SOC OperationsIncident ResponseWindows ForensicsLinux ForensicsKQL Investigations
Edit

Windows Event Log Forensics - SOC Analyst Cheatsheet

Practical Guide for Event Log Analysis & Threat Hunting

Quick Reference: Critical Event IDs by Investigation Type

Investigation Type
Critical Event IDs
Log Source
What They Reveal

Account Compromise

4624, 4625, 4648, 4672

Security

Logon success/fail, privilege escalation

Lateral Movement

4624 (Type 3), 4648, 5140, 7045

Security, System

Remote logons, service creation

RDP Activity

4624 (Type 10), 1149, 21/24/25

Security, RDP logs

Remote desktop sessions

Persistence

7045, 4697, 4698, 106/140/200

System, Security, Task Scheduler

Service/task creation

Privilege Escalation

4672, 4728, 4732, 4756

Security

Admin rights, group changes

Credential Dumping

4688, 4656, 5140

Security

Process creation, object access

PowerShell Abuse

4104, 4103, 400/403

PowerShell logs

Script execution

Evidence Destruction

1102, 104

Security, System

Log clearing

Investigation Priority Matrix

Priority
Event ID
Log
Description
Investigation Use

CRITICAL

4624

Security

Successful logon

Account compromise, lateral movement

CRITICAL

4625

Security

Failed logon

Brute force, reconnaissance

CRITICAL

4672

Security

Admin privileges assigned

Privilege escalation

CRITICAL

7045

System

Service installed

Persistence mechanism

CRITICAL

4688

Security

Process creation

Execution timeline

HIGH

4648

Security

Explicit credentials

Pass-the-hash, runas

HIGH

4697

Security

Service installed (Security log)

Persistence validation

HIGH

4698

Security

Scheduled task created

Persistence mechanism

HIGH

1102

Security

Event log cleared

Anti-forensics

Core Investigation Questions

Primary Questions:

  1. Who logged in? (4624 - Account identification)

  2. From where? (Logon Type + Source IP)

  3. What did they do? (4688 - Process execution)

  4. How did they move laterally? (4624 Type 3, 7045, 5140)

  5. What persistence was created? (7045, 4697, 4698)

SOC Investigation Workflows

Workflow 1: Account Compromise Investigation (CRITICAL)

Scenario: Suspected compromised user account

Investigation Priority Order:

Step 1: Identify Successful Logons (4624)

Event ID 4624 - Successful Logon

Critical Fields:

  • SubjectUserName - Who initiated the logon

  • TargetUserName - Account that logged in

  • LogonType - How they logged in

  • IpAddress / WorkstationName - Source location

  • LogonProcessName - Process used for logon

  • TimeCreated - When

Logon Types (MEMORIZE):

Type 2  - Interactive (Console)
Type 3  - Network (Lateral Movement, File Shares)
Type 4  - Batch (Scheduled Tasks)
Type 5  - Service
Type 7  - Unlock
Type 8  - NetworkCleartext (Plaintext passwords!)
Type 9  - NewCredentials (RunAs)
Type 10 - RemoteInteractive (RDP)
Type 11 - CachedInteractive
Type 12 - CachedRemoteInteractive (RDP with cached creds)

PowerShell - Find Logons:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Parse Security.evtx for logon events
#>

param(
    [string]$EventLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx",
    [int]$Hours = 24
)

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddHours(-$Hours)

Write-Host "[+] Searching for logon events in last $Hours hours..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Parse Security log for 4624 events
$logons = Get-WinEvent -Path $EventLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4624) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($logons) {
    Write-Host "[*] Found $($logons.Count) logon events" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    
    $logons | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            EventID = $_.Id
            TargetUser = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
            LogonType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonType'}).'#text'
            SourceIP = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
            Workstation = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'WorkstationName'}).'#text'
            LogonProcess = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonProcessName'}).'#text'
        }
    } | Sort-Object Time -Descending | Format-Table -AutoSize
} else {
    Write-Host "[!] No logon events found" -ForegroundColor Red
}

Red Flags in 4624:

  • ✗ Type 10 (RDP) from unusual IP addresses

  • ✗ Type 3 (Network) indicating lateral movement

  • ✗ Type 8 (NetworkCleartext) - plaintext password logon

  • ✗ Logons outside business hours

  • ✗ Logons from unusual workstations

  • ✗ Service accounts with Type 10 (RDP)

Step 2: Check for Failed Logon Attempts (4625)

Event ID 4625 - Failed Logon

Critical Fields:

  • TargetUserName - Account targeted

  • FailureReason - Why it failed

  • IpAddress / WorkstationName - Attack source

  • LogonType - Attack method

Common Failure Reasons:

0xC000006D - Bad username or password (most common)
0xC000006E - Account restriction
0xC0000064 - Account does not exist
0xC000006F - Logon outside allowed time
0xC0000070 - Workstation restriction
0xC0000071 - Password expired
0xC0000072 - Account disabled
0xC0000193 - Account expired
0xC0000224 - Password must be changed
0xC0000234 - Account locked out

PowerShell - Detect Brute Force:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Detect brute force attempts (multiple 4625 events)
#>

param(
    [string]$EventLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx",
    [int]$Threshold = 5,  # Failed attempts to consider suspicious
    [int]$Hours = 24
)

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddHours(-$Hours)

Write-Host "[+] Detecting brute force attempts (threshold: $Threshold failed logons)..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

$failedLogons = Get-WinEvent -Path $EventLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4625) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($failedLogons) {
    $analysis = $failedLogons | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            TargetUser = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
            SourceIP = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
            LogonType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonType'}).'#text'
            FailureReason = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'Status'}).'#text'
        }
    }
    
    # Group by user and source
    $bruteForce = $analysis | Group-Object TargetUser, SourceIP | Where-Object {$_.Count -ge $Threshold}
    
    if ($bruteForce) {
        Write-Host "`n[!] POTENTIAL BRUTE FORCE DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
        
        foreach ($attack in $bruteForce) {
            $user = $attack.Group[0].TargetUser
            $ip = $attack.Group[0].SourceIP
            Write-Host "`n  Target: $user" -ForegroundColor Yellow
            Write-Host "  Source IP: $ip" -ForegroundColor Yellow
            Write-Host "  Failed Attempts: $($attack.Count)" -ForegroundColor Red
            Write-Host "  Time Range: $($attack.Group[0].Time) to $($attack.Group[-1].Time)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
        }
    } else {
        Write-Host "[+] No brute force patterns detected" -ForegroundColor Green
    }
} else {
    Write-Host "[!] No failed logon events found" -ForegroundColor Gray
}

Red Flags in 4625:

  • ✗ Multiple failures followed by success (brute force)

  • ✗ High volume from single IP (>10 failures)

  • ✗ Failed admin accounts (Administrator, admin, etc.)

  • ✗ 0xC000006D repeated (password guessing)

  • ✗ Multiple usernames from same IP (spray attack)

Step 3: Check for Privilege Escalation (4672)

Event ID 4672 - Special Privileges Assigned

Indicates: Account logged on with administrator-level privileges

Critical Fields:

  • SubjectUserName - Account that gained privileges

  • PrivilegeList - Specific privileges granted

Important Privileges:

SeDebugPrivilege          - Debug programs (used by Mimikatz!)
SeBackupPrivilege         - Backup files
SeRestorePrivilege        - Restore files
SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege  - Take ownership
SeLoadDriverPrivilege     - Load kernel drivers

PowerShell - Find Privilege Escalation:

# Find 4672 events for non-SYSTEM accounts
$privEvents = Get-WinEvent -Path $EventLog -FilterXPath "*[System[EventID=4672]]" -MaxEvents 100 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

$privEvents | ForEach-Object {
    $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
    $user = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'SubjectUserName'}).'#text'
    
    # Filter out normal SYSTEM events
    if ($user -ne "SYSTEM" -and $user -ne "$env:COMPUTERNAME$") {
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            User = $user
            Privileges = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'PrivilegeList'}).'#text'
        }
    }
} | Format-Table -AutoSize

Red Flags in 4672:

  • ✗ Non-admin users with 4672 events

  • ✗ SeDebugPrivilege (credential dumping indicator)

  • ✗ Service accounts with admin privileges

  • ✗ Shortly after 4624 (privilege escalation after logon)

Step 4: Identify Explicit Credentials (4648)

Event ID 4648 - Logon with Explicit Credentials

Indicates:

  • runas command used

  • Pass-the-hash attack

  • Credential theft/reuse

Critical Fields:

  • SubjectUserName - Who initiated the action

  • TargetUserName - Credentials used

  • TargetServerName - Target system

  • ProcessName - Process used (often runas.exe)

Red Flags in 4648:

  • ✗ Different user credentials than current session

  • ✗ Admin credentials used by standard user

  • ✗ Multiple 4648 events in short time (credential testing)

  • ✗ Non-runas.exe process (potentially malicious)

EvtxECmd Usage (Zimmerman Tool) - CRITICAL

Location:

C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\*.evtx

Collection:

# Collect all event logs
$output = "C:\Cases\EventLogs"
Copy-Item "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\*.evtx" $output -Force

Parsing with EvtxECmd:

Basic Directory Parse:

REM Parse all event logs in directory
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf all_events.csv

Filter Specific Event IDs (RECOMMENDED):

REM Parse only critical security events
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf security.csv --inc 4624,4625,4648,4672,4688,4697,4698,1102

REM Parse lateral movement events
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf lateral_movement.csv --inc 4624,4648,5140,7045

REM Parse RDP events
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf rdp.csv --inc 4624,1149,21,24,25,131

REM Parse persistence events
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf persistence.csv --inc 7045,4697,4698,106,140,200,201

Exclude Noisy Events:

REM Exclude object access events (very noisy)
EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf events.csv --exc 4656,4658,4660,4663

Parse with Maps (Normalised Output):

REM EvtxECmd uses built-in "maps" to normalise output
REM Events with maps get consistent, readable output
REM Events without maps are still parsed but format varies

EvtxECmd.exe -d "C:\Cases\EventLogs" --csv "C:\Cases\Output" --csvf normalized.csv

Key EvtxECmd Output Columns:

  • TimeCreated - Event timestamp

  • Computer - System name

  • EventId - Event ID

  • Level - Severity

  • Provider - Log source

  • Channel - Log file

  • UserId - User SID

  • MapDescription - Readable event description

  • PayloadData1-6 - Event-specific data

Workflow 2: Lateral Movement Detection (HIGH PRIORITY)

Scenario: Detect attacker moving between systems

Key Event Correlation:

Lateral Movement Pattern:

Source System:
1. 4648 - Explicit credentials used (optional)
2. 4688 - Process execution (PsExec, WMI, etc.)
3. 3 (Sysmon) - Network connection

Destination System:
4. 4624 (Type 3) - Network logon
5. 4672 - Admin privileges assigned
6. 7045 - Service installed (if using PsExec/services)
7. 5140 - Share accessed (if using file shares)
8. 4688 - Process execution on target

PsExec Lateral Movement:

Source System Indicators:

Event 4648 - Explicit credentials
Event 4688 - psexec.exe execution
Prefetch - PSEXEC.EXE-*.pf

Destination System Indicators:

Event 4624 (Type 3) - Network logon
Event 4672 - Admin privileges
Event 7045 - Service "PSEXESVC" created
Event 5140 - ADMIN$ share accessed
Event 4688 - PSEXESVC.EXE execution
Prefetch - PSEXESVC.EXE-*.pf

PowerShell - Detect PsExec:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Detect PsExec usage via event logs
#>

Write-Host "[+] Detecting PsExec Activity..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Check System log for PSEXESVC service
$systemLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\System.evtx"
$psexecService = Get-WinEvent -Path $systemLog -FilterXPath "*[System[EventID=7045] and EventData[Data[@Name='ServiceName']='PSEXESVC']]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($psexecService) {
    Write-Host "`n[!] PSEXEC SERVICE DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
    
    $psexecService | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        Write-Host "  Time: $($_.TimeCreated)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
        Write-Host "  Service: PSEXESVC" -ForegroundColor Red
        Write-Host "  Image Path: $(($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ImagePath'}).'#text')" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    }
}

# Check Security log for related network logons
$securityLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx"

# Find network logons around the time of PSEXESVC service
if ($psexecService) {
    $serviceTime = $psexecService[0].TimeCreated
    $timeWindow = New-TimeSpan -Minutes 5
    
    $networkLogons = Get-WinEvent -Path $securityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4624) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($serviceTime.AddMinutes(-5).ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))' and @SystemTime<='$($serviceTime.AddMinutes(5).ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    
    if ($networkLogons) {
        Write-Host "`n[*] Network Logons Near PsExec Execution:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
        
        $networkLogons | ForEach-Object {
            $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
            $logonType = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonType'}).'#text'
            
            if ($logonType -eq '3') {  # Network logon
                [PSCustomObject]@{
                    Time = $_.TimeCreated
                    User = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
                    SourceIP = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
                    Workstation = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'WorkstationName'}).'#text'
                }
            }
        } | Format-Table -AutoSize
    }
}

WMI Lateral Movement:

Source System Indicators:

Event 4688 - wmic.exe execution
Event 5857 - WMI activity detected
Event 5861 - WMI subscription activity

Destination System Indicators:

Event 4624 (Type 3) - Network logon
Event 4672 - Admin privileges
Event 4688 - wmiprvse.exe execution
Event 5857/5860/5861 - WMI activity

RDP Lateral Movement:

Source System Indicators:

Event 4648 - Explicit credentials (optional)
Event 4688 - mstsc.exe execution
Prefetch - MSTSC.EXE-*.pf
Jump List - RDP connections (destinations)

Destination System Indicators:

Event 4624 (Type 10) - RDP logon
Event 1149 - RDP authentication success
Event 21 - RDP session logon
Event 131 - RDP connection established
Prefetch - rdpclip.exe, tstheme.exe

Workflow 3: Persistence Detection

Scenario: Identify persistence mechanisms

Key Events:

Service Creation:

Event 7045 - Service Installed (System Log)

Critical Fields:

  • ServiceName - Name of service

  • ImagePath - Executable path

  • ServiceType - Service type

  • StartType - Auto-start configuration

  • AccountName - Service account

Event 4697 - Service Installed (Security Log)

  • Same as 7045 but in Security log (requires auditing enabled)

PowerShell - Find Suspicious Services:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Detect suspicious service creation
#>

param(
    [string]$SystemLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\System.evtx",
    [int]$Days = 7
)

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddDays(-$Days)

Write-Host "[+] Searching for service creation events..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

$services = Get-WinEvent -Path $SystemLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=7045) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($services) {
    Write-Host "[*] Found $($services.Count) service creation events" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    
    $analysis = $services | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        
        $serviceName = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ServiceName'}).'#text'
        $imagePath = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ImagePath'}).'#text'
        $serviceType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ServiceType'}).'#text'
        $startType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'StartType'}).'#text'
        
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            ServiceName = $serviceName
            ImagePath = $imagePath
            ServiceType = $serviceType
            StartType = $startType
        }
    }
    
    # Identify suspicious patterns
    $suspicious = $analysis | Where-Object {
        $_.ImagePath -like "*\Temp\*" -or
        $_.ImagePath -like "*\AppData\*" -or
        $_.ImagePath -like "*\Users\Public\*" -or
        $_.ImagePath -match "powershell" -or
        $_.ImagePath -match "cmd.exe" -or
        $_.ServiceName -eq "PSEXESVC"
    }
    
    if ($suspicious) {
        Write-Host "`n[!] SUSPICIOUS SERVICES DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
        $suspicious | Format-Table -AutoSize
    }
    
    Write-Host "`n[*] All Service Creations:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    $analysis | Format-Table -AutoSize
}

Red Flags in 7045/4697:

  • ✗ Image path in temp directories

  • ✗ PowerShell/cmd.exe as service

  • ✗ Random service names

  • ✗ PSEXESVC (PsExec)

  • ✗ Auto-start configuration

Scheduled Task Creation:

Event 4698 - Scheduled Task Created (Security) Event 106 - Scheduled Task Created (Task Scheduler/Operational) Event 140 - Scheduled Task Updated (Task Scheduler/Operational) Event 200 - Scheduled Task Executed (Task Scheduler/Operational)

PowerShell - Find Scheduled Tasks:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Detect scheduled task creation
#>

param(
    [string]$SecurityLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx",
    [int]$Days = 7
)

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddDays(-$Days)

Write-Host "[+] Searching for scheduled task creation..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

$tasks = Get-WinEvent -Path $SecurityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4698) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($tasks) {
    Write-Host "[*] Found $($tasks.Count) task creation events" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    
    $tasks | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        
        Write-Host "`n--- Task Created: $($_.TimeCreated) ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
        Write-Host "Creator: $(($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'SubjectUserName'}).'#text')" -ForegroundColor Cyan
        Write-Host "Task Name: $(($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TaskName'}).'#text')" -ForegroundColor Cyan
        
        # Parse XML task content
        $taskContent = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TaskContent'}).'#text'
        if ($taskContent) {
            Write-Host "Task Content:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
            Write-Host $taskContent -ForegroundColor Gray
        }
    }
}

Red Flags in 4698/106:

  • ✗ Executables from temp/appdata

  • ✗ PowerShell with encoded commands

  • ✗ Hidden tasks (names with spaces/special chars)

  • ✗ High-frequency execution (every minute)

  • ✗ Tasks running as SYSTEM

Workflow 4: PowerShell Activity Investigation

Scenario: Detect malicious PowerShell usage

Key Events:

Event 4104 - Script Block Logging (MOST IMPORTANT)

Shows: Actual PowerShell commands executed

PowerShell - Analyse Script Blocks:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Analyse PowerShell script block logs
#>

param(
    [string]$PSLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell%4Operational.evtx",
    [int]$Hours = 24
)

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddHours(-$Hours)

Write-Host "[+] Analysing PowerShell Script Block Logs..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

$scripts = Get-WinEvent -Path $PSLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4104) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($scripts) {
    Write-Host "[*] Found $($scripts.Count) script blocks" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    
    # Define suspicious keywords
    $suspiciousKeywords = @(
        "Invoke-Mimikatz", "Invoke-Expression", "IEX", "DownloadString",
        "Net.WebClient", "Invoke-Shellcode", "Invoke-WMIMethod",
        "-EncodedCommand", "-enc", "bypass", "hidden",
        "mimikatz", "procdump", "lsass", "SAM", "NTDS.dit"
    )
    
    $suspicious = $scripts | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $scriptBlock = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ScriptBlockText'}).'#text'
        
        foreach ($keyword in $suspiciousKeywords) {
            if ($scriptBlock -match $keyword) {
                [PSCustomObject]@{
                    Time = $_.TimeCreated
                    Keyword = $keyword
                    ScriptBlock = $scriptBlock.Substring(0, [Math]::Min(200, $scriptBlock.Length)) + "..."
                }
                break
            }
        }
    }
    
    if ($suspicious) {
        Write-Host "`n[!] SUSPICIOUS POWERSHELL DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
        $suspicious | ForEach-Object {
            Write-Host "`n--- Detection: $($_.Time) ---" -ForegroundColor Red
            Write-Host "Keyword: $($_.Keyword)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
            Write-Host "Script: $($_.ScriptBlock)" -ForegroundColor Gray
        }
    } else {
        Write-Host "[+] No suspicious PowerShell detected" -ForegroundColor Green
    }
}

Event 4103 - Module Logging

  • Logs PowerShell module loading and pipeline execution

Event 400 - PowerShell Engine Start

  • PowerShell session started

Event 403 - PowerShell Engine End

  • PowerShell session ended

Event 800 - Pipeline Execution

  • Command pipeline details

Red Flags in PowerShell Events:

  • ✗ Invoke-Expression (IEX)

  • ✗ DownloadString (download and execute)

  • ✗ -EncodedCommand (obfuscation)

  • ✗ Bypass ExecutionPolicy

  • ✗ Hidden window (-WindowStyle Hidden)

  • ✗ Known attack tools (Mimikatz, Empire, Covenant)

  • ✗ Base64 encoded commands

Workflow 5: Credential Dumping Detection

Scenario: Detect credential theft attempts

Key Indicators:

LSASS Access:

Event 4656 - Handle to Object Requested

  • Process requesting access to lsass.exe

  • ObjectName: \Device\HarddiskVolume*\Windows\System32\lsass.exe

Event 4688 - Process Creation

  • Look for:

    • procdump.exe

    • mimikatz.exe

    • dumpert.exe

    • comsvcs.dll (MiniDump)

PowerShell - Detect LSASS Access:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Detect LSASS access attempts
#>

param(
    [string]$SecurityLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx",
    [int]$Days = 7
)

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddDays(-$Days)

Write-Host "[+] Detecting LSASS access attempts..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Event 4656 - Object access (requires object access auditing enabled)
$lsassAccess = Get-WinEvent -Path $SecurityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4656) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($lsassAccess) {
    $lsassEvents = $lsassAccess | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $objectName = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ObjectName'}).'#text'
        
        if ($objectName -like "*lsass.exe*") {
            [PSCustomObject]@{
                Time = $_.TimeCreated
                Process = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ProcessName'}).'#text'
                User = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'SubjectUserName'}).'#text'
                AccessMask = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'AccessMask'}).'#text'
            }
        }
    } | Where-Object {$_ -ne $null}
    
    if ($lsassEvents) {
        Write-Host "`n[!] LSASS ACCESS DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
        $lsassEvents | Format-Table -AutoSize
    }
}

# Also check process creation for dumping tools
$processes = Get-WinEvent -Path $SecurityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4688) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

$dumpingTools = @("procdump", "mimikatz", "dumpert", "pwdump", "gsecdump")

$suspicious = $processes | ForEach-Object {
    $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
    $process = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'NewProcessName'}).'#text'
    
    foreach ($tool in $dumpingTools) {
        if ($process -match $tool) {
            [PSCustomObject]@{
                Time = $_.TimeCreated
                Process = $process
                User = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'SubjectUserName'}).'#text'
                Tool = $tool
            }
            break
        }
    }
} | Where-Object {$_ -ne $null}

if ($suspicious) {
    Write-Host "`n[!] CREDENTIAL DUMPING TOOLS DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
    $suspicious | Format-Table -AutoSize
}

SAM/NTDS.dit Access:

Event 4663 - Attempt to Access Object

  • Access to SAM/SECURITY/SYSTEM registry hives

  • Access to NTDS.dit (Active Directory database)

Workflow 6: Evidence Destruction Detection

Scenario: Detect log clearing and anti-forensics

Critical Events:

Event 1102 - Security Log Cleared Event 104 - System Log Cleared

PowerShell - Detect Log Clearing:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Detect event log clearing
#>

Write-Host "[+] Detecting event log clearing..." -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Check Security log
$securityCleared = Get-WinEvent -Path "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx" -FilterXPath "*[System[EventID=1102]]" -MaxEvents 10 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($securityCleared) {
    Write-Host "`n[!] SECURITY LOG CLEARING DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
    
    $securityCleared | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        Write-Host "  Time: $($_.TimeCreated)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
        Write-Host "  Cleared By: $(($xml.Event.UserData.LogFileCleared.SubjectUserName))" -ForegroundColor Red
        Write-Host "  Domain: $(($xml.Event.UserData.LogFileCleared.SubjectDomainName))" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    }
}

# Check System log
$systemCleared = Get-WinEvent -Path "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\System.evtx" -FilterXPath "*[System[EventID=104]]" -MaxEvents 10 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($systemCleared) {
    Write-Host "`n[!] SYSTEM LOG CLEARING DETECTED:" -ForegroundColor Red
    
    $systemCleared | ForEach-Object {
        Write-Host "  Time: $($_.TimeCreated)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    }
}

if (-not $securityCleared -and -not $systemCleared) {
    Write-Host "[+] No log clearing detected" -ForegroundColor Green
}

Red Flags:

  • ✗ Event 1102 or 104 at all (major indicator)

  • ✗ Shortly after suspicious activity

  • ✗ Cleared by non-admin account

  • ✗ Multiple logs cleared

Complete Investigation Script

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Comprehensive Windows Event Log Investigation
.DESCRIPTION
    Performs complete event log analysis for incident response
#>

param(
    [string]$OutputPath = "C:\Cases\EventLogAnalysis",
    [int]$DaysBack = 7
)

# Create output directory
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $OutputPath -Force | Out-Null

$startTime = (Get-Date).AddDays(-$DaysBack)

Write-Host "`n╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "║       WINDOWS EVENT LOG INVESTIGATION                     ║" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "Computer: $env:COMPUTERNAME" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "Analysis Period: Last $DaysBack days" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "Output: $OutputPath`n" -ForegroundColor Yellow

# Define log paths
$securityLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx"
$systemLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\System.evtx"
$psLog = "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell%4Operational.evtx"

# ============================================================================
# 1. ACCOUNT ACTIVITY ANALYSIS
# ============================================================================
Write-Host "[1/6] Analysing Account Activity..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$accountOutput = "$OutputPath\01_Account_Activity.txt"

"=" * 80 | Out-File $accountOutput
"ACCOUNT ACTIVITY ANALYSIS - $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
"=" * 80 | Out-File $accountOutput -Append

# Successful logons
"`n--- SUCCESSFUL LOGONS (4624) ---" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
$logons = Get-WinEvent -Path $securityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4624) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($logons) {
    "Total Logons: $($logons.Count)" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
    
    $logonSummary = $logons | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            User = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
            LogonType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonType'}).'#text'
            SourceIP = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
        }
    }
    
    $logonSummary | Sort-Object Time -Descending | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
} else {
    "No logon events found" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
}

# Failed logons
"`n--- FAILED LOGONS (4625) ---" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
$failedLogons = Get-WinEvent -Path $securityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4625) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($failedLogons) {
    "Total Failed Attempts: $($failedLogons.Count)" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
    
    # Brute force detection
    $bruteForce = $failedLogons | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            User = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
            SourceIP = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
        }
    } | Group-Object User, SourceIP | Where-Object {$_.Count -ge 5}
    
    if ($bruteForce) {
        "`nPOTENTIAL BRUTE FORCE DETECTED:" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
        $bruteForce | ForEach-Object {
            "  Target: $($_.Name) - Attempts: $($_.Count)" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
        }
    }
} else {
    "No failed logon events found" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
}

# Privilege escalation
"`n--- PRIVILEGE ESCALATION (4672) ---" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
$privEsc = Get-WinEvent -Path $securityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4672) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -MaxEvents 100 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($privEsc) {
    $nonSystem = $privEsc | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $user = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'SubjectUserName'}).'#text'
        
        if ($user -ne "SYSTEM" -and $user -ne "$env:COMPUTERNAME$") {
            [PSCustomObject]@{
                Time = $_.TimeCreated
                User = $user
            }
        }
    } | Where-Object {$_ -ne $null}
    
    if ($nonSystem) {
        $nonSystem | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
    } else {
        "Only SYSTEM privileges (normal)" | Out-File $accountOutput -Append
    }
}

Write-Host "  [✓] Account activity analysis complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# ============================================================================
# 2. LATERAL MOVEMENT DETECTION
# ============================================================================
Write-Host "[2/6] Detecting Lateral Movement..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$lateralOutput = "$OutputPath\02_Lateral_Movement.txt"

"=" * 80 | Out-File $lateralOutput
"LATERAL MOVEMENT DETECTION - $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
"=" * 80 | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append

# PsExec detection
"`n--- PSEXEC DETECTION ---" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
$psexecService = Get-WinEvent -Path $systemLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=7045) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($psexecService) {
    $psexec = $psexecService | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $serviceName = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ServiceName'}).'#text'
        
        if ($serviceName -eq "PSEXESVC") {
            [PSCustomObject]@{
                Time = $_.TimeCreated
                Service = $serviceName
                ImagePath = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ImagePath'}).'#text'
            }
        }
    } | Where-Object {$_ -ne $null}
    
    if ($psexec) {
        "[!] PSEXEC DETECTED:" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
        $psexec | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
    } else {
        "No PsExec activity detected" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
    }
} else {
    "No service creation events found" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
}

# Network logons (Type 3)
"`n--- NETWORK LOGONS (TYPE 3) ---" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
$networkLogons = $logons | ForEach-Object {
    $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
    $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
    $logonType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonType'}).'#text'
    
    if ($logonType -eq '3') {
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            User = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
            SourceIP = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
            Workstation = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'WorkstationName'}).'#text'
        }
    }
} | Where-Object {$_ -ne $null}

if ($networkLogons) {
    $networkLogons | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
} else {
    "No network logons detected" | Out-File $lateralOutput -Append
}

Write-Host "  [✓] Lateral movement detection complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# ============================================================================
# 3. PERSISTENCE DETECTION
# ============================================================================
Write-Host "[3/6] Detecting Persistence Mechanisms..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$persistenceOutput = "$OutputPath\03_Persistence.txt"

"=" * 80 | Out-File $persistenceOutput
"PERSISTENCE DETECTION - $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
"=" * 80 | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append

# Service creation
"`n--- SERVICE CREATION (7045) ---" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
$services = Get-WinEvent -Path $systemLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=7045) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($services) {
    $serviceList = $services | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
        
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            ServiceName = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ServiceName'}).'#text'
            ImagePath = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ImagePath'}).'#text'
            StartType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'StartType'}).'#text'
        }
    }
    
    # Flag suspicious services
    $suspicious = $serviceList | Where-Object {
        $_.ImagePath -like "*\Temp\*" -or
        $_.ImagePath -like "*\AppData\*" -or
        $_.ImagePath -match "powershell" -or
        $_.ImagePath -match "cmd.exe"
    }
    
    if ($suspicious) {
        "`n[!] SUSPICIOUS SERVICES:" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
        $suspicious | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
    }
    
    "`nAll Services:" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
    $serviceList | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
} else {
    "No service creation events found" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
}

# Scheduled tasks
"`n--- SCHEDULED TASKS (4698) ---" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
$tasks = Get-WinEvent -Path $securityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4698) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($tasks) {
    "Found $($tasks.Count) scheduled task creation events" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
    
    $tasks | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        "`nTask: $(($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TaskName'}).'#text')" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
        "Created: $($_.TimeCreated)" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
        "By: $(($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'SubjectUserName'}).'#text')" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
    }
} else {
    "No scheduled task events found" | Out-File $persistenceOutput -Append
}

Write-Host "  [✓] Persistence detection complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# ============================================================================
# 4. POWERSHELL ACTIVITY
# ============================================================================
Write-Host "[4/6] Analysing PowerShell Activity..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$psOutput = "$OutputPath\04_PowerShell_Activity.txt"

"=" * 80 | Out-File $psOutput
"POWERSHELL ACTIVITY ANALYSIS - $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
"=" * 80 | Out-File $psOutput -Append

if (Test-Path $psLog) {
    # Script block logging
    $scriptBlocks = Get-WinEvent -Path $psLog -FilterXPath "*[System[(EventID=4104) and TimeCreated[@SystemTime>='$($startTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString('o'))']]]" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    
    if ($scriptBlocks) {
        "Total Script Blocks: $($scriptBlocks.Count)" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
        
        # Suspicious keyword detection
        $suspiciousKeywords = @(
            "Invoke-Mimikatz", "Invoke-Expression", "IEX", "DownloadString",
            "Invoke-Shellcode", "-EncodedCommand", "bypass", "hidden"
        )
        
        "`n--- SUSPICIOUS SCRIPT BLOCKS ---" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
        
        $foundSuspicious = $false
        $scriptBlocks | ForEach-Object {
            $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
            $scriptBlock = ($xml.Event.EventData.Data | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'ScriptBlockText'}).'#text'
            
            foreach ($keyword in $suspiciousKeywords) {
                if ($scriptBlock -match $keyword) {
                    $foundSuspicious = $true
                    "`n[!] DETECTION: $keyword" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
                    "Time: $($_.TimeCreated)" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
                    "Script: $($scriptBlock.Substring(0, [Math]::Min(500, $scriptBlock.Length)))" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
                    break
                }
            }
        }
        
        if (-not $foundSuspicious) {
            "No suspicious keywords detected" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
        }
    } else {
        "No PowerShell script blocks found" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
    }
} else {
    "PowerShell operational log not found" | Out-File $psOutput -Append
}

Write-Host "  [✓] PowerShell analysis complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# ============================================================================
# 5. RDP ACTIVITY
# ============================================================================
Write-Host "[5/6] Analysing RDP Activity..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$rdpOutput = "$OutputPath\05_RDP_Activity.txt"

"=" * 80 | Out-File $rdpOutput
"RDP ACTIVITY ANALYSIS - $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $rdpOutput -Append
"=" * 80 | Out-File $rdpOutput -Append

# Type 10 logons (RDP)
"`n--- RDP LOGONS (TYPE 10) ---" | Out-File $rdpOutput -Append
$rdpLogons = $logons | ForEach-Object {
    $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
    $eventData = $xml.Event.EventData.Data
    $logonType = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'LogonType'}).'#text'
    
    if ($logonType -eq '10') {
        [PSCustomObject]@{
            Time = $_.TimeCreated
            User = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetUserName'}).'#text'
            SourceIP = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'IpAddress'}).'#text'
            LogonID = ($eventData | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'TargetLogonId'}).'#text'
        }
    }
} | Where-Object {$_ -ne $null}

if ($rdpLogons) {
    $rdpLogons | Format-Table -AutoSize | Out-File $rdpOutput -Append
} else {
    "No RDP logons detected" | Out-File $rdpOutput -Append
}

Write-Host "  [✓] RDP analysis complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# ============================================================================
# 6. EVIDENCE DESTRUCTION
# ============================================================================
Write-Host "[6/6] Detecting Evidence Destruction..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
$destructionOutput = "$OutputPath\06_Evidence_Destruction.txt"

"=" * 80 | Out-File $destructionOutput
"EVIDENCE DESTRUCTION DETECTION - $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
"=" * 80 | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append

# Security log clearing
"`n--- SECURITY LOG CLEARING (1102) ---" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
$securityCleared = Get-WinEvent -Path $securityLog -FilterXPath "*[System[EventID=1102]]" -MaxEvents 10 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($securityCleared) {
    "[!] SECURITY LOG CLEARING DETECTED:" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
    
    $securityCleared | ForEach-Object {
        $xml = [xml]$_.ToXml()
        "Time: $($_.TimeCreated)" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
        "Cleared By: $(($xml.Event.UserData.LogFileCleared.SubjectUserName))" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
        "Domain: $(($xml.Event.UserData.LogFileCleared.SubjectDomainName))" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
        "" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
    }
} else {
    "No security log clearing detected" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
}

# System log clearing
"`n--- SYSTEM LOG CLEARING (104) ---" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
$systemCleared = Get-WinEvent -Path $systemLog -FilterXPath "*[System[EventID=104]]" -MaxEvents 10 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($systemCleared) {
    "[!] SYSTEM LOG CLEARING DETECTED:" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
    
    $systemCleared | ForEach-Object {
        "Time: $($_.TimeCreated)" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
    }
} else {
    "No system log clearing detected" | Out-File $destructionOutput -Append
}

Write-Host "  [✓] Evidence destruction analysis complete" -ForegroundColor Green

# ============================================================================
# GENERATE SUMMARY
# ============================================================================
$summaryOutput = "$OutputPath\00_INVESTIGATION_SUMMARY.txt"

@"
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║              WINDOWS EVENT LOG INVESTIGATION SUMMARY                       ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Investigation Date: $(Get-Date)
Computer: $env:COMPUTERNAME
Analysis Period: $(Get-Date $startTime) to $(Get-Date)
Analyst: $env:USERNAME

ANALYSIS PERFORMED:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[✓] Account Activity (Logons, Failed Attempts, Privilege Escalation)
[✓] Lateral Movement (PsExec, Network Logons, RDP)
[✓] Persistence Mechanisms (Services, Scheduled Tasks)
[✓] PowerShell Activity (Script Blocks, Suspicious Commands)
[✓] RDP Activity (Remote Desktop Sessions)
[✓] Evidence Destruction (Log Clearing)

OUTPUT FILES:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
01_Account_Activity.txt      → Logon analysis and brute force detection
02_Lateral_Movement.txt      → PsExec, network logons, remote access
03_Persistence.txt           → Service and task creation
04_PowerShell_Activity.txt   → PowerShell script execution
05_RDP_Activity.txt          → Remote Desktop activity
06_Evidence_Destruction.txt  → Log clearing attempts

RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. Review suspicious indicators in each output file

2. Collect event logs for offline analysis:
   Copy-Item "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\*.evtx" "$OutputPath\EventLogs\"

3. Parse with EvtxECmd for timeline analysis:
   EvtxECmd.exe -d "$OutputPath\EventLogs" --csv "$OutputPath\Parsed" --csvf events.csv

4. Focus on critical event IDs:
   EvtxECmd.exe -d "$OutputPath\EventLogs" --csv "$OutputPath\Parsed" --csvf critical.csv --inc 4624,4625,4648,4672,4688,7045,4697,4698,1102

5. Correlate with other artifacts:
   - Prefetch (execution evidence)
   - Registry (persistence mechanisms)
   - File system (malware, staging directories)
   - Network artifacts (connections, shares)

6. Build complete attack timeline using TimelineExplorer

KEY INDICATORS TO INVESTIGATE:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
→ Failed logon attempts followed by success (brute force)
→ Type 3 network logons (lateral movement)
→ Type 10 RDP logons from unusual IPs
→ Service creation in temp/appdata directories
→ PowerShell with suspicious keywords (IEX, DownloadString, etc.)
→ Event log clearing (1102, 104)
→ 4672 events for non-SYSTEM accounts (privilege escalation)

════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
"@ | Out-File $summaryOutput

Write-Host "`n╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "║            INVESTIGATION COMPLETE                          ║" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "`nResults: $OutputPath" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "Review: 00_INVESTIGATION_SUMMARY.txt`n" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Quick Triage Commands

Live System Quick Checks

# Last 24 hours successful logons
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security';Id=4624;StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message -First 20

# Failed logon attempts
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security';Id=4625;StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message -First 20

# Recent service creation
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='System';Id=7045;StartTime=(Get-Date).AddDays(-7)} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message

# Log clearing detection
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security';Id=1102} -MaxEvents 5
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='System';Id=104} -MaxEvents 5

# PowerShell execution
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational';Id=4104;StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message -First 10

# RDP logons (Type 10)
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security';Id=4624;StartTime=(Get-Date).AddDays(-7)} | Where-Object {$_.Properties[8].Value -eq 10} | Select-Object TimeCreated, @{N='User';E={$_.Properties[5].Value}}, @{N='SourceIP';E={$_.Properties[18].Value}}

Event Log Collection Commands

@echo off
set OUTPUT=C:\Cases\EventLogs
mkdir %OUTPUT%

echo [+] Collecting Event Logs...

REM Critical logs
copy C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Security.evtx %OUTPUT%
copy C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\System.evtx %OUTPUT%
copy C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Application.evtx %OUTPUT%

REM PowerShell
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT%
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Windows PowerShell.evtx" %OUTPUT%

REM RDP
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-LocalSessionManager%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT%
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-RemoteConnectionManager%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT%
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-RemoteDesktopServices-RdpCoreTS%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT%

REM Task Scheduler
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-TaskScheduler%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT%

REM WMI
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-WMI-Activity%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT%

REM Sysmon (if installed)
copy "C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon%%4Operational.evtx" %OUTPUT% 2>nul

echo [+] Collection Complete: %OUTPUT%

Investigation Checklists

Account Compromise Investigation

  • [ ] Check 4624 for successful logons (unusual times/IPs)

  • [ ] Check 4625 for brute force attempts (>5 failures)

  • [ ] Correlate failures with successes (same user/IP)

  • [ ] Check 4672 for privilege escalation

  • [ ] Check 4648 for explicit credential usage

  • [ ] Review logon types (Type 10 RDP, Type 3 network)

  • [ ] Identify source IPs and workstations

  • [ ] Build user activity timeline

  • [ ] Cross-reference with file access artifacts

Lateral Movement Investigation

  • [ ] Check 4624 Type 3 (network logons)

  • [ ] Check 7045 for PSEXESVC service

  • [ ] Check 4648 for explicit credentials

  • [ ] Check 5140 for share access (ADMIN$, C$)

  • [ ] Check 4688 for remote execution tools

  • [ ] Review WMI activity logs (5857, 5860, 5861)

  • [ ] Check PowerShell remote execution

  • [ ] Correlate source and destination events

  • [ ] Map lateral movement paths

Persistence Investigation

  • [ ] Check 7045 for service creation

  • [ ] Review service image paths (temp/appdata)

  • [ ] Check 4697 (Security log service install)

  • [ ] Check 4698 for scheduled tasks

  • [ ] Review Task Scheduler operational log (106, 140, 200)

  • [ ] Check registry Run keys (correlate with registry artifacts)

  • [ ] Review WMI event subscriptions

  • [ ] Validate autostart locations

Summary: Critical Event IDs (Memorise)

Top 10 Most Important

EventID
Log
Description
Priority

4624

Security

Successful logon

CRITICAL

4625

Security

Failed logon

CRITICAL

4672

Security

Admin privileges

CRITICAL

4688

Security

Process creation

CRITICAL

7045

System

Service installed

CRITICAL

1102

Security

Log cleared

CRITICAL

4648

Security

Explicit credentials

HIGH

4697

Security

Service installed

HIGH

4698

Security

Task created

HIGH

4104

PowerShell

Script block

HIGH

Key Principle

Event logs document what happened on a Windows system. Focus on logon events (4624/4625), privilege escalation (4672), persistence (7045/4698), and evidence destruction (1102). Always correlate multiple events to build the complete attack timeline.

Remember: Event logs survive many anti-forensics techniques. Even if malware is deleted, event logs show it executed. Always check for log clearing (1102/104) as first indicator of attacker awareness!

PreviousNetwork Activity Forensics - SOC Analyst CheatsheetNextUSB & External Device Forensics - SOC Analyst Cheatsheet

Last updated