Analyzing MFT for Deleted File Recovery

Overview

The NTFS Master File Table ($MFT) is the central metadata repository for every file and directory on an NTFS volume. Each file is represented by at least one 1024-byte MFT record containing attributes such as $STANDARD_INFORMATION (timestamps, permissions), $FILE_NAME (name, parent directory, timestamps), and $DATA (file content or cluster run pointers). When a file is deleted, its MFT record is marked as inactive (InUse flag cleared) but the metadata remains until the entry is reallocated by a new file. This persistence makes MFT analysis a primary technique for recovering deleted file evidence, reconstructing file system timelines, and detecting anti-forensic activity such as timestomping.

Prerequisites

Forensic disk image (E01, raw/dd, VMDK, or VHDX format)
MFTECmd (Eric Zimmerman) or analyzeMFT (Python-based)
FTK Imager, Arsenal Image Mounter, or similar for image mounting
Timeline Explorer or Excel for CSV analysis
Python 3.8+ for custom analysis scripts
Understanding of NTFS file system internals

MFT Structure and Record Layout

MFT Record Header

Each MFT record begins with the signature "FILE" (0x46494C45) and contains:

Offset	Size	Field
0x00	4 bytes	Signature ("FILE")
0x04	2 bytes	Offset to update sequence
0x06	2 bytes	Size of update sequence
0x08	8 bytes	$LogFile sequence number
0x10	2 bytes	Sequence number
0x12	2 bytes	Hard link count
0x14	2 bytes	Offset to first attribute
0x16	2 bytes	Flags (0x01 = InUse, 0x02 = Directory)
0x18	4 bytes	Used size of MFT record
0x1C	4 bytes	Allocated size of MFT record
0x20	8 bytes	Base file record reference
0x28	2 bytes	Next attribute ID

Key MFT Attributes

Type ID	Name	Description
0x10	$STANDARD_INFORMATION	Timestamps, flags, owner ID, security ID
0x30	$FILE_NAME	Filename, parent MFT reference, timestamps
0x40	$OBJECT_ID	Unique GUID for the file
0x50	$SECURITY_DESCRIPTOR	ACL permissions
0x60	$VOLUME_NAME	Volume label (volume metadata files only)
0x80	$DATA	File content (resident if <700 bytes) or cluster run list
0x90	$INDEX_ROOT	B-tree index root for directories
0xA0	$INDEX_ALLOCATION	B-tree index entries for large directories
0xB0	$BITMAP	Allocation bitmap for index or MFT

Deleted File Recovery Techniques

Technique 1: MFT Record Analysis with MFTECmd

# Extract $MFT from forensic image using KAPE or FTK Imager
# Parse the $MFT with MFTECmd
MFTECmd.exe -f "C:\Evidence\$MFT" --csv C:\Output --csvf mft_full.csv

# Filter for deleted files (InUse = FALSE) in Timeline Explorer
# Look for entries where InUse column is False

Identifying Deleted Files in CSV Output:

InUse = False indicates a deleted or reallocated record
ParentPath shows original file location before deletion
FileSize shows the original size (may still be recoverable)
Timestamps in $STANDARD_INFORMATION and $FILE_NAME attributes persist

Technique 2: USN Journal ($UsnJrnl:$J) Analysis

The USN Journal records all changes to files on an NTFS volume, including creation, deletion, rename, and data modification events.

# Parse USN Journal with MFTECmd
MFTECmd.exe -f "C:\Evidence\$J" --csv C:\Output --csvf usn_journal.csv

# Key USN reason codes for deletion evidence:
# USN_REASON_FILE_DELETE     = 0x00000200
# USN_REASON_CLOSE           = 0x80000000
# USN_REASON_RENAME_OLD_NAME = 0x00001000
# USN_REASON_RENAME_NEW_NAME = 0x00002000

Technique 3: $LogFile Transaction Analysis

The $LogFile stores NTFS transaction records that can reveal file operations even after the USN Journal has been cycled.

# Parse $LogFile with LogFileParser
LogFileParser.exe -l "C:\Evidence\$LogFile" -o C:\Output

# Look for REDO and UNDO operations indicating file deletion:
# - DeallocateFileRecordSegment
# - DeleteAttribute
# - UpdateResidentValue (clearing InUse flag)

Technique 4: MFT Slack Space Analysis

MFT slack space exists between the end of the used portion of an MFT record and the end of the allocated 1024 bytes. This area may contain remnants of previous file records.

import struct

def parse_mft_slack(mft_path: str, output_path: str):
    """Extract and analyze MFT slack space for deleted file remnants."""
    with open(mft_path, "rb") as f:
        record_size = 1024
        record_num = 0
        slack_findings = []

        while True:
            record = f.read(record_size)
            if len(record) < record_size:
                break

            # Verify FILE signature
            if record[:4] != b"FILE":
                record_num += 1
                continue

            # Get used size from offset 0x18
            used_size = struct.unpack("<I", record[0x18:0x1C])[0]

            if used_size < record_size:
                slack = record[used_size:]
                # Check if slack contains readable strings or attribute headers
                if any(c > 0x20 and c < 0x7F for c in slack[:50]):
                    slack_findings.append({
                        "record": record_num,
                        "used_size": used_size,
                        "slack_size": record_size - used_size,
                        "slack_preview": slack[:100].hex()
                    })

            record_num += 1

    return slack_findings

Correlation with Supporting Artifacts

Cross-Reference MFT with $Recycle.Bin

# Parse Recycle Bin with RBCmd
RBCmd.exe -d "C:\Evidence\$Recycle.Bin" --csv C:\Output --csvf recycle_bin.csv

# Correlate: $I files contain original path and deletion timestamp
# Match MFT entry numbers from $R files back to original MFT records

Cross-Reference MFT with Volume Shadow Copies

# List volume shadow copies
vssadmin list shadows

# Mount shadow copies and extract $MFT from each
# Compare MFT records across shadow copies to track file changes over time

Forensic Value

Deleted file metadata recovery: Original filename, path, size, and timestamps
Timeline reconstruction: File creation, modification, access, and deletion events
Timestomping detection: Comparing $SI vs $FN timestamps
Data carving guidance: MFT cluster runs point to file content on disk
Anti-forensic detection: Identifying wiped or manipulated MFT records

References

NTFS MFT Advanced Forensic Analysis: https://www.deaddisk.com/posts/ntfs-mft-advanced-forensic-analysis-guide/
MFT Slack Space Forensic Value: https://www.sygnia.co/blog/the-forensic-value-of-mft-slack-space/
MFTECmd Documentation: https://ericzimmerman.github.io/
SANS FOR500: Windows Forensic Analysis

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