In today’s cyber threat landscape, digital forensics professionals are constantly challenged to uncover hidden traces of malicious activities. SRUM-DUMP v3 is a state-of-the-art forensic tool that leverages the native Windows SRUM database to provide deep insights into malware behavior—even when traditional logging and EDR solutions fail. In this guide, we will take you through an in-depth analysis of SRUM-DUMP v3 and demonstrate how it can be used to detect malware activities, such as data exfiltration by programs like malware.exe.
Why SRUM-DUMP v3 Matters for Malware Forensics
Unlike conventional endpoint detection and response tools, SRUM-DUMP v3 capitalizes on Windows’ built-in System Resource Usage Monitor (SRUM) database (located at C:\Windows\System32\sru\srudb.dat). This database logs system resource usage for up to 30 days and provides invaluable artifacts for forensic timeline reconstruction and network activity analysis. By extracting precise evidence from the SRUM database, incident response teams can analyze and correlate events, even in the absence of comprehensive application logging.
How Does SRUM-DUMP v3 Improve Incident Response?
SRUM-DUMP v3 is a breakthrough in malware investigation software, offering several key features designed to streamline the forensic process:
- 3-Step Wizard for Rapid Analysis: A user-friendly GUI guides you step-by-step through selecting the output directory, SRUM database file (srudb.dat), and even the SOFTWARE registry hive for enhanced network data mapping.
- Customizable Configuration: With the auto-generated srum_dump_config.json file, you can easily tag suspicious keywords such as malware.exe, ensuring that any instance of this executable is highlighted in your final report.
- Automated Artifact Detection: The tool allows you to pre-define tags for suspect processes, users, and network events, turning raw data into actionable intelligence.
- Comprehensive XLSX Analysis: All detected artifacts are organized into a multi-tab Excel spreadsheet, where each tab, such as the Application Timeline and Network Data, can be meticulously analyzed.
Using SRUM-DUMP v3’s GUI: Step-by-Step Analysis
SRUM-DUMP v3 guides you through a simple yet powerful GUI workflow that transforms complex forensic tasks into a seamless process. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Launch the 3-Step Wizard
Begin by running the prebuilt executable, available on the GitHub Releases page. Once launched, follow these steps:
- Select an Output Directory: Choose an empty folder where the tool will save the configuration and analysis spreadsheet.
- Select the SRUM Database: Locate and select the srudb.dat file either from a forensic image or directly from
C:\Windows\System32\sru\srudb.daton a live system. - Optional – Load the SOFTWARE Registry Hive: Providing the SOFTWARE hive (
C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE) enriches the analysis by mapping network interface identifiers (LUIDs) with corresponding SSIDs.
Step 2: Customize the Configuration
After file selection, SRUM-DUMP v3 processes the data and generates an editable srum_dump_config.json file. Editing this file allows you to highlight specific artifacts. For example, add the entry below to flag malware.exe in red:
{
"dirty_words": {
"malware.exe": "highlight-red"
}
}
You can also tag compromised users or suspicious networks. For instance, you might map a user SID to a compromised account or flag a wireless SSID (like CorporateWiFi) as suspect. Once customized, save the configuration and click the “CONFIRM” button to proceed with the analysis.
Step 3: Generate and Review the Spreadsheet
After confirming the configuration, click “CONTINUE” to run the forensic analysis. SRUM-DUMP v3 will extract and sift through the SRUM data, outputting the results into an Excel spreadsheet. This comprehensive report contains multiple tabs that detail every facet of the data:
- Application Timeline Tab: Lists all application execution events, including the execution of malware.exe with relevant details such as user SID, timestamps, CPU usage, and memory consumption.
- Network Data Tab: Documents network activity such as data transfers, interface identifiers, and correlated timestamps that may indicate data exfiltration.
Where Does malware.exe Appear?
The analysis spreadsheet is segmented into various tabs, each providing unique insights. For malware investigations, two tabs are particularly important:
Application Timeline Tab
This tab captures every instance of application execution in the past 30 days. Key details include:
- AppId: The name of the executable (e.g., malware.exe), which will be automatically highlighted if identified in your configuration file.
- UserSid: The security identifier of the account executing the application, which can be mapped to a username.
- TimeStamp: The exact times when the application was executed.
- Resource Metrics: Such as CPU cycle counts and working set sizes, providing insights into the operational behavior of the application.
Network Data Tab
This tab records all network activity logged by the SRUM database. Even if malware.exe is not explicitly listed, matching timestamps between the Application Timeline and Network Data can reveal patterns of data exfiltration. Key points include:
- Interface Identifier: Normally represented by a numeric code that, when combined with the SOFTWARE hive data, can be mapped to an SSID like CorporateWiFi.
- BytesSent/BytesRecvd: Indicators of high data throughput during the malware execution period.
- Timestamps: Crucial for correlating system resource usage with network events.
Correlating Evidence for a Comprehensive Forensics Analysis
The true power of SRUM-DUMP v3 is realized when you intersect the data from multiple sources:
- Identify the Malicious Activity: In the Application Timeline, find instances when malware.exe is executed. The red highlight provides a quick visual cue.
- Analyze Network Behavior: Use the Network Data tab to review high-volume data transfers that correlate with the suspicious application execution.
- Reconstruct the Timeline: Combine timestamps from both tabs to create a detailed narrative of the incident, providing clear evidence of data exfiltration.
Download and Start Your Forensics Journey
SRUM-DUMP v3 is more than just a forensic tool—it is a threat hunting toolkit that empowers cybersecurity professionals to uncover covert operations and safeguard critical data. Ready to streamline your forensic analysis and tackle even the most elusive malware outbreaks?
Start now by downloading the prebuilt executable from the GitHub Releases page and explore advanced customization options in the customize JSON configurations documentation.
Conclusion
SRUM-DUMP v3 bridges the gap between raw, often overlooked system data and actionable intelligence. By harnessing the power of the Windows SRUM database, this forensic tool delivers a detailed and structured analysis that is indispensable for modern incident response teams. Whether you are investigating data exfiltration incidents or conducting routine malware forensics, SRUM-DUMP v3 offers an effective, low-resource solution for uncovering hidden threats.
Call-to-Action: Ready to streamline your malware forensics and enhance your incident response capabilities? Download SRUM-DUMP v3 today and elevate your Windows artifact analysis to the next level.
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