Case Scenario: Healthcare Ransomware Attack

A regional hospital network was hit by a Ryuk ransomware variant, encrypting critical patient databases and disrupting emergency services. The attackers demanded $2.5M in Bitcoin and threatened to leak sensitive patient data.

Methodology & Standards Applied

Following SANS Incident Response Process: Preparation → Identification → Containment → Eradication → Recovery → Lessons Learned

Tools & Techniques Deployed

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping & Timeline

Court Admissibility Measures

• Digital Chain of Custody: Blockchain-based evidence logging using OriginStamp
• Hash Verification: SHA-256 hashes for all evidence items with cross-validation
• Witness Statements: Affidavits from all forensic examiners involved
• Tool Validation: Documentation of forensic tool validation per SWGDE standards
• Peer Review: All findings reviewed by secondary examiner (GCFA certified)

Outcome & Lessons Learned

Resolution: Contained within 4 hours, eradicated ransomware, recovered 98% of data from backups. Determined data was not exfiltrated (network logs showed no outbound patient data).

Legal Outcome: Evidence package provided to FBI Cyber Division. Investigation ongoing.

Improvements: Client implemented enhanced email filtering, network segmentation, and immutable backups.

Evidence Gallery

Scenario

A technology firm suspected an engineer of stealing intellectual property. The subject used multiple iPhones and Android devices with encrypted messaging apps (Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram) and cloud synchronization.

Methodology

Tools Deployed

Key Findings

Legal Admissibility

All extractions performed with proper search warrants. Used write-blockers for physical extraction. Maintained Faraday bags for device preservation. Hash verification of all extracted data with SHA-256 algorithms.

Evidence Gallery

Scenario

A fintech company experienced unauthorized cryptocurrency mining in their AWS environment. Attacker gained access through compromised IAM credentials and created persistent backdoors across multiple regions.

Methodology

Tools & Investigation

Attack Timeline

MITRE ATT&CK Cloud Techniques

Resolution & Recommendations

Immediate Actions: Rotated all IAM keys, terminated compromised instances, revoked unauthorized Lambda functions.

Forensic Findings: Attacker originated from Eastern European IP, used Monero mining pool, total losses: $18,500 in compute costs.

Security Enhancements: Implemented AWS Organizations SCPs, enabled GuardDuty across all accounts, set up CloudTrail lake for centralized logging.

Scenario

Government agency detected anomalous outbound traffic to suspicious domains. Suspected APT group using DNS tunneling for C2 communications and data exfiltration over 6-month period.

Tools & Analysis

MITRE ATT&CK

Key Findings

C2 Infrastructure: Identified 12 domains used for rotating command and control, registered through privacy services.

Exfiltration Volume: Approximately 2.3GB of sensitive data transferred over 184 days using DNS tunneling.

Attacker Tools: Custom-built DNS tunneling tool with AES encryption and domain generation algorithm.

Evidence Gallery

Scenario

Employee suspected of stealing customer database before resignation. Used encrypted USB drives, wiping software, and anti-forensic techniques to cover tracks.

Tools Deployed

Forensic Timeline

Key Evidence Recovered

Database Files: Recovered 85% of customer database from unallocated clusters using file carving techniques.

USB Artifacts: Identified specific USB device (SanDisk Ultra 64GB) with serial number tracking.

Encryption Keys: Partial recovery of VeraCrypt headers allowing for potential decryption.

Wiping Evidence: Logs showing BleachBit execution with specific file patterns targeted.

Scenario

Proactive hunting in financial institution following SolarWinds-style supply chain attack concerns. Focus on detecting suspicious PowerShell activity and lateral movement.

Methodology

Used MITRE ATT&CK Navigator for hypothesis testing and detection engineering. Integrated threat intelligence feeds with internal telemetry.

Hunting Techniques

Findings

Discovered suspicious DLL sideloading activity in vendor software updates. Identified 3 compromised endpoints with beaconing behavior. Provided remediation guidance and enhanced monitoring rules.

Scenario

Domestic case involving Amazon Ring, Nest thermostat, and smart locks. Suspect alleged to have manipulated devices remotely during contested custody proceedings.

Tools & Techniques

Key Evidence

Recovered timeline of device access showing remote manipulation during critical periods. Extracted geolocation data from device logs. Correlated multiple device activities to establish pattern of behavior.

Scenario

Joint investigation with law enforcement into dark web marketplace selling stolen credentials, payment cards, and hacking tools. Focus on vendor identification and transaction tracing.

Techniques

• Blockchain Analysis: Bitcoin, Monero tracing using Chainalysis, Elliptic
• Tor Analysis: Hidden service correlation and timing attacks
• PGP Analysis: Key correlation across multiple marketplaces
• Username Correlation: Cross-referencing across breaches (HaveIBeenPwned)
• Language Analysis: Writing style comparison for vendor identification

Outcome

Identified key vendor operating across 3 marketplaces. Traced cryptocurrency transactions to exchange accounts. Provided evidence package resulting in search warrants and arrests.

Scenario

Corporate boardroom suspected of covert surveillance devices ahead of sensitive merger negotiations. Comprehensive physical and RF sweep required.

Equipment Used

Findings

Discovered unauthorized Wi-Fi access point masquerading as corporate network. Identified hidden camera in smoke detector. Found cellphone booster potentially used for IMSI catching. Provided comprehensive remediation and ongoing monitoring plan.