The correct answer is to identify devices where cmd.exe launched PowerShell and made outbound HTTPS connections. This KQL query detects PowerShell download cradles by joining process creation events for cmd.exe containing the string 'powershell' with network connection events to port 443 on the same device, revealing a common technique attackers use to fetch and execute malicious payloads remotely. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to correlate process and network data for threat hunting, specifically recognizing that download cradles often involve a parent process like cmd.exe spawning PowerShell to reach out to command-and-control servers over HTTPS. A common trap is confusing this with lateral movement or integrity checks, but the query’s focus on outbound port 443 and cmd.exe-to-PowerShell chaining is the key giveaway. Memory tip: think “CMD to PS to HTTPS” as the three-link chain of a download cradle.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
// KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel
DeviceProcessEvents
| where Timestamp > ago(7d)
| where FileName == "cmd.exe"
| where ProcessCommandLine contains "powershell"
| project Timestamp, DeviceName, AccountName, ProcessCommandLine
| join kind=inner (
DeviceNetworkEvents
| where Timestamp > ago(7d)
| where RemotePort == 443
) on DeviceName
```
Refer to the exhibit. The KQL query is used for threat hunting. What is the primary purpose of this query?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Identify devices where cmd.exe launched PowerShell and made outbound HTTPS connections.
Option D is correct because the query joins cmd.exe executions containing 'powershell' with network connections to port 443 on the same device, indicating possible PowerShell download cradles. Option A is wrong because the query does not inspect process integrity levels. Option B is wrong because the query focuses on cmd.exe, not generic script execution. Option C is wrong because the query is not limited to lateral movement; it targets command and control activity.
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.
✓
Identify devices where cmd.exe launched PowerShell and made outbound HTTPS connections.
Why this is correct
The join on DeviceName ensures both events occurred on the same device.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Find devices where PowerShell was used to download files.
Why it's wrong here
The query looks for cmd.exe that contains 'powershell', not PowerShell directly.
✗
Detect lateral movement using remote services.
Why it's wrong here
No lateral movement indicators are present.
✗
Identify cmd.exe running with high integrity.
Why it's wrong here
The query does not check integrity levels.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Perform threat hunting — This question tests Perform threat hunting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Identify devices where cmd.exe launched PowerShell and made outbound HTTPS connections. — Option D is correct because the query joins cmd.exe executions containing 'powershell' with network connections to port 443 on the same device, indicating possible PowerShell download cradles. Option A is wrong because the query does not inspect process integrity levels. Option B is wrong because the query focuses on cmd.exe, not generic script execution. Option C is wrong because the query is not limited to lateral movement; it targets command and control activity.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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