analyzing-windows-amcache-artifacts

name	analyzing-windows-amcache-artifacts
description	Use when parses and analyzes the Windows Amcache.hve registry hive to extract evidence of program execution, application installation, and driver loading for digital forensics investigations. Uses Eric Zimmerman's AmcacheParser and Timeline Explorer for artifact extraction, SHA-1 hash correlation with threat intel, and timeline reconstruction. Activates for requests involving Amcache forensics, program execution evidence, Windows artifact analysis, or application compatibility cache investig...
domain	cybersecurity
tags	["amcache","windows-forensics","program-execution","AmcacheParser","eric-zimmerman","timeline-analysis","DFIR"]
subdomain	digital-forensics
version	1.0.0
author	oyi77
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["RS.AN-01","RS.AN-03","DE.AE-02","RS.MA-01"]

Analyzing Windows Amcache Artifacts

Overview

Cybersecurity skill for analyzing windows amcache artifacts. Follows industry best practices and security standards.

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "analyzing windows amcache artifacts"

• "Parses and analyzes the Windows Amcache"

• Determining which programs have existed or executed on a Windows system during incident response

• Correlating SHA-1 hashes from Amcache against known malware databases (VirusTotal, CIRCL, MISP)

• Building an application installation and execution timeline for forensic investigations

• Identifying deleted executables that leave traces in Amcache even after file removal

• Investigating insider threats by documenting which portable or unauthorized applications were present

• Analyzing driver loading history to detect rootkits or malicious kernel modules

Do not use as sole proof of program execution. Amcache proves file existence and metadata registration, but ShimCache (AppCompatCache) and Prefetch provide stronger execution evidence. Use all three artifacts together for conclusive analysis.

When NOT to Use

• When you lack proper authorization for testing
• For production systems without change management
• When the task requires legal or compliance expertise beyond technical scope

Prerequisites

• A forensic image or live triage copy of C:\Windows\appcompat\Programs\Amcache.hve (and associated .LOG1, .LOG2 transaction logs)
• Eric Zimmerman's AmcacheParser (AmcacheParser.exe) downloaded from https://ericzimmerman.github.io/
• Eric Zimmerman's Timeline Explorer for viewing parsed CSV output
• Optionally: Registry Explorer for manual hive inspection
• A SHA-1 whitelist of known-good executables (e.g., NSRL hashset) for filtering
• .NET 6+ runtime installed (required by current EZ tools)
• Write access to an output directory for CSV results

Workflow

# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    : ,
    : ,
    : ,
}

 () -> :
     {k: re.findall(v, text)  k, v  IOC_PATTERNS.items()}