- by x32x01 ||
What is Memory Forensics?
Memory forensics is the process of collecting and analyzing a system’s volatile memory (RAM) to uncover evidence of malicious activities. Unlike disk forensics, it focuses on live data - running processes, injected code, open network connections, credentials, and in-memory payloads that often leave no trace on the hard drive.Why is it important?
Detect advanced malware that never touches the disk.Investigate ransomware and in-memory attacks.
Recover decrypted payloads and stolen credentials.
Build a complete timeline of attacker activity.
Typical Workflow:
1. Document the environment - System info, time, and purpose of acquisition.2. Acquire the memory image - Capture RAM using trusted forensic tools.
3. Verify integrity - Generate cryptographic hash (e.g., SHA256) of the dump.
4. Offline analysis - Examine processes, DLLs, network sockets, and registry artefacts in a sandboxed environment.
5. Extract artefacts - Dump suspicious processes, recover credentials, and identify injected code.
6. Report & remediate - Document findings and guide incident containment.
What can you find in RAM?
Running processes with parent-child relationships.Suspicious DLLs and injected code.
Active network connections.
Decrypted content of malware.
Authentication tokens and plain-text credentials.
Volatile registry keys and loaded drivers.
Example Case:
A web server showed unusual outbound traffic. Investigators captured a RAM dump and found a hidden process mimicking svchost.exe with active connections to a malicious IP. The process contained injected DLLs and exposed plaintext API keys. This evidence confirmed an in-memory malware loader. With this knowledge, the response team isolated the host, reset credentials, blocked the attacker’s IPs, and patched the system.
Defense & Mitigation:
Deploy Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) for in-memory monitoring.Apply least privilege to restrict process execution.
Keep OS and applications fully patched.
Use multi-factor authentication and rotate credentials frequently.
Enable memory protection features (ASLR, DEP, Credential Guard).
Implement network segmentation to reduce lateral movement.
Maintain central logging and SIEM integration for anomaly detection.
Train IR teams to follow proper memory acquisition and chain-of-custody practices.
Quick Do’s & Don’ts:
Do: Capture memory quickly, hash the evidence, and analyze offline.
Don’t: Run unnecessary commands on the live system that could alter evidence.