Incident Response & Digital Forensics

Timeline Reconstruction

  • May 9, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – Timeline Reconstruction

Reconstructing the Attack Sequence – Build an Accurate Timeline to Understand and Respond to Cybersecurity Incidents

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Timeline Reconstruction
Client Type: Enterprises, SaaS Providers, Cloud-Native Platforms, Government Agencies
Service Model: On-Demand Engagement & Retainer Support
Compliance Alignment: NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA

Timeline Reconstruction Covers:

  • Sequence of Events from Initial Breach to Final Incident Containment
  • Log Analysis for Event Correlation
  • Integration of Multiple Data Sources (System Logs, Network Logs, Application Logs, etc.)
  • Artifact and Evidence Correlation (File Changes, System Events, Network Traffic)
  • Root Cause Analysis and Attack Path Reconstruction
  • Forensic Investigation of Lateral Movement and Privilege Escalation
  • Data Exfiltration or Impact Assessment Timeline

2. Our Approach

[Preparation] → [Data Collection] → [Log & Artifact Review] → [Event Correlation] → [Timeline Construction] → [Root Cause Analysis] → [Forensic Reporting] → [Post-Incident Review & Playbook Update]

3. Methodology

  • Pre-Incident Setup: Ensure comprehensive logging mechanisms are in place (system, application, network, etc.) and time synchronization is configured across all devices.
  • Data Collection: Collect relevant logs from systems, firewalls, servers, endpoints, and network appliances. Include any digital artifacts (files, registry keys, etc.) for analysis.
  • Log & Artifact Review: Examine system logs (syslog, Windows event logs, application logs), network logs (firewall, IDS/IPS), and forensic artifacts (file system changes, registry entries, etc.).
  • Event Correlation: Correlate logs and events across multiple data sources to identify the start and end points of the attack, and to track adversary movement.
  • Timeline Construction: Map the sequence of events in a chronological order to create a clear and coherent attack timeline.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Identify how the attacker gained access, escalated privileges, and moved laterally through the network or systems.
  • Forensic Reporting: Document all findings in a detailed report, outlining the attack timeline, artifacts, IOCs, and the root cause of the incident.
  • Post-Incident Review & Playbook Update: Provide recommendations for network defense, security controls, and timeline-based attack detection for future incidents.

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. Comprehensive Attack Timeline: A detailed, chronological representation of the attack, from initial compromise to containment and recovery.
  2. Root Cause Analysis Report: A detailed analysis identifying how the breach occurred and how the attacker moved through the environment.
  3. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): A list of IOCs identified during the investigation, including file hashes, IP addresses, URLs, and more.
  4. Forensic Artifact Report: Documentation of key forensic artifacts (file changes, registry modifications, etc.) that helped reconstruct the timeline.
  5. Event Correlation Documentation: A record of how different logs, events, and artifacts were correlated to build the timeline.
  6. Post-Incident Recommendations: Guidance on improving defenses, including monitoring, logging, and incident response plans.

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • Access to Logs: Full access to relevant logs, including system logs, application logs, firewall and IDS/IPS logs, and any other relevant logs.
  • Access to Forensic Artifacts: Access to files, memory dumps, registry entries, and other artifacts that may assist in the timeline reconstruction.
  • System and Network Configuration Information: Details on the network and system architecture, including any segmentation, firewall configurations, and critical assets.
  • Incident Details: Any reports or observations that led to the identification of the incident, such as alerts, user reports, or abnormal activity detection.
  • Time Synchronization Setup: Ensure that all logs and systems have synchronized time stamps for accurate correlation.

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • Log Aggregation and Analysis:
    • ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) for centralized log aggregation and analysis
    • Splunk for log correlation and event analysis
    • Graylog for log management and event correlation
  • Forensic Tools:
    • X1 Social Discovery (to gather metadata and reconstruct the timeline of social activity)
    • Autopsy (for disk forensic analysis and timeline reconstruction)
    • FTK Imager (for disk and memory imaging and analysis)
    • Sleuth Kit (for file system forensics and timeline building)
  • Event Correlation:
    • TheHive (incident and case management)
    • MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform for IOC correlation)
  • Network Traffic Analysis:
    • Wireshark (packet capture and traffic analysis)
    • Zeek (formerly Bro, network analysis and traffic correlation)
    • Suricata (open-source IDS for network traffic inspection)
  • Memory Forensics:
    • Volatility (memory analysis for timeline and artifact identification)
    • Rekall (memory forensics tool to extract key evidence)

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Client Onboarding & Incident Briefing: Initial gathering of details and access credentials.
  2. Log & Artifact Collection: Gather logs, system configurations, network logs, and forensic artifacts.
  3. Event Correlation: Start correlating logs and events from multiple data sources.
  4. Timeline Construction: Begin constructing the attack timeline based on correlated events.
  5. Root Cause Analysis: Analyze the timeline and network movement to identify the root cause and attack vectors.
  6. Forensic Reporting: Document findings, including the attack timeline, root cause, and IOCs.
  7. Post-Incident Review & Recommendations: Provide recommendations for improving security posture based on the incident timeline and analysis.

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
Comprehensive Timeline Building Reconstruct attack sequences using logs, artifacts, and system data.
Root Cause Analysis Identify how the attacker gained access and moved laterally through the network.
Cross-Data Correlation Correlate data from multiple sources (system logs, network logs, application logs) to create an accurate timeline.
Forensic Artifact Analysis Leverage digital artifacts (file changes, registry entries, network traffic) to build a detailed incident timeline.
Post-Incident Recommendations Provide actionable steps to prevent future incidents based on lessons learned.

9. Real-World Case Studies

Phishing Attack Leading to Ransomware Deployment

Issue: A spear-phishing email was used to deliver malware that eventually resulted in a ransomware attack.
Findings: The timeline showed the initial compromise through phishing, followed by lateral movement in the network, and then the execution of ransomware. The attacker leveraged an unpatched system to escalate privileges.
Outcome: The detailed timeline helped identify the entry point and led to faster recovery. Recommendations included improving email filtering and patching vulnerable systems.

Insider Threat in Financial Institution

Client: A financial institution noticed unusual access patterns and data exfiltration.
Findings: A timeline was constructed showing when the insider first accessed unauthorized systems, their movement across the network, and the data exfiltration process.
Outcome: The timeline helped in identifying the insider’s tactics and the exact moment the data was exfiltrated. Legal actions were taken, and the institution implemented stricter access controls.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Log Collection & Preservation: Ensure that all logs are collected from relevant systems and preserved for analysis.
  2. Artifact Gathering: Collect key forensic artifacts such as memory dumps, disk images, and network traffic data.
  3. Event Correlation: Correlate logs and events across multiple systems (IDS/IPS, firewalls, endpoints, etc.) to identify attack sequence.
  4. Timeline Construction: Build a detailed timeline from the collected data, mapping the attack events in chronological order.
  5. Root Cause & Attack Path Analysis: Identify the root cause of the breach and map the attacker’s movement through the network.
  6. Reporting: Document all findings, including the attack timeline, IOCs, and any relevant evidence.
  7. Remediation & Recovery: Advise on steps to recover from the incident and strengthen defenses for future incidents.

11. Timeline Reconstruction – Readiness Checklist

1. Pre-Incident Setup

  • [ ] Comprehensive Logging: Ensure that systems are configured to capture detailed logs (syslogs, application logs, network logs, etc.).
  • [ ] Time Synchronization: All logs and devices should have synchronized timestamps for accurate correlation.
  • [ ] Access Control: Define and document access control policies for sensitive systems to minimize initial access risks.

2. During Timeline Reconstruction

  • [ ] Log Collection: Collect logs from all relevant systems (IDS/IPS, firewalls, application logs, endpoint logs).
  • [ ] Artifact Collection: Gather digital artifacts (files, registry changes, memory dumps) for analysis.
  • [ ] Event Correlation: Correlate events from multiple logs and sources to piece together the sequence of the attack.
  • [ ] Attack Path Identification: Reconstruct the attacker’s movement across the network and systems.

3. Post-Incident Response

  • [ ] Root Cause Report: Document the root cause of the breach and how it was exploited.
  • [ ] Timeline Report: Deliver a detailed timeline report, correlating the events in a chronological manner.
  • [ ] Recommendations: Provide actionable recommendations for strengthening security defenses, including changes to monitoring, patching, and access control policies.

4. Continuous Improvement

  • [ ] Lessons Learned: Incorporate findings from the timeline reconstruction into incident response playbooks.
  • [ ] Review Logs & Monitoring: Ensure that log collection and monitoring processes are updated to capture more detailed information moving forward.
  • [ ] Training: Regularly train staff on incident detection and response, including how to handle incidents that require timeline reconstruction.
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