Palo Alto Networks Certified Detection and Remediation Analyst Exam Practice Test

Answer : D

Cortex XDR allows you to schedule reports and forward them to Slack, a cloud-based collaboration platform. You can configure the Slack channel, frequency, and recipients of the scheduled reports. You can also view the report history and status in the Cortex XDR management console.Reference:

Scheduled Queries: This document explains how to create, edit, and manage scheduled queries and reports in Cortex XDR.

Forward Scheduled Reports to Slack: This document provides the steps to configure Slack integration and forward scheduled reports to a Slack channel.

Answer : B

The difference between presets and datasets in XQL is that a dataset is a built-in or third-party data source, while a preset is a group of XDR data fields. A dataset is a collection of data that you can query and analyze using XQL. A dataset can be a Cortex data lake data source, such as endpoints, alerts, incidents, or network flows, or a third-party data source, such as AWS CloudTrail, Azure Activity Logs, or Google Cloud Audit Logs. A preset is a predefined set of XDR data fields that are relevant for a specific use case, such as process execution, file operations, or network activity. A preset can help you simplify and standardize your XQL queries by selecting the most important fields for your analysis. You can use presets with any Cortex data lake data source, but not with third-party data sources.Reference:

Datasets and Presets

XQL Language Reference

Answer : D

The best step to ensure the same protection is extended to all your servers is to create indicators of compromise (IOCs) of the malicious files you have found to prevent their execution. IOCs are pieces of information that indicate a potential threat or compromise on an endpoint, such as file hashes, IP addresses, domain names, or registry keys. You can create IOCs in Cortex XDR to block or alert on any file or network activity that matches the IOCs. By creating IOCs of the malicious files involved in the cobalt strike attack, you can prevent them from running or spreading on any of your servers.

The other options are not the best steps for the following reasons:

A is not the best step because conducting a thorough Endpoint Malware scan may not detect or prevent the cobalt strike attack if the malicious files are obfuscated, encrypted, or hidden. Endpoint Malware scan is a feature of Cortex XDR that allows you to scan endpoints for known malware and quarantine any malicious files found. However, Endpoint Malware scan may not be effective against unknown or advanced threats that use evasion techniques to avoid detection.

B is not the best step because enabling DLL Protection on all servers may cause some false positives and disrupt legitimate applications. DLL Protection is a feature of Cortex XDR that allows you to block or alert on any DLL loading activity that matches certain criteria, such as unsigned DLLs, DLLs loaded from network locations, or DLLs loaded by specific processes. However, DLL Protection may also block or alert on benign DLL loading activity that is part of normal system or application operations, resulting in false positives and performance issues.

C is not the best step because enabling Behavioral Threat Protection (BTP) with cytool may not prevent the attack from spreading if the malicious files are already on the endpoints or if the attack uses other methods to evade detection. Behavioral Threat Protection is a feature of Cortex XDR that allows you to block or alert on any endpoint behavior that matches certain patterns, such as ransomware, credential theft, or lateral movement. Cytool is a command-line tool that allows you to configure and manage the Cortex XDR agent on the endpoint. However, Behavioral Threat Protection may not prevent the attack from spreading if the malicious files are already on the endpoints or if the attack uses other methods to evade detection, such as encryption, obfuscation, or proxy servers.

Create IOCs

Scan an Endpoint for Malware

DLL Protection

Behavioral Threat Protection

Cytool for Windows

Answer : D

The correct statement regarding the Cortex XDR Analytics module is D, it interferes with the pattern as soon as it is observed on the endpoint. The Cortex XDR Analytics module is a feature of Cortex XDR that uses machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect and prevent network-based attacks on endpoints. The Cortex XDR Analytics module analyzes the network traffic and activity on the endpoint, and compares it with the attack patterns defined by Palo Alto Networks threat research team. The Cortex XDR Analytics module interferes with the attack pattern as soon as it is observed on the endpoint, by blocking the malicious network connection, process, or file. This way, the Cortex XDR Analytics module can stop the attack before it causes any damage or compromise.

The other statements are incorrect for the following reasons:

A is incorrect because the Cortex XDR Analytics module does interfere with the attack pattern on the endpoint, by blocking the malicious network connection, process, or file. The Cortex XDR Analytics module does not rely on the firewall or any other network device to stop the attack, but rather uses the Cortex XDR agent installed on the endpoint to perform the interference.

B is incorrect because the Cortex XDR Analytics module does not interfere with the attack pattern as soon as it is observed by the firewall. The Cortex XDR Analytics module does not depend on the firewall or any other network device to detect or prevent the attack, but rather uses the Cortex XDR agent installed on the endpoint to perform the analysis and interference. The firewall may not be able to observe or block the attack pattern if it is encrypted, obfuscated, or bypassed by the attacker.

C is incorrect because the Cortex XDR Analytics module does need to interfere with the attack pattern to prevent the attack. The Cortex XDR Analytics module does not only detect the attack pattern, but also prevents it from succeeding by blocking the malicious network connection, process, or file. The Cortex XDR Analytics module does not rely on any other response mechanism or human intervention to stop the attack, but rather uses the Cortex XDR agent installed on the endpoint to perform the interference.

Cortex XDR Analytics Module

Cortex XDR Analytics Module Detection and Prevention

Answer : C

The function that describes the removal of a specific file from its location on a local or removable drive to a protected folder to prevent the file from being executed isquarantine. Quarantine is a feature of Cortex XDR that allows you to isolate malicious or suspicious files from the endpoint and prevent them from running or spreading. You can quarantine files manually from the Cortex XDR console, or automatically based on the malware analysis profile or the remediation suggestions. When you quarantine a file, the Cortex XDR agent encrypts the file and moves it to a hidden folder under the agent installation directory. The file is also renamed with a random string and a .quarantine extension. You can view, restore, or delete the quarantined files from the Cortex XDR console.Reference:

Quarantine Files

Manage Quarantined Files

Answer : D

Palo Alto Networks provides a set of precanned scripts that you can use to perform various actions on your endpoints, such as deleting files, killing processes, or quarantining malware. The precanned scripts are written in Python and are available in the Agent Script Library in the Cortex XDR console. You can use the precanned scripts as they are, or you can customize them to suit your needs. The precanned scripts are:

delete_file: Deletes a specific file from a local or removable drive.

quarantine_file: Moves a specific file from its location on a local or removable drive to a protected folder and prevents it from being executed.

process_kill_name: Kills a process by its name on the endpoint.

process_kill_pid: Kills a process by its process ID (PID) on the endpoint.

process_kill_tree: Kills a process and all its child processes by its name on the endpoint.

process_kill_tree_pid: Kills a process and all its child processes by its PID on the endpoint.

process_list: Lists all the processes running on the endpoint, along with their names, PIDs, and command lines.

process_list_tree: Lists all the processes running on the endpoint, along with their names, PIDs, command lines, and parent processes.

process_start: Starts a process on the endpoint by its name or path.

registry_delete_key: Deletes a registry key and all its subkeys and values from the Windows registry.

registry_delete_value: Deletes a registry value from the Windows registry.

registry_list_key: Lists all the subkeys and values under a registry key in the Windows registry.

registry_list_value: Lists the value and data of a registry value in the Windows registry.

registry_set_value: Sets the value and data of a registry value in the Windows registry.

The script list_directories isnota precanned script provided by Palo Alto Networks. It is a custom script that you can write yourself using Python commands.

Run Scripts on an Endpoint

Agent Script Library

Precanned Scripts

Answer : C

TheHost Insights moduleprovides the best visibility to view vulnerabilities on your endpoints. The Host Insights module is an add-on feature for Cortex XDR that combines vulnerability management, application and system visibility, and a Search and Destroy feature to help you identify and contain threats. The vulnerability management feature allows you to scan your Windows endpoints for known vulnerabilities and missing patches, and view the results in the Cortex XDR console. You can also filter and sort the vulnerabilities by severity, CVSS score, CVE ID, or patch availability. The Host Insights module helps you reduce your exposure to threats and improve your security posture.Reference:

Host Insights

Vulnerability Management