What is Memory Forensics?

Understanding Memory Forensics

Memory Forensics examines volatile system memory (RAM) to discover hidden or advanced threats, particularly those operating without leaving footprints on disk. This discipline helps investigators identify running processes, network connections, cryptographic keys, injected code, and system artifacts that typical file-based forensic approaches might miss. Techniques involve capturing a memory image (e.g., via tools like WinPmem, LiME) and analyzing it with frameworks such as Volatility or Rekall. Analysts can detect indicators of advanced persistent threats, rootkits altering process lists, or fileless malware using legitimate processes to hide. Challenges include ensuring the memory capture doesn’t modify critical evidence, coping with massive dumps from high-RAM servers, and correlating ephemeral artifacts like ephemeral encryption keys or real-time malicious connections. Memory forensics is vital for modern incident response, often the difference between confirming a sophisticated intrusion and missing it. Organizations incorporate memory forensics into threat hunting, IR playbooks, and specialized training for security engineers. With extensive knowledge of OS internals and specialized tooling, memory forensics provides deeper insight into malicious activity that normal disk-based analysis cannot reveal.