The Microsoft ICS Forensics Tools framework, known as ICSpector, is an open-source tool designed to facilitate the forensic analysis of Industrial Control Systems (ICS), particularly focusing on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
Key Technical Points of ICSpector
Framework Composition and Architecture
📌Modular Design: ICSpector is composed of several components that can be developed and executed separately, allowing for flexibility and customization based on specific needs. Users can also add new analyzers
📌Network Scanner: Identifies devices communicating via supported OT protocols and ensures they are responsive. It can work with a provided IP subnet or a specific IP list exported from OT security products.
📌Data Extraction & Analyzer: Extracts PLC project metadata and logic, converting raw data into a human-readable form to highlight areas that may indicate malicious activity.
Forensic Capabilities
📌Identification of Compromised Devices: Helps in identifying compromised devices through manual verification, automated monitoring, or during incident response.
📌Snapshot Creation: Allows for the creation of snapshots of controller projects to compare changes over time, aiding in the detection of tampering or anomalies.
📌Support for Siemens PLCs: Currently supports Siemens SIMATIC S7-300 and S7-400 families, with plans to support other PLC families in the future.
Integration with Other Tools
📌Microsoft Defender for IoT: Can be used alongside Microsoft Defender for IoT, which provides network-layer security, continuous monitoring, asset discovery, threat detection, and vulnerability management for IoT/OT environments.
Use Cases
📌Incident Response: Useful for incident response operations to detect compromised devices and understand if PLC code was tampered with.
📌Proactive Security: Helps in proactive incident response by comparing PLC programs on engineering workstations with those on the actual devices to detect unauthorized changes.
Industries
📌Nuclear, Thermal, and Hydroelectric Power Plants: Power plants rely heavily on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) to manage critical operations. ICSpector can be used to ensure the integrity of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) that control these processes. By detecting any anomalous indicators or compromised configurations, ICSpector helps prevent disruptions that could lead to power outages or safety hazards.
📌Water Treatment Plants: These facilities use ICS to control the treatment processes that ensure water safety. ICSpector can help in monitoring and verifying the integrity of PLCs, ensuring that the water treatment processes are not tampered with, which is crucial for public health and safety.
📌Industrial Manufacturing: In manufacturing environments, ICS are used to control machinery and production lines. ICSpector can be used to detect any unauthorized changes or anomalies in the PLCs, ensuring consistent product quality and preventing costly downtimes due to equipment failure.
📌Critical Infrastructure Sectors: This includes sectors like energy, water, transportation, and communication systems. ICSpector can be used to safeguard the ICS that control these critical infrastructures from cyberattacks, ensuring their continuous and secure operation.
📌Chemical Processing Plants: These plants use ICS to manage complex chemical processes. ICSpector can help in ensuring that the PLCs controlling these processes are secure and have not been tampered with, which is vital for preventing hazardous incidents.
📌Oil and Gas Industry: ICS are used extensively in the oil and gas sector for drilling, refining, and distribution processes. ICSpector can be used to monitor and verify the integrity of these systems, preventing disruptions that could lead to significant financial losses and environmental damage