When it comes to analyzing a Linux disc image, Linux forensics comes to play as it determines the type of the error and then resolves it. This is the beginning steps and method that can be applied.
The process of the analysis is different from other Microsoft windows forensics. Sometimes the forensics believes that the disc may be encountered in an incident.
Linux is a widely used open-source operating system around the world. It is a driver who sits under all the software on the system. The drivers receive and relay the request to the computer hardware.
To analyze the disk image, there is a complete you need to follow. You need to be careful while doing it. If you do something, that might cause a change to the image it will be hard to analyze it.
So let us discuss the essential key points you need to follow for Linux forensics.
Steps for analyzing Linux forensics disk:
Loading the image:
- At first, you need to open the VMDK file, which contains all the part of the disc image.
- You need to load all the VMDK files in the virtualization tools like VMplayer.
- After uploading all the files you need to run it live. Using the original Linux program to start the forensics process. When you do this process, your disc will be thoroughly examined. Keep in mind that there are some drawbacks when using this method for a beginner.
Linux forensics start here:
- The first one to look at is time’s stamps. There is a chance of altering and all the contents present in it. The second one is the files and programs that uploaded in the environment might get compromised and then you won’t receive the full benefits. The third one is that if you upload the compromised files on the system, then it will show you the unexpected results and you have to bear its consequences.
- If you a beginner and want to do Linux forensics then you may have to go for the libvmdk units which allow you to use the full access of the VMDK files stored in the folders.
Converting the image disk:
- In my opinion, the best thing you can do is to first convert the VMDK file format to the raw form. It will be easier for you to do the forensics in a better and efficient way. You can also use the SIFT distribution as it will give you easy access to the files. Again, doing the analysis in a more effective way.
- For converting the VMDK format to the raw format, you need to use the qemu-img utility. This util will allow you to convert, modify, and create all the images in offline mode.
- After doing this, you need to make a list of the partition table from the image and try to obtain all the sectors of the partition with the help of the mmls utility. It will display all the parts of the partition in the volume system and includes tables and labels of the disc image. After doing all the process then you will be to forensics the disc image on Linux.
The above steps are the points that need to be understood carefully for doing a Linux forensics for a disc image.