CPENT Practice Question: Privilege Escalation Lateral Movement And Post Exploitation
Which technique is most effective for achieving persistence on a Windows system by leveraging the automatic startup mechanism that executes during user login?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Adding an entry to the Run registry key in the current user hive.
The 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run' registry key is a common location for persistence that triggers when the current user logs in.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Creating a hidden scheduled task.
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled tasks are effective but operate independently of the login process.
- ✗
Modifying the default shell via Winlogon.
Why it's wrong here
This is a system-wide modification requiring higher privileges.
- ✗
Replacing the utilman.exe binary with cmd.exe.
Why it's wrong here
This is a Sticky Keys persistence method, not a login-based startup mechanism.
- ✓
Adding an entry to the Run registry key in the current user hive.
Why this is correct
This is the standard method for user-level persistence at login.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official EC-Council exam blueprint
This CPENT practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CPENT exam.