/analyzing-windows-lnk-files-for-artifacts

name: analyzing-windows-lnk-files-for-artifacts
description: Parse Windows LNK shortcut files to extract target paths, timestamps, volume information, and machine identifiers
  for forensic timeline reconstruction.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: digital-forensics
tags:
- forensics
- lnk-files
- windows-artifacts
- shortcut-analysis
- timeline-reconstruction
- evidence-collection
version: '1.0'
author: mahipal
license: Apache-2.0
nist_csf:
- RS.AN-01
- RS.AN-03
- DE.AE-02
- RS.MA-01

Analyzing Windows LNK Files for Artifacts

When to Use

• When reconstructing user file access history from Windows shortcut files
• For tracking accessed files, network shares, and removable media
• During investigations to prove a user opened specific documents
• When correlating file access with other timeline artifacts
• For identifying accessed paths on remote systems or USB devices

Prerequisites

• Access to LNK files from forensic image (Recent, Desktop, Quick Launch)
• LECmd (Eric Zimmerman), python-lnk, or LnkParser for analysis
• Understanding of LNK file structure (Shell Link Binary format)
• Knowledge of LNK file locations on Windows systems
• Forensic workstation with analysis tools installed

Workflow

Step 1: Collect LNK Files from Forensic Image

# Mount forensic image
mount -o ro,loop,offset=$((2048*512)) /cases/case-2024-001/images/evidence.dd /mnt/evidence

mkdir -p /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/{recent,desktop,startup,custom}

# Copy Recent items LNK files (primary source)
cp /mnt/evidence/Users/*/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Recent/*.lnk \
   /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/recent/ 2>/dev/null

# Copy automatic destinations (Jump Lists)
cp /mnt/evidence/Users/*/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Recent/AutomaticDestinations/*.automaticDestinations-ms \
   /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/recent/ 2>/dev/null

# Copy custom destinations (pinned Jump List items)
cp /mnt/evidence/Users/*/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Recent/CustomDestinations/*.customDestinations-ms \
   /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/custom/ 2>/dev/null

# Copy Desktop shortcuts
cp /mnt/evidence/Users/*/Desktop/*.lnk /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/desktop/ 2>/dev/null

# Copy Startup folder shortcuts (persistence)
cp /mnt/evidence/Users/*/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Start\ Menu/Programs/Startup/*.lnk \
   /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/startup/ 2>/dev/null
cp "/mnt/evidence/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/Startup"/*.lnk \
   /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/startup/ 2>/dev/null

# Find all LNK files on the system
find /mnt/evidence/ -name "*.lnk" -type f 2>/dev/null > /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/all_lnk_locations.txt

# Count and hash
ls /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/recent/ | wc -l
sha256sum /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/recent/*.lnk > /cases/case-2024-001/lnk/lnk_hashes.txt 2>/dev/null

Step 2: Parse LNK Files with LECmd

# Using Eric Zimmerman's LECmd (Windows or via Mono)
# Process all LNK files in a directory
LECmd.exe -d "C:\cases\lnk\recent\" --csv "C:\cases\analysis\" --csvf lnk_analysis.csv

# Process a single LNK file with verbose output
LECmd.exe -f "C:\cases\lnk\recent\document.pdf.lnk"

# Process Jump List files
JLECmd.exe -d "C:\cases\lnk\recent\" --csv "C:\cases\analysis\" --csvf jumplist_analysis.csv

# Output includes:
# - Source file path
# - Target path (file that was accessed)
# - Target creation, modification, access timestamps
# - LNK creation and modification timestamps
# - Working directory
# - Command line arguments
# - Volume serial number and label
# - Drive type (Fixed, Removable, Network)
# - Machine ID (NetBIOS name)
# - MAC address (from tracker database)
# - File size of target

Step 3: Parse LNK Files with Python

pip install LnkParse3

python3 << 'PYEOF'
import LnkParse3
import os, json, csv
from datetime import datetime

lnk_dir = '/cases/case-2024-001/lnk/recent/'
results = []

for filename in sorted(os.listdir(lnk_dir)):
    if not filename.lower().endswith('.lnk'):
        continue

    filepath = os.path.join(lnk_dir, filename)
    try:
        with open(filepath, 'rb') as f:
            lnk = LnkParse3.lnk_file(f)
            info = lnk.get_json()

            parsed = {
                'lnk_file': filename,
                'target_path': '',
                'working_dir': '',
                'arguments': '',
                'target_created': '',
                'target_modified': '',
                'target_accessed': '',
                'file_size': '',
                'drive_type': '',
                'volume_serial': '',
                'volume_label': '',
                'machine_id': '',
                'mac_address': '',
            }

            # Extract header timestamps
            header = info.get('header', {})
            parsed['target_created'] = str(header.get('creation_time', ''))
            parsed['target_modified'] = str(header.get('modified_time', ''))
            parsed['target_accessed'] = str(header.get('accessed_time', ''))
            parsed['file_size'] = str(header.get('file_size', ''))

            # Extract link info
            link_info = info.get('link_info', {})
            if link_info:
                local_path = link_info.get('local_base_path', '')
                network_path = link_info.get('common_network_relative_link', {}).get('net_name', '')
                parsed['target_path'] = local_path or network_path

                vol_info = link_info.get('volume_id', {})
                if vol_info:
                    parsed['drive_type'] = str(vol_info.get('drive_type', ''))
                    parsed['volume_serial'] = str(vol_info.get('drive_serial_number', ''))
                    parsed['volume_label'] = str(vol_info.get('volume_label', ''))

            # Extract string data
            string_data = info.get('string_data', {})
            parsed['working_dir'] = str(string_data.get('working_dir', ''))
            parsed['arguments'] = str(string_data.get('command_line_arguments', ''))

            # Ex