analyzing-windows-lnk-files-for-artifacts

name	analyzing-windows-lnk-files-for-artifacts
description	Parse Windows LNK shortcut files to extract target paths, timestamps, volume information, and machine identifiers for forensic timeline reconstruction. Use when working with analyzing windows lnk files for artifacts.
domain	cybersecurity
tags	["forensics","lnk-files","windows-artifacts","shortcut-analysis","timeline-reconstruction","evidence-collection"]
subdomain	digital-forensics
version	1.0
author	oyi77
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["RS.AN-01","RS.AN-03","DE.AE-02","RS.MA-01"]

Analyzing Windows Lnk Files For Artifacts

Overview

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

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "analyzing windows lnk files for artifacts"

• "Parse Windows LNK shortcut files to extract target paths, timestamps, volume inf"

• When reconstructing user file access history from Windows shortcut files

• For tracking accessed files, network shares, and removable media

• During investigations to prove a user opened specific documents

• When correlating file access with other timeline artifacts

• For identifying accessed paths on remote systems or USB devices

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

• Access to LNK files from forensic image (Recent, Desktop, Quick Launch)
• LECmd (Eric Zimmerman), python-lnk, or LnkParser for analysis
• Understanding of LNK file structure (Shell Link Binary format)
• Knowledge of LNK file locations on Windows systems
• Forensic workstation with analysis tools installed

Workflow

# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    "domain": r"\b[a-z0-9-]+\.[a-z]{2,}\b",
    "hash_md5": r"\b[a-f0-9]{32}\b",
    "hash_sha256": r"\b[a-f0-9]{64}\b",
}

def extract_iocs(text: str) -> dict:
    return {k: re.findall(v, text) for k, v in IOC_PATTERNS.items()}

1. Scope the Analysis — Define what windows lnk files artifacts or data sources to examine and the investigation timeline.