In the realm of digital forensics, the quest for uncovering valuable artifacts extends beyond live system analysis. While it's commonly known that RAM is a volatile entity, leaving little room for post-shutdown exploration, there are hidden copies of RAM waiting to be discovered. One such treasure trove is the often-overlooked Windows hibernation file, "hiberfil.sys."
Understanding Hibernation Files
Hibernation files are automatically generated by Windows systems, especially laptops, during transitions into hibernation or power-saving modes. The file, named "hiberfil.sys," resides in the root directory of the system drive (usually "C:"). What makes this file special is that it encapsulates a complete copy of the system's RAM at the moment of hibernation.
Unveiling the Power of Hibernation Files
1. hiberfil.sys - A Memory Goldmine:
By copying the "hiberfil.sys" file, investigators gain access to a pre-existing memory image, offering a snapshot of the system's state when it entered hibernation.
Even if the system is currently up and running, analysts now have the opportunity to analyze two distinct memory images: the live dump and the one derived from the hibernation file.
2. Crash Dump Files and Page Files:
Crash dump files, particularly "memory.dmp" in the %WINDIR% folder, provide complete copies of RAM when a full crash dump occurs.
Windows "pagefile.sys" and "swapfile.sys" files contain parts of memory that were paged out to disk, offering additional insights.
3. Challenges and Future Considerations:
Windows 2016 introduces stringent requirements for drivers, impacting current memory acquisition tools. The adaptation of tools to meet these requirements remains uncertain.
Analyzing Hibernation Files
To analyze "hiberfil.sys," the process involves decompressing the file, understanding its structure, and extracting relevant information. Various tools facilitate this analysis:
- powercfg.exe:
This Windows tool manages the compression of hibernation files. Analysts can enable, disable, or modify the compression settings using powercfg.exe.
- Forensic Tools:
Tools like Volatility, Comae, BulkExtractor, Magnet Forensics Internet Evidence Finder, Belkasoft Evidence Center, and Passware offer capabilities to decompress hibernation files on-the-fly and perform string searching and data carving.
- New Arsenal Recon Tool - Hibernation Recon:
A recent addition to the arsenal, Hibernation Recon, not only decompresses hibernation files but also extracts leftover slack space for further analysis.
After running tool we will get bunch of output files
Types of output provided by Arsenal Recon.
Output example:
Conclusion
As we navigate the intricate landscape of digital forensics, hibernation files emerge as a valuable resource for analysts. Beyond the confines of live system analysis, these files provide a glimpse into the past, allowing investigators to reconstruct events and understand system states.
Akash Patel
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