Cybersecurity: How can a digital forensics examiner access encrypted data?

Dr. Frank Kardasz, Edited by Ava Gozo.

Frank Kardasz is a post-secondary instructor who lectures on various topics including digital forensics and cybersecurity. 

Digital forensics examiners have several methods to attempt to access encrypted data. These techniques may assist in recovering data that might otherwise be inaccessible due to encryption. Here are some possible approaches:

Live Forensic Acquisition

One method is to perform a live forensic acquisition. This involves capturing data from a system while it's still running and before it's shut down[1][10].

Benefits:

• Allows access to decrypted data in memory
• May capture encryption keys or passphrases

Tools:

• AccessData's FTK Imager
• EnCase Enterprise
• ProDiscover IR
• X-Ways Capture

Finding Unencrypted Copies

Investigators often search for unencrypted copies of data that may exist elsewhere on the system or remotely in cloud storage[3]:

• Temporary files created during the encryption process
• Copies stored in the paging file (pagefile.sys)
• Unencrypted backups or copies in other locations

Obtaining Encryption Passphrases

Acquiring the encryption passphrase can provide full access to the encrypted data[3]. Methods include:

• Searching the area around the computer for written passphrases
• Interviewing the suspect
• Monitoring the suspect's computer use
• Trying passwords used for other accounts (e.g., email, personal devices)

Specialized Decryption Tools

Forensic examiners may employ specialized software designed to decrypt specific types of encryption[5][6]:

• EnCase
• Forensic Toolkit (FTK)
• Elcomsoft Forensic Disk Decryptor
• Passware Kit Forensic

These tools may recover deleted files, decrypt encrypted data, and analyze corrupted information.

Brute-Force Attacks

When other methods fail, investigators may attempt brute-force attacks to guess the encryption key[6]. This can be time-consuming but may be successful if the encryption is not particularly strong.

Exploiting Vulnerabilities

In some cases, forensic examiners may leverage known vulnerabilities in encryption implementations[1]. For example, older versions of Windows had weakly protected EFS private keys that could be exploited.

Legal and Cooperative Approaches

Sometimes, legal process can be used to gain access to encrypted data[3]:

• Obtaining court orders for suspects to provide decryption keys
• Negotiating plea bargains in exchange for decryption cooperation
• Leveraging data protection laws to request cooperation from service providers

Focusing on Metadata and Unencrypted Data

When full decryption is not possible, examiners may focus on[3]:

• Analyzing metadata associated with encrypted files
• Examining unencrypted portions of the system
• Investigating network traffic and communication patterns

By employing these methods, digital forensics examiners may overcome the challenges posed by encryption and recover evidence. However, it's important to note that as encryption technologies advance, forensic techniques must continually evolve to keep pace.

Citations:

[1] https://www.stechnolock.com/article/Forensic-Encryption-Discovering.pdf
[2] https://www.bluevoyant.com/knowledge-center/understanding-digital-forensics-process-techniques-and-tools
[3] https://www.utica.edu/academic/institutes/ecii/publications/articles/A04AF2FB-BD97-C28C-7F9F4349043FD3A9.pdf
[4] https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5449&context=etd
[5] https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/information-technology/resources/what-is-digital-forensics/
[6] https://www.cadosecurity.com/wiki/understanding-encryption-in-digital-forensics
[7] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cryptographic-techniques-data-privacy-digital-forensics-megha-s-b-adpvf
[8] https://xpressguards.com/decrypting-digital-evidence-cyber-investigations/
[9] https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-some-common-challenges-decrypting-encrypted
[10] https://wisemonkeys.info/blogs/Full-Disk-Encryption-on-Digital-Forensics

DFS565

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