ShmooCon 2014: ADD -- Complicating Memory Forensics Through Memory Disarray
Channel: Christiaan008
Date: 2014-04-27

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Speakers: Jake Williams | Alissa Torres

In this presentation, we'll present ADD (attention deficit disorder), a tool that litters Windows physical memory with (configurable amounts and types of) garbage to disrupt memory forensics. Memory forensics has become so mainstream that it's catching too many malware authors during routine investigations (making Jake a sad panda). If memory forensics were much harder to perform, then attackers would retain an upper hand. ADD increases the cost of memory forensics by allocating new structures in memory that serve only to disrupt an investigation.

We'll present some basic memory forensics techniques (just to set the stage for those who aren't familiar with the concepts). We'll explain how volatility, a core memory forensics tool, actually performs its analysis. In particular, we'll show how it locates hidden processes, drivers, and modules.

Next, we'll show how running ADD on a machine under investigation completely changes the memory forensics landscape. We'll show how an investigator must weed through astounding numbers of false positives before identifying the investigation targets.

Finally, Alissa will show how all is not lost. Even though ADD may confuse junior analysts, she'll show the invariants in memory that analysts should always be able to come back to complete their forensic analysis.