Exam SY0-601 topic 1 question 550 discussion

When a file integrity monitoring tool detects a change in the hash of a critical system file like "cmd.exe," it could indicate that a rootkit has been deployed. Rootkits are malicious software designed to hide their presence on a system by modifying critical files and processes, including system utilities like "cmd.exe." By changing the hash of the file, the rootkit aims to evade detection by security tools that rely on file integrity checks. Rootkits often have the capability to tamper with system logs and other monitoring mechanisms, making them difficult to detect using traditional methods.

A file integrity monitoring tool is designed to monitor changes to critical system files and alert administrators when unauthorized changes occur. The alert specifically mentions that the hash of the cmd.exe file has changed. This file is a critical system file associated with the Windows command-line interface. The fact that no patches were applied in the last two months suggests that the change in the file hash was not a result of a legitimate update or patch. Cryptographic collisions are extremely rare events and typically not the cause of a file's hash suddenly changing. Cryptographic collisions would affect the integrity of a wide range of files, not just a specific system file. Taking a snapshot of the file system (e.g., for backup purposes) would not typically cause a change in the hash of a specific file like cmd.exe.

A rootkit is a type of malware that gives the attacker root-level access to a system. Root-level access allows the attacker to control the system and install other malware. When a rootkit is deployed, it can modify the file system, including the hash of the cmd.exe file. A: The end user changing the file permissions would not change the hash of the file. B: A cryptographic collision is a rare event that occurs when two different files have the same hash. This is not likely to happen in this case. C: Taking a snapshot of the file system would not change the hash of the cmd.exe file.