Memory Forensic OS Identification via Pattern Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incident Response Teams face difficulties in accurately identifying operating system types, memory management configurations, and virtual machine states in compromised computer systems due to the complexities of modern operating systems and the lack of accessible memory forensic techniques, making it challenging for non-experts to effectively respond to security breaches.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that access and analyze memory data to identify operating systems, memory management configurations, and virtual machine states by searching for specific characteristics and structures within system memory, enabling the determination of operating system type and version, memory management methods, and virtual machine status, thereby providing valuable forensic information without requiring specialized knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If memory forensic techniques are used to identify operating system characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory analysis process into distinct modules: scanning for identifying characteristics, analyzing distance between characteristics, determining operating system type and version, identifying memory management methods, and detecting virtual machine state. Each module handles a specific aspect of the forensic analysis, making the complex task manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that automatically performs the complex analysis of memory contents. This intermediary translates raw memory data into meaningful forensic information about operating system characteristics, shielding users from the underlying complexity while delivering precise identification results.
2Measurement precision
If detailed memory analysis is performed to identify system characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by scanning memory for identifying characteristics and pre-establishing the analysis framework before the actual determination process. The software is designed to immediately begin searching for known patterns and structures when memory is accessed, reducing the time required for comprehensive analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements efficient scanning methods that skip through memory contents strategically, focusing on key areas where identifying characteristics are likely to be found. By prioritizing the analysis of critical memory regions and using optimized search algorithms, the system rushes through the analysis process while maintaining high identification accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If memory forensic techniques are made accessible to IT professionals, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the software automatically performs the complex task of analyzing memory contents and identifying operating system characteristics without requiring user expertise. The system independently scans, analyzes, and determines system information, making the process as accessible as simply accessing the memory while maintaining expert-level analysis quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying techniques by creating and analyzing copies of memory structures and characteristics. Instead of requiring users to directly interpret complex memory data, the software creates simplified representations and comparisons of system characteristics, making the analysis accessible to non-experts while preserving measurement precision through accurate copying and comparison of key identifiers.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for employing memory forensic techniques to determine operating system type, memory management configuration, and virtual machine status on a running computer system. The techniques apply advanced techniques in a fashion to make them usable and accessible by Information Technology professionals that may not necessarily be versed in the specifics of memory forensic methodologies and theory.