Process and Memory Dump Analysis (Kernel Live Dump, RAM Dump)

Analyzing the system's volatile memory provides a snapshot of the system's state at the moment of acquisition, potentially revealing threats or activities that leave no disk footprint.

• RAM Dump (Physical Memory Dump): This is a bit-for-bit copy of the entire contents of the system's physical RAM. It captures the runtime state of all running processes, loaded drivers, kernel structures, network connections, potentially cached credentials, clipboard contents, cryptographic keys, and injected code or unpacked malware residing only in memory. Acquiring a full RAM dump requires specialized tools like FTK Imager, DumpIt (Comae), or Magnet RAM Capture. The resulting dump file (often .mem, .vmem, .raw) can be very large (equal to the amount of installed RAM).

• Kernel Live Dump: A more targeted dump focusing primarily on the Windows kernel memory space. It often includes process metadata, loaded kernel modules, and potentially recently used command lines, but typically less user-mode application data compared to a full RAM dump. Kernel Live Dumps can often be created while the system is running without causing instability (e.g., using System Informer's "Create kernel memory dump" feature) and are valuable for diagnosing kernel issues or analyzing kernel-mode rootkits, but also for finding command-line history.

Forensically, memory dump analysis is crucial for:

• Detecting fileless malware or cheats residing solely in RAM.

• Identifying injected code (DLLs, shellcode) within legitimate processes.

• Recovering command-line history used to launch processes, even short-lived ones (often found in kernel dumps).

• Analyzing active network connections and associated processes.

• Potentially recovering credentials or sensitive data present in memory.

• Finding hidden rootkit components (hidden processes, drivers).

However, memory analysis presents challenges, especially in a standard screenshare context: it's complex, requiring specialized tools and knowledge (like the Volatility Framework or MemProcFS for analysis); the data is volatile and represents only a single point in time; dumps are large; and acquisition/analysis raises significant ethical and privacy concerns due to the potentially sensitive user data captured. Therefore, while powerful, full memory analysis is generally reserved for dedicated incident response scenarios or performed only by highly trained individuals in specific, justified circumstances during screenshares. String analysis on kernel dumps using strings64.exe or bstrings.exe (as described previously for finding command history or injection artifacts) offers a more targeted and less intrusive approach applicable in some SS contexts.

RedLotus Kernel Live Dump Analyzer

Analyzing kernel memory dumps has proven to be one of the most effective ways to uncover traces of bypass techniques, especially those involving command-line execution or fileless methods. However, manually sifting through the vast amount of string data extracted from a dump file (.dmp) can be time-consuming.

To address this, a specialized tool, the RedLotus Kernel Live Dump Analyzer, has been developed thanks to the significant skill and effort contributed by Spok. This utility dramatically accelerates the analysis process, allowing for checks to be completed in seconds rather than minutes.

The tool operates with two primary features:

1. Automated Keyword Scanning: It performs an initial, rapid scan of the provided kernel dump file (.dmp) using a carefully curated list of specific keywords and strings known to be associated with common bypass methods and malicious command-line activity.

2. Manual Keyword Search: It provides an option for the user (the ScreenSharer) to input their own specific keyword or string, which the tool will then search for throughout the entire dump file, allowing for targeted investigation based on suspicions arising during the screenshare.

Capabilities:

This tool is particularly effective at finding command-line evidence related to a wide range of bypass techniques. Needless to say, commands used to perform actions such as:

• DLL injections/loading via Regsvr32.exe or RunDLL32.exe.

• Indicators of Fileless Execution (e.g., PowerShell commands using iex, iwr, encodedcommand).

• File Replacement methods utilizing command-line tools like echo or type.

• Executions performed via vectors like forfiles.exe or wmic.exe.

• Registry key or value deletions/modifications performed via reg.exe commands in CMD or PowerShell.

By automating the search for these critical indicators within the kernel dump, this tool significantly enhances the ability to detect sophisticated bypass attempts quickly and efficiently during a screenshare.