hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: During a security incident, the IR team collects…
During a security incident, the IR team collects memory dumps from an infected workstation. The analysis reveals a process injecting code into 'svchost.exe'. Which technique is most likely being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse DLL injection with process hollowing, but process hollowing replaces the process's code entirely, whereas the question describes injecting code into an already running svchost.exe, which aligns with DLL injection.
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
✓
DLL injection
DLL injection is the most likely technique because it involves a process loading a malicious DLL into the address space of a legitimate process like svchost.exe. This is typically achieved using Windows API calls such as CreateRemoteThread and LoadLibrary, allowing the attacker to execute code within the trusted svchost.exe context, evading detection by blending in with legitimate system processes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Process hollowing
Why it's wrong here
Process hollowing replaces the legitimate process's code, not injection.
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Reflective DLL injection
Why it's wrong here
Reflective DLL injection is a variant but not the most common; DLL injection is broader.
- ✗
Token stealing
Why it's wrong here
Token stealing is used for privilege escalation, not code injection.
- ✓
DLL injection
Why this is correct
DLL injection loads a malicious DLL into a target process.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.