STIX for Digital Forensics
The goal of the project is to explore and build an extended STIX™ (xSTIX), to exchange Cyber Forensic Intelligence (CFI). While STIX focuses on understanding, responding to, and mitigating computer-based attacks, the xSTIX allows cyber forensics communities to better understand what and how digital evidence is left on hosts and networks during these attacks and to reconstruct digital forensic-based crime scenes after attacks.
The xSTIX includes a set of Cyber Forensic Objects (CFOs). CFOs are CFI domain objects that are corresponding to concepts used in hosts and networks but are more intensively used for CFI, e.g., the concepts of file and webpage visits. Each CFO represents an event generated and recorded by firmware, drivers, operating systems, and software applications. The recorded event is often used to meet functional or non-functional requirements of a feature/system. For example, the Windows security feature requires logging all security-related activities for auditing; Google drive records all files' status for a faster local and remote files synchronization. CFOs are different from STIX Cyber-Observable Data objects because CFOs are pre-processed data in the context of CFI instead of raw data that Cyber-observable Objects want to describe.
We follow the STIX specification for customizing objects. The most important rule to create a new object type is that the value of the type property in a Custom Object SHOULD start with “x-” followed by a source unique identifier (like a domain name with dots replaced by hyphens), a hyphen and then the name. For example, x-example-com-customobject.
Table of Contents (updating)
- Cyber Forensic Objects (CFOs)
- Property Extension
- Other extension
Windows Event Object
Type Name: x-windows-evt
The Windows Event object represents an event generated by Windows OS, including applicatioin, security, steup, system, and forwarded-events.
Properties
| Property Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| type (required) | string | The value of this property MUST be windows-security-evt. |
| id (required) | identifier | The ID of a secuity type. |
| event_category | enum | The value of this property MUST come from the windows-event-category-enum enumeration. |
| created_time | timestamp | Specified the time the event was created. |
| source | string | Specifies the source/provideer of a event. |
| event_id | integer | Specifies a type of event. |
| task_category | string | |
| computer | string | The name of the computer. |
| user_account_ref | identifier | The user account that is associated with the evewnt. |
| saved_to_ref(required) | identity | Specifies object type that event object belongs to. It MUST be a type of file or artifact |
Relationships
| Source | Relationship Type | Target | Description |
|---|
Windows Event Category Enumeration
Enumeration Name: windows-event-log-name-enum
| Vocabulary Value | Description |
|---|---|
| application | |
| security | |
| setup | |
| system | |
| forwarded-events |
Example 1: describes a "logon" event recorded in the security event file.
[
{
"type": "x-windows-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-windows-evt--8e2e2d2b-17d4-4cbf-938f-98ee46b3cd3f",
"event_category": "security",
"created_time": "2021-01-06T20:03:00.000Z",
"source": "Microsoft Windows security auditing.",
"event_id": "4624",
"task_category ": "Logon",
"computer": "ryzen3790-xu",
"user_account_ref ": "user-account--68f0b7d5-f7ab-47d2-8773-739ceb1c11bb",
"saved_to_ref": "file--79e0da61-48e2-4552-874f-83d74262f39d"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--79e0da61-48e2-4552-874f-83d74262f39d",
"hashes": {
"SHA-256": "fe90a7e910cb3a4739bed9180e807e93fa70c90f25a8915476f5e4bfbac681db"
},
"size": 4518,
"name": "security.evt"
}
]
Example 2: describes a system event generated by CD-Rom
{
"type": "x-windows-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-windows-evt--8e2e2d2b-17d4-4cbf-938f-98ee46b3cd3f",
"event_category": "system",
"created_time": "2021-01-06T20:03:00.000Z",
"source": "cdrom.",
"event_id": "16388",
"computer": "informant-PC",
"user_account_ref ": "user-account--68f0b7d5-f7ab-47d2-8773-739ceb1c11bb",
"saved_to_ref": "file--e2dd9934-e6aa-440a-9d51-21ccf990c4f5"
}
Webpage Visit Event Object
Type Name: x-webpage-visit-evt
The Webpage Visit Event object represents a single visit to a webpage.
Properties
| Property Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| type (required) | string | The value of this property MUST be browser-history. |
| id (required) | identifier | The ID of a webpage visit event object. It is the ID we generated to identify each object. |
| entry_id | string | Specifies the unqie entry ID in a file (i.e., save_to_ref) that the event saved to. |
| url_ref | identifier | Specify a visit to a url. |
| title | string | Speify the title of a web page (if a URL is a webpage) that has been visited. |
| visit_time | timestamp | The last time visited. |
| visit_count | integer | The number of times visited |
| browser_ref | identifier | The value type for this property SHOULD software. |
| file_requested_ref | identifier | The ID of the file the http requested. |
| user_account_ref | identifier | The user account that is associated with record. |
| saved_to_ref(required) | identifier | Specifies object type that event object belongs to. It MUST be a type of file or artifact. |
Relationships
| Source | Relationship Type | Target | Description |
|---|
Examples
[
{
"type": "x-browser-history-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-browser-history-evt--8e2e2d2b-17d4-4cbf-938f-98ee46b3cd3f",
"url_ref": "url--9cc5a5dc-0acd-46f5-ae3f-724370087622",
"title": "B.S. in Cyber Forensics | University of Baltimore",
"visit-time": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit-count": 2,
"browser_ref": "software--b67a8d52-d438-4ace-8285-c6d485e34192",
"file_requested_ref ": "file--10624790-0e43-4498-89da-8979ab4215ae",
"user_account_ref ": "user-account--68f0b7d5-f7ab-47d2-8773-739ceb1c11bb",
"saved_to_ref": "file--843f6a43-0603-4e0d-84a4-198386eecf4f"
},
{
"type": "url",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "url--9cc5a5dc-0acd-46f5-ae3f-724370087622",
"v,alue": "https://www.ubalt.edu/cpa/undergraduate-majors-and-minors/majors/cyber-forensics/"
},
{
"type": "software",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "software--b67a8d52-d438-4ace-8285-c6d485e34192",
"name": "chrome",
"cpe": "cpe:2.3:a:google:chrome:88.0.4324.104:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"vendor": "Google"
}
]
Plug and Play (PnP) Event Object
Type Name: x-pnp-evt
The Plug and Play (PnP) Event object represents an event recorded by Windows Kernel-Mode Plug (pnp) and Play Manager. PnP manager is a combination of hardware technology and software techniques that enables a PC to recognize when a device is added to the system. With PnP, the system configuration can change with little or no input from the user.
Properties
The completed log properties can be access Microsoft office docs- Format of a text log section body
| Property Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| type (required) | string | The value of this property MUST be x-pnp-evt. |
| id (required) | identifier | The ID of a Plug and Play (PnP) Event object. |
| entry_prefix | enum | The values of this property MUST come from the message-type-ov enumeration. |
| time_stamp | timestamp | Indicates the system time when the logged event occurred. |
| event_category | string | Indicates the category of SetupAPI operation that made the log entry. MUST be one of predefined Event_category operation strings, e.g.device installation. |
| formatted_message | string | Contains the specific information that applies to the log entry. |
| saved_to_ref(required) | identifier | Specifies object type that event object belongs to. It MUST be a type of file or artifact (e.g., cache, memory), e.g., steupAPI.log |
Message Type Vocabulary
Vocabulary Name: message-type-ov
| ocabulary Value | Description |
|---|---|
| error | An Error message |
| warning | An warning message |
| other-info | Information message other than an error message or a warning message |
Examples
{
"type": "x-pnp-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-pnp-evt--58959aae-d1e0-4e12-a879-270efe33c6e3",
"entry_prefix": "other-info",
"time_stamp": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"event_category": "device installation",
"formatted_message ": "Device Install (Hardware initiated) - USB\\VID_0781&PID_5517\\4C5300124505311010593",
"saved_to_ref": "file--176353bd-b61d-4944-b0cd-0b98783c50b5"
}
File Visit Event Object
Type Name: x-file-visit-evt
The File Visit Event object represents properties that are associasted with a file/directory visited by operating systems or applications. The event is generated when a file is read, modified, executed, preloaded. etc. The event may be saved in different forms, e.g., file, cache, Windows registry, etc.
Properties
| Property Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| type (required) | string | The value of this property MUST be x-file-visit-evt. |
| id (required) | identifier | The ID of a File Visit Event object. |
| visit_type | enum | Specifies how file was visited. The values of this property MUST come from the file-visit-type-enum enumeration. |
| visit_time | timestamp | Specifies the time a file was visited. |
| visit_file_guid | string | The GUID of an application, e.g., {A3D53349-6E61-4557-8FC7-0028EDCEEBF6}} is Windows 8. |
| visit_count | integer | The total number of times the program has visited. |
| visit_file_ref (required) | identifier | Specifies the file or directory that was recently visited. |
| record_reason | open-vocab | Specifies a resaon why an event is recorded. It MUST come from the file-visit-evt-record-reason-ov open vocabulary. |
| created_by_software_ref | identifier | The softwre that is used to capture and save the event. The value of this property MUST be the identifier for a SCO software object. |
| saved_to_ref(required) | identifier | Specifies object type that event object belongs to. It MUST be a type of file (e.g., RecentFileCache.bcf or Amcache.hve), registry, artifact, or or directory. |
File Visit Type Enum
Vocabulary Name: file-visit-type-enum
| Vocabulary Value | Description |
|---|---|
| creation | A file was visited for creation. |
| reading | A file was visited for reading. |
| modification | A file was was visited for modification (content is to be modified). |
| updating | The meta data of a file was visited for changing (e.g. permissions) |
| execution | A file was visited for execution. |
| deletion | A file was visited for deletion. |
| preloading | A file was visited for preloading to memory. |
| prefetching | A file was visited for prefetching to memory. |
| loading | A file was visited for loading to memory. |
| unloading | A file was visited for unloading from memory. |
| other | |
| unknown | There is not enough information available to determine how file was accessed. |
File Visit Event Record Reason Vocabulary
Vocabulary Name: file-visit-evt-record-reason-ov
| Vocabulary Value | Description |
|---|---|
| userassist | Track every GUI-based programs launched from the desktop in the userassist registry key. |
| shimcache | Shimcache is created to identify application compatibility issues. |
| recentfilecache | RecentFileCache.bcf only containes references to programs that recently executed. |
| prefetch | |
| muicache | Support multiple language for software. |
| usnjournal | Store Update Sequence Number Journal. |
| shellbag | Store user preferences for GUI folder display within Windows Explorer. |
| jumplist | Represents a list of items and tasks displayed as a menu on a Windows 7 taskbar button. |
| mru | Most recently used files. |
| autorun | |
| mft | Master file table |
| applog | Logs generated by applications. |
RecentFileCache
RecentFileCache.bcf only containes references to programs that recently executed. setuputility.exe is recently executed.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--83aee86d-1523-4111-938e-8edc8a6c804f",
"visit_type": "execution",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file--7bd8980c-91eb-461a-a357-ae75a35374e6",
"record_reason": "recentfilecache",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--176353bd-b61d-4944-b0cd-0b98783c50b5"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--7bd8980c-91eb-461a-a357-ae75a35374e6",
"size": 25536,
"name": "setuputility.exe "
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--176353bd-b61d-4944-b0cd-0b98783c50b5",
"hashes": {
"SHA-256": "fe90a7e910cb3a4739bed9180e807e93fa70c90f25a8915476f5e4bfbac681db"
},
"size": 51164,
"name": "RecentFileCache.bcf"
},
{
"type": "software",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"name": "Windows",
"cpe": "cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:Windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"version": "7",
"vendor": "Microsoft"
}
]
Shimcache
Shimcache is created to identify application compatibility issues. Two actions/events that can cause the Shimcache to record an entry: (1) A file is executed and (2) A user interactively browses a directory.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--83aee86d-1523-4111-938e-8edc8a6c804f",
"visit_type": "executed",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file--7bd8980c-91eb-461a-a357-ae75a35374e6",
"record_reason": "shimcache",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "windows-registry-key--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--150c4200-02c6-475d-ac44-2d4e65de9f36",
"size": 5536,
"name": "twext.dll "
},
{
"type": "windows-registry-key",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "windows-registry-key--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016",
"key": "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\ControlSet001\\Control\\Session Manager\\AppCompatCache\\"
}
]
UserAssist
Windows System, every GUI-based programs launched from the desktop are tracked in this registry key HKEY_USERS{SID}\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserAssist. An Example of Security ID (SID) is S-1-5-21-394942887-4226445097-2438273937-1001.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--2bec785c-e1b0-4834-9a3a-9d04bd0749fe",
"visit_type": "execution",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file--674f8200-b56a-473b-9b1d-32a911ac5387",
"visit_count": 1,
"record_reason": "userassist",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "windows-registry-key--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--150c4200-02c6-475d-ac44-2d4e65de9f36",
"size": 55136,
"name": "WINWORD.EXE"
},
{
"type": "windows-registry-key",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "windows-registry-key--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016",
"key": "HKEY_USERS\\S-1-5-21-394942887-4226445097-2438273937-1001\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\UserAssist"
}
]
Prefetch
Prefetch preloads most frequently used software into memory. The Typeshows the chrome.exe-999b1ba.pf contains chrome.exe-999b1ba.exe, the time when the exe file is executed, last time executed, and how many times it was exeucted.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--2bec785c-e1b0-4834-9a3a-9d04bd0749fe",
"visit_type": "execution",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_count": 71,
"visit_file_ref": "file--674f8200-b56a-473b-9b1d-32a911ac5387",
"record_reason": "prefetch",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--150c4200-02c6-475d-ac44-2d4e65de9f36",
"name": "chrome.exe-999b1ba.exe "
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "af15a4b4b0c8378d1206336962d7b5b9"
},
"name": "chrome.exe-999b1ba.pf "
}
]
USNJournal
USN (Update Sequence Number) Journal records all files changes (e.g.., rename) that are made to volume.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--2bec785c-e1b0-4834-9a3a-9d04bd0749fe",
"visit_type": "modification",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file--674f8200-b56a-473b-9b1d-32a911ac5387",
"record_reason": "usnjournal",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--150c4200-02c6-475d-ac44-2d4e65de9f36",
"name": "Desert.jpg "
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "eaeb631cc86f85835dcad66766b8f3cc"
},
"name": "UsnJrnl_2020-11-28.csv"
}
]
Shellbags
Windows uses the Shellbag keys to store user preferences for GUI folder display within Windows Explorer to improve user experience and “remember” preferences. The following Type descrbes a USB drive is attached/visited.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--2bec785c-e1b0-4834-9a3a-9d04bd0749fe",
"visit_type": "read",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file--28d2e12c-c56c-4aaf-aeed-d0b69ccc601c",
"record_reason": "shellbag",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--14a4a46c-0957-4b9d-900d-35cb8379055c"
},
{
"type": "directory",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "directory--28d2e12c-c56c-4aaf-aeed-d0b69ccc601c",
"name": "My Computer\\E:\\"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--14a4a46c-0957-4b9d-900d-35cb8379055c",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "1741ab33fd6a05a4963564f36a043afc"
},
"name": "UsrClass_informat.dat"
}
]
Jumplist
Jumplist represents a list of items and tasks displayed as a menu on a Windows 7 taskbar button. The following Type shows a Jumplist of Word 2010 Pinned and Recent accessed files.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--2bec785c-e1b0-4834-9a3a-9d04bd0749fe",
"visit_type": "read",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-06T20:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file--28d2e12c-c56c-4aaf-aeed-d0b69ccc601c",
"record_reason": "jumplist",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--14a4a46c-0957-4b9d-900d-35cb8379055c"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--28d2e12c-c56c-4aaf-aeed-d0b69ccc601c",
"name": "winter_whether_advisory.zip"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--14a4a46c-0957-4b9d-900d-35cb8379055c",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "9857b91a6427496e72d779893e6d49fb"
},
"name": "a7bd71699cd38d1c.automaticDestinations-ms"
}
]
Lnk
lnk is a shortcut or "link" used by Windows as a reference to an original file, folder, or application. The example describes an event is generated when a file is accessed by a link.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--ac69c037-c578-4c5e-ad6a-23d53a0b1d6e",
"visit_type": "read",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-16T21:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file-8c33da4c-fb61-4658-b28c-a5c60f561d78",
"record_reason": "lnk",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--676b743a-3a56-4084-aeb5-fa9cfadf5663"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--8c33da4c-fb61-4658-b28c-a5c60f561d78",
"name": "(secret_project)_pricing_decision.xlsx"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--676b743a-3a56-4084-aeb5-fa9cfadf5663",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "9857b91a6427496e72d779893e6d49fb"
},
"name": "(secret_project)_pricing_decision.xlsx.lnk"
}
]
RMU
Most Recently Used files.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--8cdbf030-89d9-48be-b733-5f4900706f0e",
"visit_type": "read",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-16T21:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file-8c33da4c-fb61-4658-b28c-a5c60f561d78",
"record_reason": "rmu",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--a67ca75e-bda5-45e0-8bf0-b5884528d228",
"saved_to_ref": "file--676b743a-3a56-4084-aeb5-fa9cfadf5663"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--8c33da4c-fb61-4658-b28c-a5c60f561d78",
"name": "(secret_project)_pricing_decision.xlsx"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--676b743a-3a56-4084-aeb5-fa9cfadf5663",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "9857b91a6427496e72d779893e6d49fb"
},
"name": "informant.DAT"
}
]
MFT
A deletion was logged by MFT
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--9880e636-38b0-471a-8266-8a622a95b3a5",
"visit_type": "read",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-16T21:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file-f7d4aa7a-d02c-481e-8bdc-450cb0669b5d",
"record_reason": "mft",
"saved_to_ref": "file--19be1a16-4b87-4fc4-b056-dc9e0389d4bd"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--f7d4aa7a-d02c-481e-8bdc-450cb0669b5d",
"name": "desktop.ini"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--19be1a16-4b87-4fc4-b056-dc9e0389d4bd",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "64c6451132676e5a14e20d7d9283fa58"
},
"name": "$MFT"
}
]
AppLog
An event logged by Google drive. The event shows a file (happy_holiday.jpg) has been deleted.
[
{
"type": "x-file-visit-evt",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-file-visit-evt--9880e636-38b0-471a-8266-8a622a95b3a5",
"visit_type": "read",
"visit_time ": "2021-01-16T21:03:22.000Z",
"visit_file_ref": "file-8cdbf030-89d9-48be-b733-5f4900706f0e",
"record_reason": "rmu",
"created_by_software_ref": "software--764c3bcd-e053-46dc-b77d-51de1a311b39",
"saved_to_ref": "file--d5faf70b-36b8-437c-9137-6c0fc83b1e69"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--8cdbf030-89d9-48be-b733-5f4900706f0e",
"name": "(secret_project)_pricing_decision.xlsx"
},
{
"type": "file",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "file--d5faf70b-36b8-437c-9137-6c0fc83b1e69",
"hashes": {
"MD5": "64c6451132676e5a14e20d7d9283fa58"
},
"name": "sync_log.log"
},
{
"type": "software",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "software--764c3bcd-e053-46dc-b77d-51de1a311b39",
"name": "Windows",
"cpe": "cpe:2.3:a:google:drive:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
"version": "1.0.257",
"vendor": "Google"
}
]
Investigation Tool
Type Name: x-investigation-tool
Investigation Tools are software that can be used by cyber investigators to perform digital forensic investigations. This CFO MUST NOT be used to characterize malware and SDO tools.
Optional Common Properties: external_references
Investigation Tool Specific Properties
| Property Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| type (required) | string | The value of this property MUST be x-file-visit-evt. |
| id (required) | identifier | The ID of a Investigation Tool object. |
| last_modified | timestamps | The last modified date of the investigation tool. |
| description | string | A description that provides more details and context about the investigation tool. |
| tool_types | list of type open-vocab | The values for this property SHOULD come from the investigation-tool-type-ov open vocabulary. |
| aliases | list of type string | Alternative names used to identify this investigation tool. |
| tool_version | string | The version identifier associated with the investigation tool. |
| software_ref | identifier | Specifier the software that is used as the investigation tool. |
Investigation Tool Type Vocabulary
Vocabulary Name: investigation-tool-type-ov Investigation Tool Type is an open vocabulary that describes the type of the tools used for cyber investigations. It doesn't include common software, such as MS office, database etc.
| Vocabulary Value | Description |
|---|---|
| decryption | Tools used to perform decryption tasks. |
| decode | Tools used to decode data in a readable form. |
| data-recovery | Tools used to process of retrieving inaccessible, lost, corrupted, damaged or formatted data from disk storage. |
| data-carving | Tools used to reassemble useful information from raw data fragments when no filesystem metadata is available. |
| anti-steganography | Tools used to against steganography. |
| data_extraction | Tools used to extract information from file systems. |
| parse | Tools used to parse and/or decode files, including registry parsers and log parsers. |
| dump | Tools used to dump information from cache or memory. |
| unknown | There is not enough information available to determine the type of tool. |
{
"type": "x-investigation-tool",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "x-investigation-tool--c65a985d-dc31-441e-840b-54381cef4e31",
"name": "LogFileParser",
"tool_types": ["decode", "parse"],
"description": "This program decodes and parses $LogFile records and transaction entries.",
"external_references": [
{
"source_name": "LogFileParser",
"url": "https://github.com/jschicht/LogFileParser"
}
]
}
Extension for Windows Registry Key Object
We focus on extending the data property of registry value as the data may contain rich information that needs to be organized and formalized as digital evidence. The pattern of the extension is shown below. Note that the string "x_data" is assigned to "data" (e.g., "data": "x_data") as a place holder and x_data:[] is the extended property that contains formalized information of data.
{
"type": "windows-registry-key",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "windows-registry-key--2ba37ae7-2745-5082-9dfd-9486dad41016",
"key": "hkey_local_machine\\system\\bar\\foo",
"values": [
{
"name": "Foo",
"data": "x_data",
"data_type": "REG_BINARY"
}
],
"x_data": [
{
"type": "x-extended-type",
"id": "x-extended-type--83aee86d-1523-4111-938e-8edc8a6c804f"
}
]
}
threat-actor-type-ov external reference
| Vocabulary Value | Description |
|---|---|
| criminal-intellectual-property-theft | An individual that intentionally deprives someone of his or her intellectual property |
| criminal-ransomware | |
| criminal-business-email-compromise | |
| criminal-identity-theft | |
| criminal-spoofing-and-phishing | |
| criminal-memory-laundry | |
| insider-disgruntled-sabotage | |
| insider-disgruntled-violence | |
| insider-disgruntled-theft | |
| insider-disgruntled-fraud | |
| insider-disgruntled-espionage | |
| insider-disgruntled-embarrassing | |
| insider-disgruntled-harassing | |
| illegal-possessor | An individual that owns, produces, distributes illegal information and device. |
| online- predators | An individual that makes sexual advances to minors. |
references:
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/auditing/event-4608
- Event Logging Structures
- https://github.com/libyal/libevt/blob/main/documentation/Windows%20Event%20Log%20(EVT)%20format.asciidoc
- https://github.com/williballenthin/python-evtx
- https://www.loggly.com/ultimate-guide/windows-logging-basics/#:~:text=The%20Windows%20event%20log%20contains,For%20example%2C%20IIS%20Access%20Logs.
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/format-of-a-text-log-section-body