overwritten volumes, as it often contains remnants of deleted user data that can be carved or analyzed.
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.
Malware Forensics — This question tests Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It is a virtual directory that contains files with no parent directory, often from deleted files — In The Sleuth Kit (TSK), the 'fls' command lists files and directories within a disk image. The entry 'V/V 113-128-1: $OrphanFiles' is a virtual directory that contains files that have no parent directory in the file system, typically because their directory entries were deleted or corrupted. This is a common artifact when recovering deleted files from NTFS volumes, as TSK collects such orphaned MFT entries into this virtual container.
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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