Digital Forensic Survival Podcast

Today, we’re going to explore how to handle a critical security event: Unauthorized Modification of Information. This type of event occurs when a user alters information in a system—whether it’s an application, database, website, server, or configuration files—without prior authorization. These modifications can range from impersonation and unauthorized system updates to more sophisticated techniques such as SQL injections, privilege escalations, and configuration file tampering.

This week I talk about the attack methods being used to bypass MFA. We'll learn about real-world cases where MFA was circumvented, and discover best practices to strengthen defenses against these types of attacks...

In today’s episode, we’ll focus on startup folders, which are perhaps the easiest to triage among all persistence mechanisms. But before diving in, let’s recap the journey so far to underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach rather than a one-off tactic. Each triage area we've covered plays a crucial role in identifying and stopping attacks...

In 2024, AI has not only revolutionized how we defend against cyber threats but also how those threats are being carried out. We'll explore how AI is enabling faster, more efficient security incident responses, with real-world examples of its application in automated threat detection and response, advanced forensics, and more. But with every technological leap forward, there's a dark side and attackers are harnessing AI to orchestrate sophisticated attacks...

SQL injection poses significant risks by enabling attackers to access sensitive metadata, execute dynamic SQL commands, and alter system parameters. These actions can lead to unauthorized data access and system disruptions, especially if attackers gain elevated privileges. This week I'm talking about SQL attack patterns from a triage point of view to help you detect such activity when doing log analysis...

I decided to talk this week about the Importance of Secure Coding Knowledge for Security Incident Response Investigations. Knowing secure coding principles helps identify the root causes of vulnerabilities and recognize attack patterns. It facilitates effective communication and collaboration with developers, ensuring accurate incident reports and actionable recommendations. Secure coding knowledge enhances forensic analysis by aiding in code reviews and log analysis to detect anomalies. It also allows responders to suggest mitigation strategies and improve the security posture of applications. Ultimately, this knowledge leads...

This week, we're covering zero-day vulnerability response from a Digital Forensics and Incident Response professional's perspective. In our roles, we often get involved in various tasks that require a security mindset, and one critical task is responding to zero-day vulnerabilities. To provide a real-world context, we'll integrate the recently disclosed zero-day exploit "Copy2Pwn" (CVE-2024-38213) and discuss the specific forensic artifacts and methods used to achieve the objectives of a DFIR response.

Welcome to this week’s session, where we’ll delve into web shell forensics—an ever-critical topic in incident response investigations and threat-hunting strategies. Today, I’ll provide a breakdown that includes the latest developments, detailed triage techniques, and practical examples of what to look for during your investigations:

Rootkits are hard to detect because they employ advanced stealth techniques to hide their presence. They can conceal processes, files, and network activities by altering system calls and kernel data structures. The deep system knowledge and specialized tools required for low-level analysis make rootkit detection complex and resource-intensive. Limited visibility of standard security tools further complicates the identification of rootkits. However, This week I'm going to talk about how to identify root kits on a Linux systems using only the command line.  

In previous episodes, we covered techniques for examining the Windows Registry, a critical component in identifying persistence mechanisms. We'll explore the registry but shift our focus to registry modification events as reported by Windows event logs

Bash history's forensic value lies in its ability to answer diverse investigative questions, making it a cornerstone artifact for Linux systems. It aids in triaging lateral movement, identifying reconnaissance activities, and detecting attempts at establishing persistence. This underscores the importance of structuring triage tasks around specific investigative questions, facilitating focused analysis amidst potentially extensive Bash history records...

The UserAssist key is a Windows Registry artifact that logs details about user activity, such as recently accessed programs and files. It encodes information on the frequency and last access time of items launched via Windows Explorer. This helps investigators understand user behavior and timeline of actions on a system, providing evidence of program execution and file access...

Every incident response outfit should have a set of guidelines for their team which outlines the standard actions or common considerations for security investigations. In this episode, I highlight some of the key points for security teams with a special focus on initial actions which typically set the tone for success during the subsequent investigation.

Understanding the different types of databases is important for security incident response investigations, as databases are often targeted by attackers seeking sensitive information. Each database type—relational, NoSQL, in-memory, and cloud-based—has unique structures, query languages, and security mechanisms. Familiarity with these variations enables investigators to effectively... 

CIS (Center for Internet Security) Benchmarks provide a comprehensive set of best practices for securing IT systems and data, which are vital for security response investigations. These benchmarks, developed through a consensus-driven process by cybersecurity experts, offer detailed guidelines for configuring operating systems, applications, and network devices to enhance their security posture. In the context of security response investigations, adhering to CIS Benchmarks helps ensure that systems are resilient against common threats and vulnerabilities. By implementing these benchmarks, organizations can better detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents, thereby minimizing potential damage and improving overall cybersecurity hygiene.

Business Email Compromise (BEC) forensics involves the meticulous investigation of cyberattacks where attackers infiltrate email systems to manipulate business communications for financial gain. These attacks often entail phishing, social engineering, and credential theft to impersonate trusted entities within or outside an organization. Forensic analysis of BEC incidents focuses on tracing the attacker's entry point, examining email headers, metadata, and logs to uncover the methods used for unauthorized access. It also involves identifying compromised accounts, understanding the scope of the attack, and preserving evidence for legal proceedings. Effective BEC forensics is crucial for mitigating financial losses, strengthening cybersecurity defenses, and preventing future incidents.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a crucial artifact in digital forensics due to its extensive use for remote system access. Analyzing RDP activities can uncover vital information about unauthorized access, insider threats, and attacker lateral movement within a network. Forensic examination of RDP logs enables investigators to trace an attacker's steps, identify compromised accounts, and assess the breach's extent. For instance, RDP forensics can detect brute force attacks on login credentials, track the use of stolen credentials, and monitor suspicious reconnection attempts to previously established sessions.

This week, I will be discussing the Linux operating system from a DFIR perspective. It is highly recommended for every examiner to become proficient in Linux, especially with the increasing prevalence of cloud-based infrastructures in enterprise environments. As these platforms become the norm, you can expect to encounter Linux systems frequently during your investigations.

In Windows forensics, understanding the intricacies of autorun functionalities and the Windows Registry is essential for effective incident response and investigation. Autorun mechanisms, which allow programs to execute automatically when the system starts or specific actions are performed, can be exploited by malicious actors to persist on a system. The Windows Registry, a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the operating system and applications, plays a crucial role in tracking these autorun entries. Forensic analysis of the Windows Registry can reveal information about auto-starting applications, system configurations, and user activities, providing insights into potential security breaches and unauthorized changes.

The JOHARI methodology simply provides a structure for something that you're probably already doing. However, with the structure comes a standard, which is the benefit to any security team. The team should be speaking the same language, especially in fast moving, dynamic situations. Going into a situation and asking for the "known – knowns” and “Blindspots" should register with every team member without any question about their definitions...