XDR-Engineer Detection And Reporting Practice Question
A security engineer is investigating a potential lateral movement technique using WMI. The engineer wants to query the XDR backend using XQL (XDR Query Language) to search for process executions spawned by wmic.exe across all endpoints. Which XQL dataset should the query target?
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
✓
dataset = xdr_data | filter event_type = 'PROCESS_START' and actor_process_image_path contains 'wmic.exe'
XQL queries targeting endpoint process executions should query the XDM dataset representing process events, specifically `xdr_data` with a filter on the dataset schema for process 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.
- ✗
dataset = panw_analytics_alerts | filter alert_name = 'WMI Execution'
Why it's wrong here
This searches existing alerts rather than raw telemetry data, missing unalerted activity.
- ✗
dataset = network_story | filter protocol = 'WMI'
Why it's wrong here
WMI execution is a host-based process activity, not a distinct network protocol dataset.
- ✗
dataset = endpoints_inventory | filter status = 'Active'
Why it's wrong here
Endpoints inventory tracks agent deployment status and asset details, not event telemetry.
- ✓
dataset = xdr_data | filter event_type = 'PROCESS_START' and actor_process_image_path contains 'wmic.exe'
Why this is correct
This query correctly accesses the xdr_data dataset and filters for process start events involving wmic.exe.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
This XDR-Engineer practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks 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 XDR-Engineer exam.