Volatile memory dump to investigate a potential malware case.

 

Examine a volatile memory dump to investigate a potential malware case. Your analysis will primarily be done with Volatility Workbench, but you may also use other utilities to look at the disk from other perspectives. In Autopsy, the evidence can be imported as an Unallocated Space image to run intake scripts.

 

Sample Solution

Investigating a Potential Malware Case with Volatility Workbench and Autopsy

Here’s a breakdown of how to examine a volatile memory dump to investigate a potential malware case, primarily using Volatility Workbench with a secondary analysis in Autopsy:

Volatility Workbench Analysis:

  1. Loading the Memory Dump: Open Volatility Workbench and load the memory dump file (typically in RAW format) acquired from the suspect machine.
  2. Identifying Processes: Use the pslist command to list all running processes at the time the memory dump was captured. This provides an initial overview of active processes and potential red flags, such as processes with unusual names or high memory usage.
  3. Analyzing Suspicious Processes: Focus on processes that seem suspicious based on the pslist You can use commands like:
    • psscan: Analyzes loaded modules within a process, looking for known malware signatures.
    • procdump: Creates a memory dump of a specific process for further analysis. This allows detailed examination of the process’ memory space, potentially revealing hidden malicious code.
    • dlllist: Lists loaded DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) associated with a process. Malicious processes might inject unauthorized DLLs.
    • verinfo: Displays version information of a specific process or DLL, helping identify outdated or suspicious software.
  4. Network Analysis: Use commands like netscan or enumnetwork to identify network connections established at the time of the dump. This can reveal connections to known malicious domains or unusual network activity.
  5. Timeline Analysis: Tools like timeline or malwarefinder can be used to reconstruct the timeline of events leading up to the memory dump capture. This can help identify potential entry points for malware or suspicious activities.

Autopsy Analysis (Optional):

  1. Import the Memory Dump: Autopsy can analyze unallocated space images. Import the memory dump as an “Unallocated Space” image in Autopsy.
  2. Intake Scripts: Run intake scripts specific to memory analysis within Autopsy. These scripts might extract and analyze embedded files, network connections, and other artifacts from the memory dump.
  3. Correlation with Disk Forensics: If available, analyze the suspect’s hard drive using forensic tools within Autopsy. Correlate findings from the memory dump analysis with potential malware files or suspicious activity on the disk for a more comprehensive picture.

Important Considerations:

  • This is a high-level overview. Specific commands and techniques may vary depending on the suspected malware and the version of Volatility Workbench used.
  • Familiarity with memory forensics concepts and advanced usage of Volatility commands is recommended for a more thorough investigation.
  • Analyzing memory dumps requires expertise and interpretation; findings might not be conclusive and may require further investigation.

Additional Tools:

  • Besides Volatility Workbench, other memory analysis tools like Rekall can be used for cross-referencing and alternative approaches.

By combining Volatility Workbench with Autopsy’s analysis capabilities, you can gain valuable insights into potential malware activity. Remember, the success of this investigation depends on your expertise, the specific tools used, and the complexity of the malware involved.

 

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