Exam XSIAM-Analyst Topic 3 Question 43 Discussion
Actual exam question for Palo Alto Networks's XSIAM-Analyst exam
Question #: 43
Topic #: 3
Question #: 43
Topic #: 3
A security analyst has been assigned a ticket from the help desk stating that users are experiencing errors when attempting to open files on a specific network share. These errors state that the file format cannot be opened. IT has verified that the file server is online and functioning, but that all files have unusual extensions attached to them.
The security analyst reviews alerts within Cortex XSIAM and identifies malicious activity related to a possible ransomware attack on the file server. This incident is then escalated to the incident response team for further investigation.
Upon reviewing the incident, the responders confirm that ransomware was successfully executed on the file server. Other details of the attack are noted below:
- An unpatched vulnerability on an externally facing web server was
exploited for initial access
- The attackers successfully used Mimikatz to dump sensitive
credentials that were used for privilege escalation
- PowerShell was used on a Windows server for additional discovery, as
well as lateral movement to other systems
- The attackers executed SystemBC RAT on multiple systems to maintain
remote access
- Ransomware payload was downloaded on the file server via an external
site, "file.io"
Refer to the scenario to answer this question:
Which forensics artifact collected by Cortex XSIAM will help the responders identify what the attackers were looking for during the discovery phase of the attack?
The security analyst reviews alerts within Cortex XSIAM and identifies malicious activity related to a possible ransomware attack on the file server. This incident is then escalated to the incident response team for further investigation.
Upon reviewing the incident, the responders confirm that ransomware was successfully executed on the file server. Other details of the attack are noted below:
- An unpatched vulnerability on an externally facing web server was
exploited for initial access
- The attackers successfully used Mimikatz to dump sensitive
credentials that were used for privilege escalation
- PowerShell was used on a Windows server for additional discovery, as
well as lateral movement to other systems
- The attackers executed SystemBC RAT on multiple systems to maintain
remote access
- Ransomware payload was downloaded on the file server via an external
site, "file.io"
Refer to the scenario to answer this question:
Which forensics artifact collected by Cortex XSIAM will help the responders identify what the attackers were looking for during the discovery phase of the attack?
Suggested Answer: A Vote an answer
The Shell history artifact provides a detailed record of commands executed during interactive shell sessions (such as via PowerShell or command prompt) on Windows and Linux systems.
Reviewing this artifact enables responders to reconstruct the attacker's activity during the discovery phase, showing exactly what directories, files, and commands were accessed or run, and what the attackers were searching for.
"The Shell history artifact allows responders to see what commands were executed during the attack, providing insight into attacker intent and discovery activities."
Reviewing this artifact enables responders to reconstruct the attacker's activity during the discovery phase, showing exactly what directories, files, and commands were accessed or run, and what the attackers were searching for.
"The Shell history artifact allows responders to see what commands were executed during the attack, providing insight into attacker intent and discovery activities."
by George at Sep 30, 2026, 10:34 AM
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