Perform comprehensive Windows forensic artifact analysis using Eric Zimmerman's open-source EZ Tools suite including KAPE, MFTECmd, PECmd, LECmd, JLECmd, and Timeline Explorer for parsing registry hives, prefetch files, event logs, and file system metadata.
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Perform comprehensive Windows forensic artifact analysis using Eric Zimmerman's open-source EZ Tools suite including KAPE, MFTECmd, PECmd, LECmd, JLECmd, and Timeline Explorer for parsing registry hives, prefetch files, event logs, and file system metadata.
Performing Windows Artifact Analysis with Eric Zimmerman Tools
Overview
Eric Zimmerman's EZ Tools suite is a collection of open-source forensic utilities that have become the global standard for Windows digital forensics investigations. Originally developed by a former FBI agent and current SANS instructor, these tools parse and analyze critical Windows artifacts including the Master File Table ($MFT), registry hives, prefetch files, event logs, shortcut (LNK) files, and jump lists. The suite integrates with KAPE (Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor) for automated artifact collection and processing, producing structured CSV output that can be ingested into Timeline Explorer for visual analysis. EZ Tools are widely used by law enforcement, corporate incident responders, and forensic consultants worldwide.
Prerequisites
Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+ analysis workstation
.NET 6 Runtime installed (required for EZ Tools v2.x+)
Administrative privileges on the analysis workstation
Forensic disk image or triage collection from target system
At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended for large datasets)
Familiarity with NTFS file system structures and Windows internals
Tool Suite Components
KAPE (Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor)
KAPE is the primary orchestration tool that automates artifact collection (Targets) and processing (Modules). It uses configuration files (.tkape and .mkape) to define what artifacts to collect and which EZ Tools to run against them.
Installation and Setup:
# Download KAPE from https://www.kroll.com/en/services/cyber-risk/incident-response-litigation-support/kroll-artifact-parser-extractor-kape
# Extract to C:\Tools\KAPE
# Update KAPE targets and modules
C:\Tools\KAPE\gkape.exe # GUI version
C:\Tools\KAPE\kape.exe # CLI version
# Sync latest EZ Tools binaries
C:\Tools\KAPE\Get-KAPEUpdate.ps1
Running KAPE Collection and Processing:
# Collect artifacts from E: drive (mounted forensic image) and process with EZ Tools
kape.exe --tsource E: --tdest C:\Cases\Case001\Collection --target KapeTriage --mdest C:\Cases\Case001\Processed --module !EZParser
# Collect specific artifact categories
kape.exe --tsource E: --tdest C:\Cases\Case001\Collection --target FileSystem,RegistryHives,EventLogs --mdest C:\Cases\Case001\Processed --module MFTECmd,RECmd,EvtxECmd
# Live system triage collection (run as administrator)
kape.exe --tsource C: --tdest D:\LiveTriage\Collection --target KapeTriage --mdest D:\LiveTriage\Processed --module !EZParser --vhdx LiveTriageImage
MFTECmd - Master File Table Parser
MFTECmd parses the NTFS $MFT, $J (USN Journal), $Boot, $SDS, and $LogFile into human-readable CSV format.
PECmd parses Windows Prefetch files (.pf) to provide evidence of program execution, including run counts and timestamps.
# Parse all prefetch files from a directory
PECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\Evidence\Windows\Prefetch" --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf Prefetch_output.csv
# Parse a single prefetch file with verbose output
PECmd.exe -f "C:\Cases\Evidence\Windows\Prefetch\CMD.EXE-4A81B364.pf" --json C:\Cases\Output
# Parse prefetch with keyword filtering
PECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\Evidence\Windows\Prefetch" -k "powershell,cmd,wscript,cscript,mshta" --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf SuspiciousExec.csv
RECmd - Registry Explorer Command Line
RECmd processes Windows registry hives using batch files that define which keys and values to extract.
# Process all registry hives with the default batch file
RECmd.exe --bn C:\Tools\KAPE\Modules\bin\RECmd\BatchExamples\RECmd_Batch_MC.reb -d "C:\Cases\Evidence\Registry" --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf Registry_output.csv
# Process a single NTUSER.DAT hive
RECmd.exe -f "C:\Cases\Evidence\Users\suspect\NTUSER.DAT" --bn C:\Tools\KAPE\Modules\bin\RECmd\BatchExamples\RECmd_Batch_MC.reb --csv C:\Cases\Output
# Process SYSTEM hive for USB device history
RECmd.exe -f "C:\Cases\Evidence\Registry\SYSTEM" --bn C:\Tools\KAPE\Modules\bin\RECmd\BatchExamples\RECmd_Batch_MC.reb --csv C:\Cases\Output
EvtxECmd - Windows Event Log Parser
EvtxECmd parses Windows Event Log (.evtx) files into structured CSV format with customizable event ID maps.
# Parse all event logs from a directory
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\Evidence\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs" --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf EventLogs_output.csv
# Parse a single event log
EvtxECmd.exe -f "C:\Cases\Evidence\Security.evtx" --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf Security_output.csv
# Parse with custom maps for enhanced field extraction
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\Evidence\Logs" --csv C:\Cases\Output --maps C:\Tools\KAPE\Modules\bin\EvtxECmd\Maps
# Parse shellbags from a directory of registry hives
SBECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\Evidence\Registry" --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf Shellbags_output.csv
# Parse shellbags from a live system (requires admin)
SBECmd.exe --live --csv C:\Cases\Output --csvf LiveShellbags_output.csv
Timeline Explorer - Visual Analysis
Timeline Explorer is the GUI tool for analyzing CSV output from all EZ Tools. It supports filtering, sorting, column grouping, and conditional formatting.
# Launch Timeline Explorer and open CSV output
TimelineExplorer.exe "C:\Cases\Output\MFT_output.csv"
Key Timeline Explorer Features:
Column-level filtering with regular expressions
Conditional formatting for timestamp anomalies
Multi-column sorting for chronological analysis
Export filtered results to new CSV files
Bookmarking rows of interest
Investigation Workflow
Step 1: Artifact Collection with KAPE
# Full triage collection from forensic image mounted at E:
kape.exe --tsource E: --tdest C:\Cases\Case001\Collected --target KapeTriage --vhdx TriageImage --zv false
Step 2: Artifact Processing with EZ Tools
# Process all collected artifacts
kape.exe --msource C:\Cases\Case001\Collected --mdest C:\Cases\Case001\Processed --module !EZParser
Step 3: Timeline Analysis
Open processed CSV files in Timeline Explorer
Sort by timestamp columns to establish chronological order
Filter for specific file extensions, paths, or event IDs
Cross-reference MFT timestamps with event log entries
Identify timestomping by comparing $SI and $FN timestamps
Document findings with bookmarks and exported filtered views
Step 4: Timestomping Detection
# In Timeline Explorer, compare these columns:
# Created0x10 ($STANDARD_INFORMATION) vs Created0x30 ($FILE_NAME)
# If Created0x10 < Created0x30, timestomping is indicated
# $FILE_NAME timestamps are harder to manipulate than $STANDARD_INFORMATION
