Windows Forensics - Analyzing Prefetch Files

Jram February 12, 2025

What Are Prefetch Files?
Prefetch files are a feature in Windows designed to speed up the startup process of applications. They store information about the files and resources an application uses when it runs. While their primary purpose is performance optimization, they are also a goldmine for forensic investigators.  

Why Prefetch Files Matter 
Prefetch files are like a hidden diary of a system’s activity. They can reveal what applications were run, when they were run, and what resources they used. For forensic investigators, this information is invaluable in uncovering suspicious behavior, tracing malware, and building a timeline of events.  

 
Location:  
- Prefetch files are stored in the `C:\Windows\Prefetch` directory.  
- File names follow the format: `<Application Name>-<Hash>.pf`.  


Why Are Prefetch Files Important in Forensics? 
1. Application Execution Evidence:  
   - Prefetch files can show which applications were executed on a system, even if the application has been deleted.  
2. Timestamps:  
   - They contain the last run time of an application, which can help establish a timeline of activity.  


3. Frequency of Execution:  
   - Prefetch files track how many times an application has been run.  


4. File and Resource Usage:  
   - They list the files and resources accessed by the application, which can reveal suspicious behavior. 


Key Information in Prefetch Files

  1. Application Name:  Executable file (e.g., `notepad.exe`).  
  2. Run Count:  Application has been executed.  
  3. Last Run Timestamps: The most recent times the application was executed (up to 8 timestamps).  
  4. Loaded Modules: DLLs and other resources used by the application.
  5. Volume Information: Details about the drive (e.g., serial number, path).  


Tools to analyze :

  1. Windows Prefetch Viewer
  2. PECmd 
  3. FTK Imager


Steps:

  1. Locate Prefetch Files:  
    • Navigate to `C:\Windows\Prefetch` and copy the `.pf` files for analysis.
  2. Parse the Files:
    • Use tools like PECmd or Windows Prefetch Viewer to extract information.
    • Example with PECmd:powershell PECmd.exe -f "C:\Windows\Prefetch\NOTEPAD.EXE-12345678.pf"

3. Analyze the Data:  

  •   Look for suspicious applications or unusual execution patterns.  
  •   Correlate timestamps with other forensic artifacts (e.g., event logs, registry entries).  


Example: Detecting Malware Using Prefetch Files

  1. Suspicious Application: A prefetch file for 'malware.exe' is found in the `Prefetch` directory.  
  2. Run Count: The application has been executed 50 times, indicating frequent use.
  3.  Timestamps: The last run time coincides with a known malware infection period.
  4.  Loaded Modules: The prefetch file lists suspicious DLLs or resources, such as `keylogger.dll`.  


Limitations of Prefetch Files   

  1. Deletion: Prefetch files can be deleted by users or malware to hide evidence.  
  2.  Disabled Prefetch: On some systems, prefetch may be disabled, reducing the availability of these files.
  3.  Limited Timestamps: Prefetch files only store the last 8 execution timestamps.
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Posted by Jram