ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
A security analyst is reviewing endpoint logs and sees repeated entries showing that a process attempted to modify the Windows registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa and then attempted to read the SAM database file. The process is not a known administrative tool and was launched from a user's temporary folder. Which type of activity is MOST likely occurring?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any registry modification or SAM access is benign administrative activity, when the context of an unknown process in a temp folder makes it highly suspicious.
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
✓
Privilege escalation and credential dumping attempts
The combination of modifying the LSA registry key and reading the SAM database from an unknown process in a user temp folder is a strong indicator of credential dumping and privilege escalation. These actions are commonly performed by tools like Mimikatz or custom malware to extract password hashes. Recognizing this pattern helps analysts quickly identify a potential compromise.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Routine operating system patch installation
Why it's wrong here
Patch installation is typically performed by trusted system processes such as Windows Update or an approved patch management agent, not from a user's temporary folder. Patch operations may update registry keys but would not directly read the SAM database in this manner, and they would originate from a known, signed binary rather than an unknown process.
- ✓
Privilege escalation and credential dumping attempts
Why this is correct
Modifying the LSA registry key and reading the SAM database are classic actions associated with extracting password hashes and elevating privileges on Windows. The process running from a user temp folder and not being a known admin tool strongly indicates malicious credential access behavior, which is a key indicator of compromise in security operations.
- ✗
Normal user profile creation by the operating system
Why it's wrong here
User profile creation involves creating directories under Users and updating profile-related registry keys, but it does not modify the LSA security policy key or read the SAM database. Additionally, profile creation is handled by system processes like User Profile Service, not by an unknown process launched from a temp directory.
- ✗
Antivirus signature update process
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus signature updates are performed by the installed antivirus service, which runs from a protected program directory and uses signed binaries. Such updates would not access the SAM database or modify the LSA registry key. The behavior described is inconsistent with legitimate security software update activity.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Access Control Fundamentals
Key term
Malware
Malware is any software intentionally designed to cause damage, disrupt operations, steal data, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.