Credential Dumping Detection: Event ID and Table
You are threat hunting for credential dumping activity. Which Windows event ID is commonly associated with the use of tools like Mimikatz?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is Windows Event ID 4688 (Process Creation). This event logs every new process spawned on the system, including the execution of tools like Mimikatz, which creates a process such as mimikatz.exe. The 4688 event captures critical details like the command line, parent process, and user context, making it essential for credential dumping detection. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this tests your ability to correlate process creation events with known attack tools, often appearing in threat hunting scenarios where you must distinguish legitimate processes from malicious ones. A common trap is focusing on Event ID 4624 (Logon) or 4672 (Special Privileges), which log authentication rather than process execution. For a memory tip, remember “4688 for the gate” — every tool that runs must pass through a process creation gate, and Mimikatz is no exception.
⚠ Common exam trap
Microsoft often tests the misconception that credential dumping is tied to authentication events (like 4624 or 4768), but the key indicator is the process creation event (4688) that captures the execution of the dumping tool itself.
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
✓
4688 (Process Creation)
Windows Event ID 4688 (Process Creation) logs every new process spawned on the system, including the execution of tools like Mimikatz. When Mimikatz runs, it creates a process (e.g., mimikatz.exe), and the 4688 event captures the command line, parent process, and user context, which are critical for detecting credential dumping activity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
4624 (Successful Logon)
Why it's wrong here
This indicates logon, not credential dumping.
- ✗
4768 (Kerberos Authentication Ticket Request)
Why it's wrong here
This is for Kerberos requests, not process execution.
- ✓
4688 (Process Creation)
Why this is correct
Process creation events can show when Mimikatz or similar tools are launched.
- ✗
4672 (Special Logon)
Why it's wrong here
This logs special privileges assigned, but not the tool execution.
Go deeper
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SC-200
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A threat hunter is using Microsoft Defender XDR Advanced hunting to find evidence of credential dumping. Which table should be queried to detect use of tools like Mimikatz?
easy- A.CloudAppEvents
- ✓ B.DeviceEvents
- C.IdentityLogonEvents
- D.EmailEvents
Why B: The DeviceEvents table in Microsoft Defender XDR Advanced hunting captures events from security sensors, including detection of credential dumping tools like Mimikatz. CloudAppEvents (Option A) covers cloud application activities, not local credential dumping. IdentityLogonEvents (Option C) focuses on authentication logon events. EmailEvents (Option D) is for email-related events. Therefore, DeviceEvents is the correct table to query.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.