- A
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | join DeviceProcessEvents on DeviceName | where (Timestamp2 - Timestamp1) between (0m..10m) and FileName == 'powershell.exe'
Why wrong: Joining on DeviceName from the same table would not match the remote device; also missing extraction of remote target.
- B
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | project SourceDevice = DeviceName, TimeGenerated, RemoteDevice = extract(remote device from command line) | join kind=inner (DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'powershell.exe') on $left.RemoteDevice == $right.DeviceName and $left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated-10m .. $right.TimeGenerated)
This pattern extracts the remote device from the mstsc command line and joins with PowerShell events on the remote device within a 10-minute window after the RDP connection.
- C
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName in~ ('mstsc.exe', 'powershell.exe') and TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | summarize makelist(DeviceName) by bin(TimeGenerated, 10m)
Why wrong: This summary does not correlate RDP to script execution on the same or different device; it just lists devices per time bin.
- D
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | extend RemoteDevice = extract(...,1, ProcessCommandLine) | join kind=inner (DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'powershell.exe') on $left.RemoteDevice == $right.DeviceName and $left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated - 10m .. $right.TimeGenerated)
Why wrong: The time window direction is reversed; the PowerShell should occur after mstsc.exe, not before.
SC-200 Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft defender xdr. 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.
A security analyst is investigating an advanced persistent threat (APT) campaign that involves lateral movement using RDP. The analyst wants to create a custom detection rule in Microsoft 365 Defender that triggers when a device remotely connects to another device via RDP (process: mstsc.exe) and, within 10 minutes, the remote device executes a suspicious script (e.g., PowerShell.exe with encoded command). Which KQL query pattern in advanced hunting should be used to correlate these events across devices?
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
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | project SourceDevice = DeviceName, TimeGenerated, RemoteDevice = extract(remote device from command line) | join kind=inner (DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'powershell.exe') on $left.RemoteDevice == $right.DeviceName and $left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated-10m .. $right.TimeGenerated)
Option B is correct because it uses the `extract()` function to parse the remote device name from the `mstsc.exe` command line (e.g., `mstsc.exe /v:REMOTE_PC`), then performs an inner join with `DeviceProcessEvents` for `powershell.exe` on the condition that the remote device name matches and the `mstsc.exe` timestamp falls within a 10-minute window before the PowerShell execution. This precisely correlates the lateral movement (RDP connection) with the subsequent suspicious script execution on the target device, which is the required detection pattern.
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.
- ✗
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | join DeviceProcessEvents on DeviceName | where (Timestamp2 - Timestamp1) between (0m..10m) and FileName == 'powershell.exe'
Why it's wrong here
Joining on DeviceName from the same table would not match the remote device; also missing extraction of remote target.
- ✓
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | project SourceDevice = DeviceName, TimeGenerated, RemoteDevice = extract(remote device from command line) | join kind=inner (DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'powershell.exe') on $left.RemoteDevice == $right.DeviceName and $left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated-10m .. $right.TimeGenerated)
Why this is correct
This pattern extracts the remote device from the mstsc command line and joins with PowerShell events on the remote device within a 10-minute window after the RDP connection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName in~ ('mstsc.exe', 'powershell.exe') and TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | summarize makelist(DeviceName) by bin(TimeGenerated, 10m)
Why it's wrong here
This summary does not correlate RDP to script execution on the same or different device; it just lists devices per time bin.
- ✗
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | extend RemoteDevice = extract(...,1, ProcessCommandLine) | join kind=inner (DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'powershell.exe') on $left.RemoteDevice == $right.DeviceName and $left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated - 10m .. $right.TimeGenerated)
Why it's wrong here
The time window direction is reversed; the PowerShell should occur after mstsc.exe, not before.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often overlook the need to extract the remote device from the `mstsc.exe` command line and instead join on `DeviceName`, which would incorrectly correlate events on the same device rather than across devices, or they misorder the time window (checking after instead of before).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `mstsc.exe` typically stores the target device in the command line as `/v:<hostname>` or `/v:<IP>`, and the `extract()` function with a regex like `@'/v:([^\s]+)'` captures that target. The join uses `$left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated - 10m .. $right.TimeGenerated)` to ensure the RDP connection (left) happens within 10 minutes before the PowerShell execution (right), which is critical for detecting lateral movement followed by immediate malicious activity. In real-world APT campaigns, attackers often use RDP to move to a new host and then run a PowerShell encoded command to download C2 payloads, making this temporal correlation essential.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'mstsc.exe' | project SourceDevice = DeviceName, TimeGenerated, RemoteDevice = extract(remote device from command line) | join kind=inner (DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName == 'powershell.exe') on $left.RemoteDevice == $right.DeviceName and $left.TimeGenerated between ($right.TimeGenerated-10m .. $right.TimeGenerated) — Option B is correct because it uses the `extract()` function to parse the remote device name from the `mstsc.exe` command line (e.g., `mstsc.exe /v:REMOTE_PC`), then performs an inner join with `DeviceProcessEvents` for `powershell.exe` on the condition that the remote device name matches and the `mstsc.exe` timestamp falls within a 10-minute window before the PowerShell execution. This precisely correlates the lateral movement (RDP connection) with the subsequent suspicious script execution on the target device, which is the required detection pattern.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SC-200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 SC-200 exam.
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