Security Toolbox Forensics & Analysis Resources 25 - itnett/FTD02H-N GitHub Wiki

I can see that you've uploaded several images related to the analysis of a suspicious URL. From the information, it appears you are analyzing a file hosted on a remote server (117.255.99.99) using various tools like urlscan.io, VirusTotal, and Hybrid Analysis. Based on the images, the suspicious URL seems to be delivering an application/zip file, and you're verifying its safety by using multiple services.

Step-by-Step Approach for Analyzing Suspicious URLs (Proof of Concept)

Here's a guide using the same tools you've already referenced, along with additional tools that can enhance your analysis and prevent risks:

1. Initial URL Check with VirusTotal

Tool: VirusTotal

  1. Why: VirusTotal allows you to check the URL for any known threats by comparing it against multiple antivirus engines.
  2. Steps:
    • Paste the URL into VirusTotal.
    • Analyze the report to check if any engines have flagged it as malicious.
    • Review details such as domain, IP, malware behavior, and downloaded files.
  3. Expected Outcome: You will quickly see if any security vendors have flagged the URL as malicious. This provides an initial high-level assessment.

2. URL Scan with urlscan.io

Tool: urlscan.io

  1. Why: urlscan.io provides a deeper look at the URL, showing HTTP transactions, server responses, and even screenshots of the website.
  2. Steps:
    • Submit the URL to urlscan.io.
    • Review HTTP transactions and any redirects.
    • Inspect the final resource delivered (in this case, a zip file).
  3. Expected Outcome: You'll see the detailed behavior of the URL, including its server location, content type (application/zip), and other metadata. It also provides an image of the webpage for visual verification.

3. URL Analysis with Hybrid Analysis

Tool: Hybrid Analysis

  1. Why: Hybrid Analysis is useful for dynamic sandboxing. It runs the URL in a secure environment and identifies if any malware is delivered.
  2. Steps:
    • Submit the URL for analysis.
    • Wait for the results from the sandbox environment.
    • Review any indicators of compromise (IOCs), MITRE ATT&CK tactics, and files delivered by the URL.
  3. Expected Outcome: Hybrid Analysis will show if the URL leads to malicious downloads or triggers suspicious activity in a sandbox environment.

4. Investigating IP and Domain Details

Tools:

  1. Why: WHOIS and Netcraft allow you to gather more information about the domain and IP hosting the file, such as registration date, location, and server history.
  2. Steps:
    • Perform a WHOIS lookup on the domain or IP.
    • Use Netcraft to see if the domain has a history of hosting malicious content.
  3. Expected Outcome: You will gather intelligence about the domain's owner, registration date, and history, which may indicate whether it's newly created for malicious purposes or part of a long-standing infrastructure.

5. Historical Analysis of the Domain

Tool: Wayback Machine

  1. Why: To see if the domain previously had a legitimate website or if it has been compromised recently.
  2. Steps:
    • Enter the domain into Wayback Machine.
    • Browse historical versions of the website to see if it changed recently.
  3. Expected Outcome: If the website was legitimate before and was recently compromised, you will see a sudden change in its content.

6. Sandbox the ZIP File

If the URL leads to a file download (in this case, a zip file), it's important to analyze it further in a controlled environment:

Tools:

  1. Why: To see if the zip file contains malware and understand its behavior in a sandbox environment.
  2. Steps:
    • Download the zip file in a controlled environment (never directly on your machine).
    • Run it in a sandbox like Any.Run or Cuckoo to observe its behavior.
  3. Expected Outcome: You will know if the file attempts to perform malicious actions like opening network connections, executing harmful code, or modifying system settings.

7. Malware Intelligence via URLHaus

Tool: URLHaus

  1. Why: URLHaus allows you to cross-check URLs with a massive database of known malicious URLs.
  2. Steps:
    • Use URLHaus to verify if the submitted URL is already known for hosting malware.
  3. Expected Outcome: You will quickly identify if the URL has been reported in the malware community and whether it has previously distributed malicious files.

Summary of Recommended Tools in the Case

Tool Purpose Link
VirusTotal Initial URL check for malicious reputation VirusTotal
urlscan.io Detailed URL analysis (HTTP transactions, redirects) urlscan.io
Hybrid Analysis Dynamic sandbox URL analysis Hybrid Analysis
WHOIS Lookup Domain and IP investigation DomainTools WHOIS
Netcraft Domain history check Netcraft
Wayback Machine Historical analysis of the domain Wayback Machine
Any.Run Dynamic file analysis (sandbox) Any.Run
Cuckoo Sandbox Malware sandbox analysis Cuckoo Sandbox
URLHaus Check for known malware URLs URLHaus

Final Steps

By following this process, you can safely analyze suspicious URLs and attachments without exposing your system to potential threats. Each tool provides a layer of security and intelligence, allowing you to confidently assess the risks posed by unknown URLs.