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CAS-002 · Question #818

Which of the following would be used in forensic analysis of a compromised Linux system? (Select THREE).

The correct answer is A. Check log files for logins from unauthorized IPs. D. Check timestamps for files modified around time of compromise. G. Verify the MD5 checksum of system binaries. Linux forensic analysis involves reviewing authentication logs, checking file modification timestamps, and verifying binary integrity through checksums to detect indicators of compromise.

Enterprise Security

Question

Which of the following would be used in forensic analysis of a compromised Linux system? (Select THREE).

Options

  • ACheck log files for logins from unauthorized IPs.
  • BCheck /proc/kmem for fragmented memory segments.
  • CCheck for unencrypted passwords in /etc/shadow.
  • DCheck timestamps for files modified around time of compromise.
  • EUse lsof to determine files with future timestamps.
  • FUse gpg to encrypt compromised data files.
  • GVerify the MD5 checksum of system binaries.
  • HUse vmstat to look for excessive disk I/O.

How the community answered

(38 responses)
  • A
    74% (28)
  • B
    13% (5)
  • E
    3% (1)
  • F
    8% (3)
  • H
    3% (1)

Why each option

Linux forensic analysis involves reviewing authentication logs, checking file modification timestamps, and verifying binary integrity through checksums to detect indicators of compromise.

ACheck log files for logins from unauthorized IPs.Correct

Reviewing log files for logins from unauthorized IPs directly identifies potential attacker access points and is a standard first step in forensic investigation of a compromised system.

BCheck /proc/kmem for fragmented memory segments.

/proc/kmem provides raw access to kernel memory addresses and is not used to examine fragmented memory segments during standard forensic analysis.

CCheck for unencrypted passwords in /etc/shadow.

/etc/shadow stores salted cryptographic password hashes, not unencrypted passwords, making this statement technically incorrect and not a valid forensic check.

DCheck timestamps for files modified around time of compromise.Correct

Checking file timestamps for modifications near the time of compromise helps identify altered, added, or deleted files that may indicate attacker activity or installed persistence mechanisms.

EUse lsof to determine files with future timestamps.

lsof lists files currently opened by running processes and does not report or filter by file timestamps - the find command with time-based parameters is the correct tool for that purpose.

FUse gpg to encrypt compromised data files.

Encrypting compromised data files with gpg would alter the evidence and violate forensic chain-of-custody integrity principles, making it inappropriate during an active investigation.

GVerify the MD5 checksum of system binaries.Correct

Verifying MD5 checksums of system binaries against known-good baseline values detects rootkits and trojanized binaries that attackers commonly replace to maintain covert access.

HUse vmstat to look for excessive disk I/O.

vmstat reports virtual memory statistics and CPU activity and is not a forensic tool suited for identifying indicators of compromise on a Linux system.

Concept tested: Linux system forensic analysis techniques and tools

Source: https://www.nist.gov/publications/guide-integrating-forensic-techniques-incident-response

Topics

#Linux forensics#log analysis#file integrity#incident response

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