Overview

This comprehensive guide focuses on essential tools and methodologies used in Windows Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR). Rather than analyzing a specific attack, we’ll explore the systematic application of forensic tools and when to leverage them effectively in an investigation.

Prerequisites

Training Resources

• TCM Security: Practical Windows Forensics
• Blue Cape Security: Forensic Workstation Setup

Required Tools

• Eric Zimmerman’s Forensic Tools
• Additional tools available at Blue Cape Security (mid-page)

Analysis Methodology

Priority Order

1. Windows Event Logs
2. Windows Registry
3. NTFS Analysis
4. Additional Windows Artifacts

Registry Analysis

Registry Hive Locations

C:\Cases\E\Windows\System32\config
C:\Cases\E\Users\tstark\NTUSER.DAT
C:\Cases\E\Users\tstark\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Usr\Class.dat

Using Registry Explorer

1. Import Registry Hives

   

2. Utilize Available Bookmarks for Common Analysis Points

   

RegRipper Analysis

RegRipper provides automated registry analysis capabilities. Reference: Plugin Matrix

Single Hive Analysis

# Extract Windows version information
rip.exe -r C:\Cases\Analysis\SOFTWARE -p winver

Bulk Hive Analysis

1. Prepare Hidden Files

# View file attributes
attrib *

# Make hidden files accessible
attrib -h UsrClass.dat
attrib -h NTUSER.dat

2. Process Multiple Hives

for /r %i in (*) do (C:\Tools\RegRipper\rip.exe -r %i -a > %i.txt)

User Account Analysis

1. Export SAM Database using Registry Explorer

   

2. Analyze with Timeline Explorer

   

User Behavior Analysis

UserAssist Analysis

Location: NTUSER.DAT Purpose: Tracks recently used applications

Additional metadata in value names:

Recent Documents

Location: NTUSER.DAT Analysis Tool: Registry Explorer

ShellBags Analysis

Location: UserClass.dat Purpose: Track folder access history

1. Registry Explorer View:

   

2. ShellBagsExplorer Analysis:

   

NTFS Analysis

MFT Analysis

Using MFTECmd.exe:

MFTECmd.exe -f c:\cases\E\$MFT --csv C:\Cases\Analysis\NFTS\ --csvf MFT.csv

Timeline Explorer Analysis:

Timestamp Analysis:

Program Execution Analysis

Background Activity Moderator (BAM)

Location: SYSTEM hive Purpose: Track recently executed programs

Amcache Analysis

Location: Windows\AppCompat\Programs

# Parse Amcache.hve
AmcacheParser.exe -f c:\cases\e\windows\appcompat\programs\Amcache.hve --csv c:\cases\analysis\execution

Prefetch Analysis

Location: C:\Cases\E\Windows\prefetch

Single File Analysis:

pecmd.exe -f c:\cases\e\windows\prefetch\ATOMICSERVICE.EXE-59E20F94.pf

Bulk Analysis:

pecmd.exe -d c:\cases\e\windows\prefetch --csv C:\Cases\Analysis\Execution\

Persistence Analysis

Key Areas of Focus

1. Auto-Run Keys
2. Scheduled Tasks
3. Services

Services Analysis

Search SYSTEM.txt for “services v.” or “svc v.”

Scheduled Tasks

Location: SOFTWARE hive Path: Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Scheduler\TaskCache\Tree

Autoruns Analysis

Tool: SysInternals Autoruns Method: “Analyze Offline System”

Event Log Analysis

Resources

• Ultimate Windows Security - Event Encyclopedia
• EventTracker Knowledge Base
• Awesome Event IDs

Analysis Process

Location: Windows\System32\winevent\logs

1. Import logs into Event Log Explorer

   

2. Key Event IDs:

   • Service Installation (7045)
   • Logon Events (4624)
   • PowerShell Execution (400)

3. Logon Analysis:

   

4. Sysmon Events:

   

References

• Microsoft Security Events
• Eric Zimmerman’s Tools
• SANS DFIR Resources