KAPE Analysis

KAPE, which stands for "Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor," is a forensic triage tool that allows investigators to quickly and efficiently collect and analyze digital evidence from a system. KAPE is especially useful for capturing artifacts such as registry hives, event logs, and file system metadata. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use KAPE for creating a forensic dump.

Step-by-Step Guide for KAPE Dump:

1. Download and Extract KAPE:

• Visit the official KAPE GitHub repository: KAPE GitHub.
• Download the latest release zip file.
• Extract the contents of the zip file to a directory on your forensic workstation.

2. Review Configuration:

• Navigate to the Targets directory within the KAPE directory.
• Review and customize the target files and settings based on your investigation needs. Target files specify what artifacts KAPE will collect.

3. Run KAPE:

• Open a command prompt or PowerShell window.
• Change the directory to the location where KAPE is extracted.
• Run KAPE with the desired target file. For example:.\Kape.exe @Targets\YourTargetFile.txt

4. Select Output Location:

• KAPE will prompt you to select an output location for the forensic artifacts. Provide a path to a directory where the output should be stored.

5. Review Results:

• Once KAPE completes its processing, navigate to the specified output directory.
• You'll find subdirectories containing the collected artifacts.

6. Artifact Analysis:

• Analyze the collected artifacts using forensic analysis tools appropriate for each artifact type.

Example Target File (YourTargetFile.txt):

• The target file specifies what artifacts KAPE will collect. Customize it based on your needs.

.log debug

.zipartifacts

.$CASENAME.$TARGET.$TIMESTAMP.zip

registry.system

registry.software

registry.security

registry.sam

registry.ntuser

registry.usnjrnl

registry.amcache

registry.srum

registry.svc

registry.dns

registry.usb

registry.usrclass

registry.classes

registry.setupapi.dev

registry.setupapi.pnp

registry.appcompat

registry.legacy

registry.policy

registry.winlogon

registry.services

registry.bcd

registry.computername

registry.sysmon

registry.winfirewall

registry.mbam

registry.antivirus

registry.bt

registry.usbfile

registry.networklist

registry.storageclass

registry.shellbags

registry.tln

registry.winetw

registry.arp

registry.process

registry.autoruns

registry.shimcache

registry.runonce

registry.prefetch

registry.userassist

registry.task

registry.muicache

registry.explorer

registry.firefox

registry.chrome

registry.office

registry.outlook

registry.tnef

registry.rdp

registry.iphlpsvc

registry.mstsc

registry.dhcp

registry.wireless

registry.wlan

registry.mrulist

registry.comctl32

registry.powerview

registry.ole

registry.group

registry.stig

registry.stigcomp

registry.stiguser

registry.stigserv

registry.shutdown

registry.ntds

registry.ntfs

registry.procdump

registry.loaddll

registry.killdll

registry.bho

registry.appinitdll

registry.driver

registry.kernel

registry.wdm

registry.winsock

registry.firewall

registry.scheduledtasks

registry.appidentity

registry.microsoft

registry.stuxnet

registry.mirai

registry.krabs

registry.recents

registry.mac

registry.print

registry.policy.ngc

registry.bashhistory

registry.set

registry.cryptnet

registry.kaspersky

registry.trendmicro

registry.mcafee

registry.symantec

registry.sophos

registry.avast

registry.pandasecurity

registry.bitdefender

registry.f-secure

registry.malwarebytes

registry.clamav

registry.trendmicro.dw

registry.trendmicro.av

registry.avg

registry.avira

registry.eset

registry.computernameinfo

registry.account

registry.machine

registry.localaccount

registry.samuser

registry.user

registry.runhistory

registry.network

registry.gds

registry.sfu

registry.ghostrat

registry.systemsthermal

registry.suspect

registry.powershell

registry.powershelltemp

registry.powershellrun

registry.powershellrunonce

registry.powershellcore

registry.powershellsnippet

registry.powershellmodule

registry.powershellhistory

registry.volatile

$end

Ensure that you customize the target file based on your specific analysis requirements.

Note: The above is just a basic guide, and you should tailor your use of KAPE to the specifics of your investigation. Always follow legal and ethical guidelines when conducting forensic analysis.

1. Review KAPE Output:

• Navigate to the directory where KAPE stored the output (usually a ZIP file). Extract the contents to a separate directory for analysis.

2. Examine Artifacts:

• Analyze each category of artifacts collected by KAPE. Common categories include registry hives, event logs, file system metadata, and more.

3. Registry Hive Analysis:

• Use registry analysis tools to examine the content of the collected registry hives. Tools like RegRipper, RegShot, or the native Windows Registry Editor can be helpful.

4. Event Log Analysis:

• Analyze the collected event logs (e.g., System.evtx, Security.evtx, etc.) using tools like Windows Event Viewer or third-party log analysis tools.

5. File System Metadata:

• Explore file system metadata such as file timestamps, attributes, and directory structures. This can be done using tools like FTK Imager, Autopsy, or the command line.

6. Timeline Analysis:

• Create a timeline of events based on the timestamps from file system metadata and registry hives. This can provide a chronological view of system activity.

7. Artifact Correlation:

• Correlate information across different artifacts. For example, correlate entries in the registry with corresponding events in the event logs.

8. User Activity Analysis:

• Investigate user activity by examining artifacts related to user profiles, user account information, and user-specific registry hives.

9. Network Analysis:

• If KAPE collected network-related artifacts, analyze them to understand network connections, DNS activity, and other network-related events.

10. Malware Indicators:

• Look for indicators of compromise (IoCs) within the collected artifacts. This may include suspicious registry entries, unusual processes, or unexpected network connections.

11. Artifact-Specific Analysis:

• Some artifacts may require specialized analysis. For example:For Prefetch files, analyze them to understand the execution history of programs.For ShimCache entries, investigate applications that were run on the system.

12. Scripted Analysis:

• Use scripts or automated analysis tools to process and analyze artifacts in bulk. This can be particularly useful for large datasets.

13. Documentation:

• Document your findings, including notable events, timestamps, and any indicators of compromise. This documentation is crucial for creating a clear and concise report.

14. Collaboration:

• Collaborate with other team members or experts to gain additional insights. Discuss findings and ensure that the analysis is comprehensive.

15. Advanced Analysis:

• Depending on the nature of the investigation, consider more advanced analysis techniques such as memory forensics, malware analysis, or network traffic analysis.

16. Reporting:

• Prepare a detailed report summarizing your analysis, findings, and any recommendations. Include information about artifacts analyzed, observed behaviors, and potential implications.

17. Iterative Analysis:

• Analysis is often an iterative process. If new information emerges or if deeper analysis is required, revisit specific artifacts or conduct additional analysis.

Remember to follow legal and ethical guidelines during your analysis, and ensure that your findings are documented in a clear and organized manner. Additionally, keep in mind that the specific analysis steps may vary depending on the nature of the case and the artifacts collected by KAPE.