Disk imaging with dcfldd

Forensic Imaging and dcfldd: Pillars of Digital Forensics

In the captivating world of digital forensics, forensic imaging, also known as bit-stream copying, is a cornerstone technique, pivotal to the integrity and effectiveness of the investigative process. This meticulous practice involves creating an exact, sector-by-sector replica of a digital storage medium.

The Essence of Forensic Imaging

The essence of forensic imaging is not just in the replication but in its fidelity. Every byte, every hidden sector, and every potentially overlooked piece of data is captured, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the digital medium at a specific point in time.

The Role of dcfldd in Forensic Work

Enter dcfldd, an enhanced version of the Unix dd command, developed by the Department of Defense Computer Forensics Lab (DCFL). It’s a powerful ally in the digital forensic investigator’s arsenal, enriching the standard dd functionalities with features tailored for forensic application.

Applications of dcfldd in Digital Forensics

• Evidence Preservation: Ensures unaltered copies of storage devices for legal scrutiny.
• Data Recovery: Facilitates the retrieval of potentially lost or deleted data.
• Malware Analysis: Assists in examining suspicious drives without risking contamination.

The Art of Forensic Imaging

Forensic imaging isn’t merely a process; it’s an art form. It requires a meticulous hand and a discerning eye. Each image created is more than a copy; it’s a digital preservation of history, a snapshot of a device’s life story.

Creating a disk image using CSI Linux and dcfldd with an MD5 hash involves several technical steps. Here’s a detailed guide:

• Preparation: Connect the drive to a write blocker to prevent accidental writes, maintaining its integrity as evidence.
• Identify the Drive: Use the command sudo fdisk –l to list all disks and their paths. For example, /dev/sdc
• Write Protection: If lacking a write blocker, change the source drive’s permissions to read-only. Use ls –lha /dev | grep sd to view permissions, then sudo chmod 440 /dev/sdc
• Disk Imaging Command: Create a disk image with dcfldd if=/dev/sdc of=~/Cases/case001/Forensic\ Evidence\ Images/hdd001.dd hash=md5 hashlog=~/Cases/case001/Forensic\ Evidence\ Images/hdd001_hashlog.txt
• Monitor the Process: dcfldd provides real-time progress information on blocks written and data size.
• Verification: Verify the image is an exact copy with dcfldd if=/dev/sdc vf=~/Cases/case001/Forensic\ Evidence\ Images/hdd001.dd verifylog=~/Cases/case001/Forensic\ Evidence\ Images/hdd001_verifylog.txt
• Direct Hash Comparison: Verify by hashing both source and image using md5 or sha1 commands. For example, sudo md5sum ~/Cases/case001/Forensic\ Evidence\ Images/hdd001.dd /dev/sdc.

Remember, the integrity of the data and following the correct procedures are paramount in forensic imaging to ensure the evidence is admissible in legal contexts.

Resource

CSI Linux Certified Computer Forensic Investigator | CSI Linux Academy