analyzing-docker-container-forensics

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---
name: analyzing-docker-container-forensics
description: Investigate compromised Docker containers by analyzing images, layers,
  volumes, logs, and runtime artifacts to identify malicious activity and evidence.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: digital-forensics
tags:
- forensics
- docker
- container-forensics
- container-security
- image-analysis
- runtime-investigation
version: '1.0'
author: mahipal
license: Apache-2.0
nist_csf:
- RS.AN-03
- DE.AE-02
- RS.MA-01
mitre_attack:
- T1610
- T1611
- T1613
- T1612
---

# Analyzing Docker Container Forensics

## When to Use
- When investigating a compromised Docker container or container host
- For analyzing malicious Docker images pulled from registries
- During incident response involving containerized application breaches
- When examining container escape attempts or privilege escalation
- For auditing container configurations and identifying misconfigurations

## Prerequisites
- Docker CLI access on the forensic workstation
- Access to the Docker host file system (forensic image or live)
- Understanding of Docker layered file system (overlay2, aufs)
- dive, docker-explorer, or container-diff for image analysis
- Knowledge of Docker daemon configuration and socket security
- Trivy or Grype for vulnerability scanning of container images

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preserve Container State and Evidence

```bash
# List all containers (including stopped)
docker ps -a --no-trunc > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_list.txt

# Inspect the compromised container
CONTAINER_ID="abc123def456"
docker inspect $CONTAINER_ID > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_inspect.json

# Export container filesystem as tarball (preserves current state)
docker export $CONTAINER_ID > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_export.tar

# Create an image from the container's current state
docker commit $CONTAINER_ID forensic-evidence:case-2024-001
docker save forensic-evidence:case-2024-001 > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_image.tar

# Capture container logs
docker logs $CONTAINER_ID --timestamps > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_logs.txt 2>&1

# Capture running processes (if container is still running)
docker top $CONTAINER_ID > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_processes.txt

# Capture network connections
docker exec $CONTAINER_ID netstat -tlnp 2>/dev/null > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_network.txt

# Copy specific files from the container
docker cp $CONTAINER_ID:/var/log/ /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_var_log/
docker cp $CONTAINER_ID:/tmp/ /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_tmp/
docker cp $CONTAINER_ID:/etc/passwd /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_passwd

# Hash all exported evidence
sha256sum /cases/case-2024-001/docker/*.tar > /cases/case-2024-001/docker/evidence_hashes.txt
```

### Step 2: Analyze Container Image Layers

```bash
# Install dive for image layer analysis
wget https://github.com/wagoodman/dive/releases/latest/download/dive_linux_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i dive_linux_amd64.deb

# Analyze image layers interactively
dive forensic-evidence:case-2024-001

# Non-interactive layer analysis
dive forensic-evidence:case-2024-001 --ci --json /cases/case-2024-001/docker/dive_analysis.json

# Extract and examine individual layers
mkdir -p /cases/case-2024-001/docker/layers/
tar -xf /cases/case-2024-001/docker/container_image.tar -C /cases/case-2024-001/docker/layers/

# List the image manifest and layer order
cat /cases/case-2024-001/docker/layers/manifest.json | python3 -m json.tool

# Examine each layer for changes
for layer in /cases/case-2024-001/docker/layers/*/layer.tar; do
    echo "=== Layer: $(dirname $layer | xargs basename) ==="
    tar -tf "$layer" | head -20
    echo "..."
done

# Use container-diff to compare with original base image
# Install container-diff
curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/container-diff/latest/container-diff-linux-amd64
chmod +x container-diff-linux-amd64

# Compare committed image with original
./container-diff-linux-amd64