Memory Forensics

Comprehensive memory forensics skill for analyzing RAM dumps and volatile memory artifacts. Enables detection of malware, rootkits, process injection, credential harvesting, and other memory-resident threats that leave no disk footprint.

Capabilities

• Memory Image Acquisition: Guide acquisition of memory dumps using various tools (WinPMEM, LIME, DumpIt, FTK Imager)
• Process Analysis: Enumerate running processes, detect hidden/injected processes, analyze process trees
• DLL/Module Analysis: Identify loaded modules, detect DLL injection, find hollowed processes
• Network Connection Analysis: Extract active network connections, listening ports, socket information
• Registry Hive Extraction: Extract registry hives from memory for offline analysis
• Credential Extraction: Locate and extract credentials, password hashes, Kerberos tickets
• Malware Detection: Detect code injection, API hooks, SSDT hooks, IDT modifications
• String Extraction: Extract strings, URLs, IPs, and other IOCs from memory regions
• Timeline Generation: Create memory-based timelines of process execution and system events
• Rootkit Detection: Identify kernel-level rootkits, hidden drivers, DKOM techniques

Quick Start

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, ProcessScanner, MalwareDetector

# Initialize analyzer with memory image
analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/path/to/memory.raw")

# Get system profile
profile = analyzer.identify_profile()
print(f"Detected OS: {profile.os_name} {profile.version}")

# Scan for processes
scanner = ProcessScanner(analyzer)
processes = scanner.list_processes(include_hidden=True)

# Detect malware indicators
detector = MalwareDetector(analyzer)
findings = detector.scan_all()

Usage

Task 1: Memory Image Acquisition

Input: Target system requiring memory acquisition

Process:

1. Select appropriate acquisition tool based on OS
2. Verify tool integrity (hash validation)
3. Execute acquisition with minimal system impact
4. Calculate and record hash of acquired image
5. Document acquisition metadata

Output: Raw memory dump with integrity verification

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAcquisition

# Windows acquisition guidance
acquisition = MemoryAcquisition()

# Get tool recommendations
tools = acquisition.recommend_tools(
    os_type="windows",
    os_version="10",
    acquisition_type="live"
)

# Generate acquisition command
cmd = acquisition.generate_command(
    tool="winpmem",
    output_path="E:\\evidence\\memory.raw",
    format="raw"
)
print(f"Execute: {cmd}")

# Create acquisition documentation
doc = acquisition.create_documentation(
    case_id="INC-2024-001",
    examiner="John Doe",
    target_hostname="WORKSTATION01",
    acquisition_tool="WinPMEM 4.0",
    hash_algorithm="SHA256"
)

Task 2: Process Analysis

Input: Memory image file path

Process:

1. Load memory image and identify OS profile
2. Enumerate all processes (visible and hidden)
3. Analyze process tree relationships
4. Detect anomalous processes
5. Identify process injection indicators

Output: Comprehensive process listing with anomaly flags

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, ProcessScanner

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
scanner = ProcessScanner(analyzer)

# List all processes with details
processes = scanner.list_processes(
    include_hidden=True,
    include_terminated=False
)

for proc in processes:
    print(f"PID: {proc.pid}, Name: {proc.name}, PPID: {proc.ppid}")
    print(f"  Created: {proc.create_time}")
    print(f"  Command Line: {proc.cmdline}")
    print(f"  Suspicious: {proc.is_suspicious}")

# Detect hidden processes
hidden = scanner.find_hidden_processes()
for proc in hidden:
    print(f"HIDDEN: PID {proc.pid} - {proc.name}")

# Analyze process tree
tree = scanner.build_process_tree()
tree.print_tree()

# Find orphan processes
orphans = scanner.find_orphan_processes()

# Detect process hollowing
hollowed = scanner.detect_hollowing()
for proc in hollowed:
    print(f"HOLLOWED: {proc.pid} - {proc.name}")
    print(f"  Image path mismatch: {proc.image_mismatch}")

Task 3: DLL and Module Analysis

Input: Memory image and target process(es)

Process:

1. Enumerate loaded DLLs for target processes
2. Identify unsigned or suspicious modules
3. Detect DLL injection techniques
4. Compare loaded modules to expected baseline
5. Extract suspicious modules for analysis

Output: Module analysis report with injection indicators

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, ModuleScanner

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
module_scanner = ModuleScanner(analyzer)

# Analyze all loaded modules
modules = module_scanner.enumerate_modules(pid=4892)

for mod in modules:
    print(f"Module: {mod.name}")
    print(f"  Base: 0x{mod.base_address:x}")
    print(f"  Size: {mod.size}")
    print(f"  Path: {mod.path}")

# Detect DLL injection
injections = module_scanner.detect_dll_injection()
for inj in injections:
    print(f"INJECTION in PID {inj.target_pid}:")
    print(f"  Technique: {inj.technique}")
    print(f"  Injected DLL: {inj.dll_name}")
    print(f"  Source PID: {inj.source_pid}")

# Find unlinked modules
unlinked = module_scanner.find_unlinked_modules()

# Detect reflective DLL loading
reflective = module_scanner.detect_reflective_loading()

# Extract suspicious module
module_scanner.extract_module(
    pid=4892,
    module_name="suspicious.dll",
    output_path="/evidence/extracted/"
)

Task 4: Network Connection Analysis

Input: Memory image file

Process:

1. Extract active TCP/UDP connections
2. Identify listening ports and services
3. Map connections to processes
4. Detect suspicious external connections
5. Extract connection artifacts

Output: Network connection inventory with process mapping

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, NetworkScanner

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
net_scanner = NetworkScanner(analyzer)

# Get all network connections
connections = net_scanner.get_connections()

for conn in connections:
    print(f"PID {conn.pid} ({conn.process_name}):")
    print(f"  Protocol: {conn.protocol}")
    print(f"  Local: {conn.local_addr}:{conn.local_port}")
    print(f"  Remote: {conn.remote_addr}:{conn.remote_port}")
    print(f"  State: {conn.state}")

# Find connections to suspicious IPs
suspicious = net_scanner.find_suspicious_connections(
    threat_intel_feed="/feeds/malicious_ips.txt"
)

# Get listening ports
listening = net_scanner.get_listening_ports()
for port in listening:
    print(f"Port {port.port}/{port.protocol} - PID {port.pid}")

# Detect covert channels
covert = net_scanner.detect_covert_channels()

# Export to CSV
net_scanner.export_connections("/evidence/network_connections.csv")

Task 5: Credential Extraction

Input: Memory image file

Process:

1. Locate credential storage structures
2. Extract password hashes (NTLM, LM)
3. Find Kerberos tickets
4. Identify cached credentials
5. Extract plaintext passwords (if available)

Output: Extracted credentials for further analysis

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, CredentialExtractor

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
cred_extractor = CredentialExtractor(analyzer)

# Extract all credentials
credentials = cred_extractor.extract_all()

# Get NTLM hashes
ntlm_hashes = cred_extractor.get_ntlm_hashes()
for cred in ntlm_hashes:
    print(f"User: {cred.username}")
    print(f"Domain: {cred.domain}")
    print(f"NTLM Hash: {cred.ntlm_hash}")

# Extract Kerberos tickets
tickets = cred_extractor.get_kerberos_tickets()
for ticket in tickets:
    print(f"Service: {ticket.service_name}")
    print(f"Client: {ticket.client_name}")
    print(f"Expiry: {ticket.expiry_time}")

# Find LSA secrets
lsa_secrets = cred_extractor.get_lsa_secrets()

# Extract cached domain credentials
cached = cred_extractor.get_cached_credentials()

# Export credentials report
cred_extractor.export_report("/evidence/credentials_report.json")

Task 6: Malware Detection

Input: Memory image file

Process:

1. Scan for known malware signatures
2. Detect code injection techniques
3. Identify API hooks and SSDT modifications
4. Find hidden/rootkit artifacts
5. Analyze suspicious memory regions

Output: Malware detection findings with IOCs

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, MalwareDetector

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
detector = MalwareDetector(analyzer)

# Run comprehensive malware scan
findings = detector.scan_all()

# Detect code injection
injections = detector.detect_code_injection()
for inj in injections:
    print(f"Injection found in PID {inj.pid}:")
    print(f"  Type: {inj.injection_type}")
    print(f"  Address: 0x{inj.address:x}")
    print(f"  Size: {inj.size}")

# Scan with YARA rules
yara_matches = detector.scan_yara(
    rules_path="/rules/malware_rules.yar"
)
for match in yara_matches:
    print(f"YARA Match: {match.rule_name}")
    print(f"  PID: {match.pid}")
    print(f"  Offset: 0x{match.offset:x}")

# Detect API hooks
hooks = detector.detect_api_hooks()
for hook in hooks:
    print(f"Hook: {hook.function_name}")
    print(f"  Original: 0x{hook.original_address:x}")
    print(f"  Hooked: 0x{hook.hook_address:x}")

# Check SSDT integrity
ssdt_mods = detector.check_ssdt()

# Detect DKOM (Direct Kernel Object Manipulation)
dkom = detector.detect_dkom()

# Export IOCs
detector.export_iocs("/evidence/memory_iocs.json")

Task 7: Registry Analysis from Memory

Input: Memory image file

Process:

1. Locate registry hives in memory
2. Extract hives to disk
3. Parse registry keys and values
4. Identify suspicious registry entries
5. Extract persistence mechanisms

Output: Registry analysis with persistence indicators

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, RegistryAnalyzer

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
reg_analyzer = RegistryAnalyzer(analyzer)

# List available registry hives
hives = reg_analyzer.list_hives()
for hive in hives:
    print(f"Hive: {hive.name} at 0x{hive.virtual_address:x}")

# Extract hive to file
reg_analyzer.extract_hive(
    hive_name="SYSTEM",
    output_path="/evidence/SYSTEM_hive"
)

# Query specific key
value = reg_analyzer.query_key(
    hive="SOFTWARE",
    key_path="Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run"
)

# Find persistence mechanisms
persistence = reg_analyzer.find_persistence()
for entry in persistence:
    print(f"Persistence: {entry.location}")
    print(f"  Value: {entry.value}")
    print(f"  Type: {entry.persistence_type}")

# Get recently modified keys
recent = reg_analyzer.get_recent_modifications(hours=24)

# Search registry for pattern
matches = reg_analyzer.search(pattern="*.exe", include_values=True)

Task 8: String and IOC Extraction

Input: Memory image or specific memory regions

Process:

1. Extract ASCII and Unicode strings
2. Identify URLs, IPs, domains
3. Find email addresses and file paths
4. Extract potential C2 indicators
5. Correlate IOCs with threat intelligence

Output: Extracted IOCs categorized by type

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, IOCExtractor

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
ioc_extractor = IOCExtractor(analyzer)

# Extract all IOCs
iocs = ioc_extractor.extract_all()

# Get URLs
urls = ioc_extractor.extract_urls()
for url in urls:
    print(f"URL: {url.value}")
    print(f"  Found at: 0x{url.offset:x}")
    print(f"  Process: {url.process_name}")

# Get IP addresses
ips = ioc_extractor.extract_ips()
for ip in ips:
    print(f"IP: {ip.value} ({ip.geo_location})")

# Get domains
domains = ioc_extractor.extract_domains()

# Get file paths
paths = ioc_extractor.extract_file_paths()

# Extract strings from specific process
proc_strings = ioc_extractor.extract_strings(
    pid=4892,
    min_length=4,
    encoding="both"  # ascii and unicode
)

# Correlate with threat intel
enriched = ioc_extractor.enrich_iocs(
    threat_feed="/feeds/threat_intel.json"
)

# Export IOCs in STIX format
ioc_extractor.export_stix("/evidence/memory_iocs.stix")

Task 9: Rootkit Detection

Input: Memory image file

Process:

1. Check kernel integrity
2. Detect hidden drivers
3. Analyze SSDT/IDT modifications
4. Find DKOM artifacts
5. Identify inline kernel hooks

Output: Rootkit detection results with remediation guidance

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, RootkitDetector

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
rootkit_detector = RootkitDetector(analyzer)

# Run comprehensive rootkit scan
results = rootkit_detector.scan_all()

# Check for hidden drivers
hidden_drivers = rootkit_detector.find_hidden_drivers()
for driver in hidden_drivers:
    print(f"Hidden Driver: {driver.name}")
    print(f"  Base: 0x{driver.base:x}")
    print(f"  Size: {driver.size}")

# Analyze SSDT
ssdt_hooks = rootkit_detector.analyze_ssdt()
for hook in ssdt_hooks:
    print(f"SSDT Hook: {hook.function}")
    print(f"  Expected: 0x{hook.expected:x}")
    print(f"  Actual: 0x{hook.actual:x}")

# Check IDT (Interrupt Descriptor Table)
idt_mods = rootkit_detector.analyze_idt()

# Detect inline hooks in kernel
inline_hooks = rootkit_detector.detect_inline_hooks()

# Check kernel callbacks
callbacks = rootkit_detector.analyze_callbacks()
for cb in callbacks:
    print(f"Callback: {cb.type}")
    print(f"  Address: 0x{cb.address:x}")
    print(f"  Module: {cb.module}")

# Generate rootkit report
rootkit_detector.generate_report("/evidence/rootkit_analysis.html")

Task 10: Memory Timeline Analysis

Input: Memory image file

Process:

1. Extract timestamps from memory structures
2. Correlate process creation times
3. Analyze recent file handles
4. Build execution timeline
5. Identify temporal anomalies

Output: Memory-based timeline of system activity

Example:

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, MemoryTimeline

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/memory.raw")
timeline = MemoryTimeline(analyzer)

# Generate comprehensive timeline
events = timeline.generate()

for event in events:
    print(f"{event.timestamp}: {event.event_type}")
    print(f"  Source: {event.source}")
    print(f"  Details: {event.details}")

# Get process timeline
proc_timeline = timeline.get_process_timeline()

# Get network timeline
net_timeline = timeline.get_network_timeline()

# Find events around specific time
window = timeline.get_events_around(
    timestamp="2024-01-15T10:30:00",
    window_minutes=30
)

# Export to timeline format
timeline.export_csv("/evidence/memory_timeline.csv")
timeline.export_json("/evidence/memory_timeline.json")

# Generate visual timeline
timeline.generate_html_report("/evidence/timeline_report.html")

Configuration

Environment Variables

Variable	Description	Required	Default
VOLATILITY_PATH	Path to Volatility installation	No	System PATH
YARA_RULES_PATH	Default YARA rules directory	No	./rules
SYMBOL_PATH	Path to debug symbols	No	None
THREAT_INTEL_FEED	Threat intelligence feed URL	No	None

Options

Option	Type	Description
profile	string	Force specific OS profile
output_format	string	Output format (json, csv, html)
verbose	boolean	Enable verbose output
use_yara	boolean	Enable YARA scanning
parallel	boolean	Enable parallel processing

Examples

Example 1: Incident Response Memory Analysis

Scenario: Investigating a potential ransomware infection

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, ProcessScanner, MalwareDetector, NetworkScanner

# Load memory dump from infected system
analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/infected_host.raw")

# Step 1: Identify suspicious processes
scanner = ProcessScanner(analyzer)
suspicious = scanner.find_suspicious_processes()
print(f"Found {len(suspicious)} suspicious processes")

# Step 2: Check for known ransomware indicators
detector = MalwareDetector(analyzer)
ransomware_iocs = detector.scan_yara("/rules/ransomware.yar")

# Step 3: Identify C2 connections
net_scanner = NetworkScanner(analyzer)
external_conns = net_scanner.find_external_connections()
suspicious_c2 = net_scanner.check_against_threat_intel("/feeds/c2_ips.txt")

# Step 4: Extract encryption keys (if in memory)
keys = detector.find_crypto_keys()

# Step 5: Generate comprehensive report
analyzer.generate_report(
    output_path="/evidence/ransomware_analysis.html",
    include_timeline=True,
    include_iocs=True
)

Example 2: Credential Theft Investigation

Scenario: Investigating Mimikatz or similar credential harvesting

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, CredentialExtractor, ProcessScanner

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/dc_memory.raw")

# Look for Mimikatz artifacts
scanner = ProcessScanner(analyzer)
mimikatz_indicators = scanner.search_command_lines(
    patterns=["sekurlsa", "logonpasswords", "lsadump"]
)

# Extract compromised credentials
extractor = CredentialExtractor(analyzer)
credentials = extractor.extract_all()

# Check for Kerberos ticket theft (Golden/Silver ticket)
tickets = extractor.get_kerberos_tickets()
for ticket in tickets:
    if ticket.is_suspicious():
        print(f"ALERT: Suspicious ticket for {ticket.service_name}")

# Document affected accounts
extractor.generate_affected_accounts_report("/evidence/compromised_accounts.csv")

Example 3: Rootkit Investigation

Scenario: Investigating suspected kernel-level compromise

from memory_forensics import MemoryAnalyzer, RootkitDetector, ModuleScanner

analyzer = MemoryAnalyzer("/evidence/server_memory.raw")

# Comprehensive rootkit analysis
rootkit_detector = RootkitDetector(analyzer)

# Check kernel integrity
integrity = rootkit_detector.verify_kernel_integrity()
if not integrity.is_clean:
    print("ALERT: Kernel modifications detected!")
    for mod in integrity.modifications:
        print(f"  - {mod.description}")

# Find hidden components
hidden_drivers = rootkit_detector.find_hidden_drivers()
hidden_processes = rootkit_detector.find_hidden_processes()

# Analyze all hooks
all_hooks = rootkit_detector.find_all_hooks()

# Generate remediation guidance
rootkit_detector.generate_remediation_guide("/evidence/rootkit_remediation.md")

Limitations

• Memory analysis accuracy depends on image acquisition quality
• Encrypted memory regions may not be analyzable
• Some anti-forensics techniques may evade detection
• Profile identification may fail for custom or rare OS versions
• Large memory dumps (>32GB) may require significant processing time
• Credential extraction requires appropriate access permissions
• YARA scanning effectiveness depends on rule quality

Troubleshooting

Common Issue 1: Profile Detection Failure

Problem: Unable to automatically detect OS profile Solution:

• Manually specify profile using --profile option
• Ensure memory image is not corrupted
• Check if OS version is supported

Common Issue 2: Incomplete Process Listing

Problem: Known processes not appearing in output Solution:

• Enable hidden process detection
• Check for memory corruption
• Verify image acquisition was complete

Common Issue 3: Slow Analysis Performance

Problem: Analysis taking too long Solution:

• Enable parallel processing
• Use targeted scans instead of full analysis
• Ensure adequate system resources

Common Issue 4: YARA Scan Errors

Problem: YARA rules failing to load Solution:

• Validate YARA rule syntax
• Check rule file encoding (UTF-8)
• Update YARA to latest version

Related Skills

• disk-forensics: Complements memory analysis with persistent storage investigation
• malware-forensics: Detailed malware analysis of extracted samples
• timeline-forensics: Integrate memory timeline with other data sources
• artifact-collection: Evidence collection and preservation procedures
• incident-response: Overall IR workflow integration

References

• Memory Analysis Reference
• Volatility Plugin Guide
• Memory Acquisition Best Practices