Windows Forensics 24 Jan 2008 TCSS431: Network Security Stephen Rondeau Institute of Technology Lab Administrator

Agenda Forensics Background Operating Systems Review Select Windows Features Vectors and Payloads Forensics Process Forensics Tools Demonstration

Forensics Background Inspection of computer system for evidence of:  crime  unauthorized use Evidence gathering/preservation techniques for admissibility in court of law Consideration of suspect's level of expertise Avoidance of data destruction or compromise

Operating System Review What does an OS do?

Operating System Review What does an OS do?  starts itself  low-level management of: interrupts, time, memory, processes, devices (storage, communication, keyboard, display, etc.)‏  higher-level management of: file system, users, user interface, apps  addresses issues of fairness, efficiency, data protection/access, workload balancing

Select Windows Features Kernel vs. User Mode Kernel features (architecture)‏architecture  device drivers  installable file system  object security Services User accounts, passwords and privileged groups Security policies

Computing Devices: Simplistic Computing Device  takes some input  processes it OS, services, applications  provides some output Network  connects device Data Computing Device input output Hub

Computing Devices: Reality Human K/M/touch,etc. Data Scanner/GPS Data Storage Device, PC/Express Card, Network, Printer, Etc. In Out In/Out Human A/V

Computing Devices: Connections removable media  floppy,CD/DVD,flash,microdrive PC/Express Card wired  serial/parallel,USB,Firewire,IDE/SATA,SCSI/SAS  twisted pair wireless  radio (802.11, cellular, Bluetooth)‏  Infrared (IR)‏  Ultrasound

Vectors and Payloads Vector: route used to gain entry to computer  via a device without human intervention  via an unsuspecting or willing person's actions Payload: what is delivered via the vector  malicious code  may be multiple payloads  spyware, rootkits, keystroke loggers, bots, illegal software, spamming, etc.

Forensics Process Assess (after permission is granted)‏  determine how to approach affected system(s)‏  inspect physical environment  watch out for anti-forensics, booby-traps  consider how to stop computer processing Acquire  capture volatile data  copy hard drive Analyze

Volatile Data All of RAM, plus paging area Logged on users Processes (regular and services)‏ Process memory Buffers Clipboard Network Information (incoming and outgoing)‏ Command history

Nonvolatile Data Partitions Files  hidden, streams Registry Keys Recycle Bin Scheduled Tasks User Account and Group Information Logs

What to Look For Know baseline system: what to expect of good system Malware Footprint  in logs  on file system (changed dates/sizes, hidden)‏  in registry  in startup areas  in services list  in network connections Abnormality: function, performance, traffic patterns Cross-check with multiple tools

Microsoft Tools Basic Prevent: Windows Update, Time Service, Routing and Remote Access, LocalService, NetworkService, Runas Inspect: net user/group/localgroup, Active Directory Users and Groups, Event Viewer, EventCombMT, systeminfo, auditpol, Security Configuration Manager Fix: Malicious Software Removal, Security Configuration Manager Network tools netstat -anob, nbtstat, ping, tracert, arp, netsh, ipconfig File dir /ah, dir /od, dir /tc, findstr, cacls Services net start/stop, sc, services.msc Process: tasklist, taskkill, schtasks

External Tools  variety of Windows tools to monitor and analyze Helix  Windows tools Windows Forensics Toolkit™ trusted commands RAM/disk imaging, password recovery tools some toolswww.sysinternals.com  bootable to Knoppix with many file system tools

Advice For your systems:  Prevent: update, monitor, block, isolate, backup  Analyze: find vectors and payloads  Recover: off-network restore, re-install or re-image block vectors and/or payload effects before going on- network

References Windows Forensics and Incident Recovery, Harlan Carvey, Addison-Wesley 2005 Windows Forensic Analysis DVD Toolkit, Harlan Carvey, Syngress 2007 File System Forensic Analysis,Brian Carrier, Addison-Wesley 2005 Rootkits, Greg Hoglund and James Butler, Addison-Wesley 2006