Network and Host Artifact Analysis

Network artifact analysis involves examining various types of network data to identify potential threats, malicious activities, and indicators of compromise (IoCs). Some common network artifacts and analysis techniques include:

1. Network Traffic Analysis:

   • Packet Capture (PCAP) analysis using tools like Wireshark or tcpdump

   • Network flow analysis using tools like Zeek (formerly Bro) or SiLK

   • Identifying suspicious communication patterns, data exfiltration, or command-and-control traffic

2. DNS Log Analysis:

   • Analyzing DNS query logs to detect communication with known malicious domains

   • Identifying potential domain generation algorithms (DGAs) used by malware

3. Firewall and Proxy Log Analysis:

   • Examining firewall and proxy logs for blocked connections, policy violations, or unauthorized access attempts

   • Identifying potential data exfiltration or lateral movement within the network

4. Network Metadata Analysis:

   • Analyzing network metadata, such as IP addresses, ports, protocols, and timestamps

   • Correlating network artifacts with other intelligence sources or threat actor TTPs

Host artifact analysis focuses on examining various types of data and artifacts collected from individual systems or endpoints to identify potential threats, malicious activities, or indicators of compromise (IoCs). Some common host artifacts and analysis techniques include:

1. System Log Analysis:

   • Analyzing system logs (e.g., Windows Event Logs, Linux system logs) for suspicious activities

   • Identifying potential privilege escalation, unauthorized access, or system configuration changes

2. File System Analysis:

   • Examining file system metadata (e.g., creation, modification, access times)

   • Identifying suspicious file changes, deletions, or additions

   • Analyzing file contents, signatures, or hashes for known malware

3. Registry Analysis (Windows):

   • Examining the Windows registry for suspicious modifications or entries

   • Identifying potential persistence mechanisms, autorun keys, or other malicious configurations

4. Memory Analysis:

   • Analyzing memory dumps using tools like Volatility or Rekall

   • Identifying running processes, loaded modules, network connections, or malware artifacts in memory

5. Artifact Timeline Analysis:

   • Constructing a timeline of events based on various host artifacts

   • Identifying potential attack patterns, lateral movement, or adversary dwell time

Both network and host artifact analysis play crucial roles in cyber threat intelligence and incident response. By analyzing these artifacts, analysts can uncover indicators of compromise, understand the tactics and techniques used by threat actors, and gain insights into the scope and impact of potential security incidents.

It's important to note that effective artifact analysis often involves correlating and enriching data from multiple sources, including threat intelligence feeds, vulnerability databases, and other contextual information, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the threats and enable appropriate mitigation and response strategies.