Importance of Timestamp in Timeline Analysis while Forensic Investigations

Introduction:

Timestamp analysis plays a crucial role in forensic investigations, offering valuable insights into the timeline of events and activities on a system.

Understanding Timestamp Behavior in Network File Transfers:

When files are transferred over network shares using protocols like SMB, their timestamps behave similarly to local file operations. Despite being copied remotely, files retain their original modification time while being assigned a new creation time upon arrival at the destination host. This phenomenon provides forensic analysts with a clear "time of file copy," which serves as a pivotal point for investigative analysis.

Tracking File Movements and Lateral Movement Techniques:

By examining the creation time of transferred files, analysts can track the origin of the file and uncover insights into potential lateral movement techniques used by threat actors. For example, the creation time of an .exe file copied over SMB can indicate the time of file transfer, shedding light on unauthorized activities or malware execution on the remote system.

Utilizing Timestamp Analysis as a Pivot Point:

The creation time of transferred files serves as a valuable pivot point for forensic analysis, enabling analysts to delve deeper into the timeline of events on the remote system. By correlating creation times with other forensic artifacts such as event log entries and application execution events, analysts can gain a comprehensive understanding of the activities conducted by threat actors.

Enhancing Forensic Investigations:

Timestamp analysis provides forensic investigators with a powerful tool for detecting and responding to security incidents. By leveraging the mechanics of filesystem timestamps, analysts can uncover hidden insights, track file movements, and identify potential security breaches with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Conclusion:

Timestamp analysis is a cornerstone of forensic investigations, offering forensic analysts a window into the timeline of events on a system. By understanding the behavior of timestamps in network file transfers and lateral movement techniques, analysts can uncover valuable insights, track file movements, and enhance their ability to detect and respond to security incidents effectively.