Runs KAPE (Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor) to collect targeted forensic artifacts (registry hives, $MFT, event logs, prefetch, browser data) via Targets and parse them with Modules wrapping Eric Zimmerman's EZ Tools (PECmd, MFTECmd, RECmd). Use during early incident containment/triage when full disk imaging is impractical but a defensible, parseable Windows artifact set is needed quickly, including at-scale remote collection.
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Runs KAPE (Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor) to collect targeted forensic artifacts (registry hives, $MFT, event logs, prefetch, browser data) via Targets and parse them with Modules wrapping Eric Zimmerman's EZ Tools (PECmd, MFTECmd, RECmd). Use during early incident containment/triage when full disk imaging is impractical but a defensible, parseable Windows artifact set is needed quickly, including at-scale remote collection.
Authorized Use Only: KAPE collects forensic artifacts from systems. Only run KAPE against systems you own or are explicitly authorized in writing to acquire and analyze. Preserve chain of custody and follow your organization's evidence-handling procedures.
Overview
KAPE (Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor) is a free, Windows-native triage tool authored by Eric Zimmerman and distributed by Kroll. It performs two distinct phases controlled by separate configuration sets:
Targets (.tkape files) define what to collect. KAPE uses the raw NTFS file system (via direct volume access) to copy locked/in-use files such as registry hives, $MFT, event logs, prefetch, browser databases, and LNK files without triggering anti-tamper protections. Targets can be chained into "compound" targets (for example KapeTriage, !SANS_Triage) that pull a forensically rich subset in minutes.
Modules (.mkape files) define how to process collected (or live) data. Modules wrap external binaries — primarily Eric Zimmerman's tools (PECmd, MFTECmd, RECmd, etc.) — and emit normalized CSV/JSON output. The !EZParser compound module runs the full EZ Tools suite against a target collection.
KAPE ships with both a CLI (kape.exe) and a GUI front end (gkape.exe). Because of its speed, KAPE lets responders prioritize which hosts warrant deep forensic imaging, making it a cornerstone of modern remote/at-scale DFIR triage.
When to Use
During the early containment/triage phase of an incident when you need execution, persistence, and account artifacts from one or many hosts quickly.
When full disk imaging is impractical (large disks, remote sites, time pressure) but you still need a defensible, parseable artifact set.
When automating collection across a fleet via remote execution (PSExec, EDR live response, SOAR) using batch-mode _kape.cli files.
When you need to collect from Volume Shadow Copies to recover historical artifact states.
Prerequisites
Windows host (KAPE runs on Windows; EZ Tools modules require the .NET runtime bundled with the tools).
Administrator privileges (required for raw volume access and VSS).
Update Targets, Modules, and the bundled binaries:
REM From the KAPE directory, sync community Targets/Modules from GitHub
kape.exe --sync
REM Download/update the EZ Tools binaries that Modules invoke
Get-KAPEUpdate.ps1
A clean, write-protected destination (external drive or network share) separate from the evidence source.
Objectives
Collect a forensically sound triage artifact set from a target volume.
Optionally include Volume Shadow Copies for historical recovery.
Package output as a VHDX/ZIP container with hashing for chain of custody.
Run modules to parse the collection into analyst-ready CSV/JSON.
Build a repeatable batch-mode collection for fleet deployment.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
ID
Official Technique Name
Relevance to this skill
T1005
Data from Local System
KAPE reads artifacts directly from the local file system; defenders use the same capability to forensically acquire that data for analysis.
KAPE is a defensive DFIR tool. The mapping reflects the data-source artifacts (local file system) that adversary actions leave behind and that KAPE preserves for investigation.
Workflow
1. Sync configurations and update binaries
Always work from current Targets/Modules and EZ Tools binaries so parsers match the latest artifact formats.
cd C:\KAPE
kape.exe --sync
2. Inventory available Targets and Modules
List what is available before building a collection so you scope precisely.
REM Show all Targets
kape.exe --tlist
REM Show all Modules
kape.exe --mlist
3. Collect a triage target set
Targets require the three switches --tsource, --target, and --tdest. --tflush clears the destination first. Use a compound target such as KapeTriage for a fast, broad pull.
5. Package the collection as a container with hashing
--vhdx (or --zip) wraps the output into a single mountable/transportable container. --vhdx takes a base name (an identifier), NOT a filename. KAPE writes a console log and copy log you should retain.
8. Build a batch-mode _kape.cli for fleet deployment
KAPE reads a _kape.cli file (one argument set per line) placed next to kape.exe and executes each line in sequence — ideal for pushing identical collection via EDR/PSExec. Generate the exact CLI from the GUI's "Copy command line" button, then drop it into _kape.cli.
REM Contents of _kape.cli (each line = one full KAPE run):
--tsource C: --target KapeTriage --tdest %%d\Disk\%%m --vhdx %%m --zv false
%%d resolves to the KAPE directory and %%m to the machine name, so a single CLI auto-names output per host. Launch by running kape.exe with no arguments.
9. Verify integrity
Confirm KAPE's CopyLog, ConsoleLog, and SkipLog CSVs are present in the target output, and validate the SHA-1 hashes KAPE records for each copied file against the source where possible.
