Hubbry Logo
Computer Online Forensic Evidence ExtractorComputer Online Forensic Evidence ExtractorMain
Open search
Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor
Community hub
Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor
Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor
from Wikipedia

Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) is a tool kit, developed by Microsoft, to help computer forensic investigators extract evidence from a Windows computer. Installed on a USB flash drive or other external disk drive, it acts as an automated forensic tool during a live analysis. Microsoft provides COFEE devices and online technical support free to law enforcement agencies.

Development and distribution

[edit]

COFEE was developed by Anthony Fung, a former Hong Kong police officer who now works as a senior investigator on Microsoft's Internet Safety Enforcement Team.[1] Fung conceived the device following discussions he had at a 2006 law enforcement technology conference sponsored by Microsoft.[2] The device is used by more than 2,000 officers in at least 15 countries.[3]

A case cited by Microsoft in April 2008 credits COFEE as being crucial in a New Zealand investigation into the trafficking of child pornography, producing evidence that led to an arrest.[1]

In April 2009 Microsoft and Interpol signed an agreement under which INTERPOL would serve as principal international distributor of COFEE. University College Dublin's Center for Cyber Crime Investigations in conjunction with Interpol develops programs for training forensic experts in using COFEE.[4] The National White Collar Crime Center has been licensed by Microsoft to be the sole US domestic distributor of COFEE.[5]

Public leak

[edit]

On November 6, 2009, copies of Microsoft COFEE were leaked onto various torrent websites.[6] Analysis of the leaked tool indicates that it is largely a wrapper around other utilities previously available to investigators.[7] Microsoft confirmed the leak; however a spokesperson for the firm said "We do not anticipate the possible availability of COFEE for cybercriminals to download and find ways to ‘build around' to be a significant concern".[8]

Use

[edit]

The device is activated by being plugged into a USB port. It contains 150 tools and a graphical user interface to help investigators collect data.[1] The software is reported to be made up of three sections. First COFEE is configured in advance with an investigator selecting the data they wish to export, this is then saved to a USB device for plugging into the target computer. A further interface generates reports from the collected data.[7] Estimates cited by Microsoft state jobs that previously took 3–4 hours can be done with COFEE in as little as 20 minutes.[1][9]

COFEE includes tools for password decryption, Internet history recovery and other data extraction.[2] It also recovers data stored in volatile memory which could be lost if the computer were shut down.[10]

DECAF

[edit]

In mid to late 2009 a tool named Detect and Eliminate Computer Acquired Forensics (DECAF) was announced by an uninvolved group of programmers. The tool would reportedly protect computers against COFEE and render the tool ineffective.[11] It alleged that it would provide real-time monitoring of COFEE signatures on USB devices and in running applications and that when a COFEE signature is detected, DECAF would perform numerous user-defined processes. These included COFEE log clearing, ejecting USB devices, and contamination or spoofing of MAC addresses.[12] On December 18, 2009, the DECAF creators announced that the tool was a hoax and part of "a stunt to raise awareness for security and the need for better forensic tools".[13][14][15][16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) is a toolkit developed by to assist in rapidly collecting volatile evidence from live Windows computer systems during investigations. Designed as a USB-based suite of over 150 automated tools, COFEE captures such as active processes, network connections, and browser artifacts before a system is powered down, reducing collection time from hours to under 20 minutes with minimal training required. Initiated in 2006 by Anthony Fung, a former police officer who joined Microsoft's Enforcement Team, COFEE was first distributed in April 2009 through to global agencies and later made available at no cost to U.S. via the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) in October 2009. The toolkit includes features like password decryption, internet history recovery, and automated report generation, preserving evidence integrity for subsequent lab analysis while supporting investigators regardless of technical expertise. A notable event in COFEE's history occurred in November 2009 when the toolkit leaked onto torrent sites, raising concerns about potential exploitation by cybercriminals, though emphasized its design for official use only. By 2025, COFEE continues to be utilized by thousands of agencies worldwide, including through , as a foundational tool in despite evolving technologies.

Overview

Purpose and capabilities

The Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) is a suite of over 150 point-and-click tools developed by to enable the rapid extraction of volatile data from running Windows computers during forensic investigations at crime scenes. Designed specifically for , COFEE automates the collection of ephemeral evidence that could otherwise be lost if the system is powered off or altered. Its primary purpose is to assist investigators in capturing live system artifacts, such as memory dumps, active network connections, running processes, and browser history, thereby preserving critical digital traces for subsequent analysis. By focusing on , Vista, and 7 systems—prevalent at the time of its development—COFEE ensures compatibility with common field environments without requiring the system to be shut down prematurely. Key capabilities include the of routine forensic tasks through a user-friendly interface, which reduces on-scene collection time from several hours to as little as 20 minutes, even for officers with minimal technical training. Delivered as a pre-configured USB device insertable into a live computer, COFEE generates structured reports suitable for expert review or court use, making it ideal for high-pressure scenarios where non-experts must act swiftly. Initially released in and distributed through the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), it empowers frontline personnel to secure volatile efficiently while minimizing the risk of contamination.

Technical architecture

The Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) operates as a portable USB thumb drive toolkit that executes forensic scripts and executables directly on a target Windows machine without requiring any installation or alteration to the host system. This architecture separates data acquisition at the scene from subsequent analysis, allowing investigators to capture live evidence while minimizing disruption to the running system. The toolkit bundles over 150 off-the-shelf forensic utilities, automated via batch scripts that handle tool selection, execution, and output redirection to the USB device itself. Core components encompass a for tool selection and a script generator that customizes evidence collection based on the investigation's needs, including capabilities for password decryption, Internet activity analysis, screen captures, and extraction of volatile data such as RAM contents and network connections. Additional modules support registry examination, event log retrieval, and prefetch file collection to identify recent system activities and user behaviors. The system integrates third-party tools like the Windows Forensic Toolchest (WFT) for broad evidence gathering and RootkitRevealer for detecting hidden processes. In operational flow, the USB drive is inserted into the suspect machine, where it autoruns a wizard-based interface to guide the user in choosing relevant evidence categories; the generated script then sequentially runs the selected tools, logging all actions to maintain . This process ensures non-experts can perform rapid acquisitions in as little as 20 minutes, with outputs stored directly on the USB in accessible formats for later forensic review, such as raw dumps or structured reports. COFEE's scripting functionality further allows for custom evidence gathering by enabling investigators to modify or add commands tailored to specific scenarios.

Development and distribution

Origins with Microsoft

The development of the Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) was initiated in 2006 by Anthony Fung and Ricci Ieong, members of 's Internet Safety Enforcement Team, motivated by the escalating challenges of investigations where often struggled to capture volatile from live Windows systems before devices were powered down. Drawing on 's deep expertise in operating system architecture, the team aimed to bridge gaps in live forensics by creating an automated suite of tools that could streamline evidence extraction for , reducing the time required from hours to minutes and minimizing the risk of or contamination. This effort was part of broader internal initiatives to support public-private partnerships against cyber threats, without any intention of commercial release, as the tool was specifically tailored for authorized government and use. Key milestones in COFEE's internal development included initial prototyping in 2006-2007, where the team assembled over 150 publicly available open-source and commercial tools into a portable USB-based framework, beginning with simple batch scripts to manage incident response processes. A limited release occurred in June 2007 to select agencies, followed by testing phases in 2008 involving international partners to refine the suite's in field scenarios, focusing on compatibility with Windows environments and ease of deployment for non-specialist officers. Ongoing refinements continued, incorporating advanced modules for tasks like memory imaging and network artifact capture, all integrated under a unified interface to enhance investigative efficiency. The project was led by forensic specialists like Anthony Fung, a former Hong Kong police officer, emphasizing collaboration between Microsoft's engineers and personnel to ensure the tool's practical alignment with real-world needs, such as those arising from botnets and incidents. This internal focus on automation addressed longstanding pain points in handling, positioning COFEE as a non-commercial asset exclusively for official investigations.

Partnership with NW3C

In October 2009, entered into a with the National Center (NW3C), a dedicated to supporting in combating economic and high-tech crimes, to distribute the Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) tool. The agreement, announced on October 13, 2009, at the Digital Crimes Consortium in , made COFEE available at no cost to U.S. agencies through NW3C's established network and training infrastructure. This collaboration built on 's prior development of the tool, aiming to equip frontline investigators with a streamlined means to capture volatile from live computer systems at crime scenes. NW3C assumed responsibility for handling the distribution of COFEE, providing essential training to ensure its effective and protocol-compliant use, and facilitating access via a dedicated link on its website. The initial rollout involved pre-configured USB kits containing the COFEE software along with accompanying documentation to guide investigators. Training sessions were designed to be brief, requiring less than 10 minutes for officers to learn how to deploy the USB device and execute automated commands for evidence collection, without necessitating advanced forensic expertise. This approach emphasized proper usage protocols to maintain the integrity of digital evidence, aligning with NW3C's mission to enhance investigative capabilities across state, local, and federal agencies. The partnership adopted a no-cost model to promote widespread and level the playing field for resource-limited agencies, extending COFEE's reach beyond initial U.S. distribution. NW3C collaborated closely with , which had been designated as the international distributor earlier in 2009, to coordinate global dissemination and ongoing tool enhancements through joint research efforts with institutions like and . This integration supported broader access for international law enforcement partners, fostering a unified framework for addressing cross-border cybercrimes while upholding standardized training and evidentiary standards.

Deployment and application

Field usage procedures

The standard procedure for deploying COFEE in field investigations begins with preparation on a separate forensic . Investigators format a USB drive (recommended minimum 1 GB) and use the COFEE (GUI) to select modules based on predefined profiles, such as the NW3C Volatile Data profile tailored for incident response, or customize as needed for the case. Case are added, and the "Generate" function creates the executable toolkit on the USB without writing to the target system. In the field, the USB is inserted into the suspect machine, which must be powered on to capture volatile data. The toolkit autoruns or is manually executed via "runner.exe," prompting selection of modules through the GUI to acquire evidence like running processes, network connections, and registry artifacts while minimizing system footprint and avoiding direct writes to the hard drive to preserve original state. Data is exported to the USB for later analysis, with the process designed to complete quickly at the scene. Best practices emphasize using COFEE during the triaging phase of incident response to prioritize volatile evidence before full imaging, ensuring actions are thoroughly documented—including timestamps, module selections, and hash verifications—for court admissibility and . Investigators must avoid unnecessary interactions with the target system to prevent alterations, and the tool's design supports rapid deployment by front-line personnel with minimal technical expertise. Training requirements are managed by the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), which mandates courses for users focusing on operational use, legal considerations such as evidence reliability and compliance with protocols, and basic principles to ensure proper handling. These sessions require less than 10 minutes for basic execution training, enabling even officers with limited computer experience to deploy the tool effectively while understanding the need to balance reconnaissance with relevancy and reliability. COFEE has proven effective in crimes involving child exploitation and financial fraud by enabling on-scene capture of critical digital artifacts, such as browser history or logs, that might otherwise be lost. By preserving volatile data before shutdown or potential wiping, it reduces evidence loss from anti-forensic techniques, allowing investigators to secure information for subsequent laboratory analysis.

Integration with investigations

COFEE plays a key role in digital forensic workflows by enabling the rapid collection of volatile evidence from live systems at crime scenes, which is then exported for deeper analysis in laboratory environments using established tools such as or . The toolkit automates the execution of over 150 commands via a USB interface, generating structured reports that capture system processes, network connections, and memory artifacts with minimal alteration to the target machine, thereby preserving the integrity of data for subsequent expert examination and chain-of-custody documentation. This on-scene reduces the risk of evidence loss from powering down the system, allowing investigators to focus on high-priority artifacts before full imaging occurs. The integration of COFEE data has accelerated investigations by dramatically reducing the time required for initial evidence extraction, with agents trainable in under 10 minutes to perform collections that previously demanded specialized expertise and hours of manual effort. By prioritizing ephemeral data like active sessions and temporary files, COFEE has contributed to securing convictions in cases, particularly those involving and online exploitation rings, where timely preservation of live artifacts proved crucial to linking suspects to illicit activities. Evidence obtained through COFEE has been upheld in U.S. courts, as the underlying tools and methods align with standards for digital admissibility, including validation studies confirming reliable capture with negligible impact. COFEE is compatible only with , and its effectiveness diminishes in environments with full-disk encryption. As of 2025, while still utilized by thousands of agencies worldwide including through , with free technical support from , its applicability is limited to legacy systems due to lack of updates for modern Windows versions.

Public exposure and impact

The 2009 leak

In November 2009, an unknown individual leaked the complete COFEE toolkit to the internet via a torrent upload on the private BitTorrent tracker , where it was briefly available before administrators removed it due to security concerns for users and the site. The files rapidly spread to public torrent sites, including , despite subsequent removals and legal efforts to contain the distribution. The leaked package consisted of a USB-based suite containing more than 150 forensic applications designed to extract volatile evidence from live suspect computers. Microsoft quickly confirmed the authenticity of the materials but downplayed potential risks, with a spokesperson noting that COFEE's primary value lies in its simplified, customizable interface for non-expert users rather than any undisclosed features. The firm emphasized that the tool had always been distributed exclusively to qualified agencies through controlled channels like and the National White Collar Crime Center, underscoring the breach of those restrictions. In response, issued formal takedown notices under the to websites hosting the files, including the security archive .org, which complied by removing direct download links. The company stated its intent to mitigate further unauthorized sharing without altering the tool itself, aiming to preserve its utility for legitimate investigations. The incident immediately sparked public scrutiny of secretive tools developed by private corporations, with coverage in outlets like and highlighting privacy risks from the widespread availability of software capable of pulling sensitive data such as browser histories, encryption keys, and running processes. This exposure prompted discussions on the vulnerabilities of restricted-access technologies and their potential for misuse by non-state actors. The use of COFEE in investigations has raised significant legal questions regarding warrantless searches, particularly at U.S. borders where laptops and other electronic devices are subject to suspicionless examination under precedents like United States v. Ramsey (1977), which treats such devices as "closed containers" without requiring . During a 2008 U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on violations from searches, witnesses highlighted COFEE's capability to rapidly execute over 150 commands via USB to capture volatile data, facilitating extensive data extraction without immediate judicial oversight, potentially exceeding the scope of traditional border exceptions. The 2009 leak raised additional concerns about the tool's methods—relying on standard Windows commands and utilities—becoming replicable, which could enable defenses to argue about potential tampering in volatile environments, though no widespread admissibility challenges in court have been documented. Ethically, COFEE's design for on-scene deployment poses risks of invasion through the collection of sensitive, non-evidentiary , such as personal communications and files, often without sufficient oversight in exigent circumstances like crime scenes or arrests. The tool's ease of use, requiring minimal , amplifies concerns over misuse by unauthorized parties following , as it democratizes access to forensic extraction techniques that could be exploited for surveillance or theft beyond legal bounds. In response, the 2008 hearing catalyzed policy discussions on mandating for advanced digital searches and enhancing transparency in tools like COFEE, influencing broader U.S. Department of Justice guidelines on handling to emphasize validation and minimization of data collection. These debates have extended to forensic standards organizations, underscoring the need for standardized protocols to balance investigative efficacy with Fourth Amendment protections in live system acquisitions.

Countermeasures and responses

DECAF anti-forensic tool

DECAF, or Detect and Eliminate Computer Assisted Forensics, is a lightweight Windows application developed as a specifically targeting Microsoft's COFEE toolkit. Released in December 2009 by two anonymous hackers advocating for and the free flow of information, DECAF was designed to monitor systems in real-time for signs of COFEE deployment, such as USB insertion, and execute automated responses to thwart evidence collection. The tool's core functionality includes detecting COFEE processes and temporary files, deleting them upon identification, erasing associated logs, and killing related system processes to prevent forensic analysis. It also disables USB ports to block further device access, spoofs MAC addresses to obscure network artifacts, and offers a testing mode called "Spill the Coffee" that simulates COFEE activity for verification. Targeted primarily at systems—where COFEE performed most effectively—DECAF was a 181 KB executable that ran unobtrusively in the background, highlighting vulnerabilities in live-response forensic tools reliant on unmodified operating environments. DECAF generated significant initial buzz through media coverage shortly after its seeding on private BitTorrent trackers and the decafme.org website on December 13, , positioning it as a direct response to COFEE's exposure via a leak. However, within days, the developers withdrew all copies and disabled distribution, revealing the release as a proof-of-concept intended to raise awareness about forensic tool limitations rather than encourage malicious use. Source code was never made public, with the creators citing concerns over and potential misuse.

Broader anti-forensic developments

In response to the public disclosure of forensic tools designed for live system extraction, anti-forensic techniques proliferated in the late 2000s and 2010s, focusing on evading real-time collection from running computers. Timestomping emerged as a core method, involving the alteration of file timestamps—such as creation, modification, access, and change times—to disguise the of malicious activities and mislead investigators during timeline analysis. Similarly, memory wiping techniques targeted volatile RAM contents, using scripts or tools to overwrite logs, caches, and running artifacts before forensic acquisition could occur, thereby preventing the recovery of transient like network connections or encryption keys. Secure deletion tools, such as integrations within or standalone utilities like SDelete, further complemented these by overwriting file data multiple times with random patterns, rendering recovery via magnetic or analysis nearly impossible even against advanced live extraction attempts. Following the 2009 exposure of live forensic suites, anti-forensic development accelerated, with integrated kits appearing in penetration testing distributions like , which incorporated secure wiping tools such as scrub for compliant data destruction and deployment capabilities to hide ongoing activities. These kits emphasized automated countermeasures, including scripts to detect inserted forensic USB devices through hardware enumeration or behavioral anomalies, triggering immediate evasion actions like process termination or . Early examples, such as the DECAF tool, exemplified this shift by specifically countering automated evidence gatherers through and denial mechanisms. Such advancements compelled forensic practitioners to enhance tool resilience, shifting toward non-signature-based detection methods that rely on behavioral heuristics—such as monitoring unusual USB insertions or spawning patterns—rather than easily detectable file hashes. This evolution spurred research into robust evidence collection protocols, including volatile memory imaging under constrained conditions and multi-tool verification to bypass tampering. The resulting interplay has sustained a perpetual cat-and-mouse dynamic in investigations, where defenders continually adapt to novel evasion tactics while attackers refine their concealment strategies.

Predecessor WOLF toolkit

The Windows Live Response Tool (), also known as Windows Online Forensics, was developed by prior to 2007 as a comprehensive auditing suite primarily for incident response in enterprise environments. Created by members of Microsoft's Customer Service and Support (CSS) Team, including Robert Hensing, WOLF focused on enabling rapid analysis of live Windows systems to identify incidents without requiring extensive offline . It was initially used internally by Microsoft for and incident handling, with early limited sharing to select and partner agencies under non-disclosure agreements. WOLF's components emphasized manual, script-driven collection of system data, making it suitable for targeted enterprise audits rather than automated broad-spectrum evidence gathering. Key tools included DumpACL for extracting , registry, printer, and share permissions (DACLs and SACLs) in a readable format; utilities for process enumeration to map running applications and services; and basic memory capture mechanisms to preserve volatile data such as running processes and network connections. These features required users to select and execute components selectively, contrasting with more streamlined approaches in later tools. The suite's design prioritized quick deployment in high-stakes scenarios, such as detection on live systems, as highlighted in Hensing's 2004 presentation at the FIRST conference. As a predecessor to the Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE), WOLF served as an influential prototype that informed aspects of Microsoft's live forensics strategy, particularly in handling Windows-specific artifacts. COFEE incorporated some components from WOLF, potentially including tools for registry analysis and network activity logging, allowing for evidence preservation during active investigations. Following COFEE's public launch in 2009 through partnerships like INTERPOL and the National White Collar Crime Center, WOLF was gradually phased out in favor of the more expansive and law enforcement-oriented successor, which incorporated over 150 automated tools. This transition marked a shift from WOLF's enterprise-focused, manual operations to COFEE's emphasis on accessibility for field investigators.

Evolution in digital forensics

Following its initial release in 2009, COFEE received minor updates, such as version 1.1.2 in September 2009, and a planned update for full and 7 support was announced that year, but no major enhancements have been issued since its initial updates in 2009. has shifted toward cloud-integrated forensic solutions as successors to COFEE, notably incorporating evidence extraction and features into Azure Sentinel, a SIEM platform that supports endpoint forensics via specialized connectors for remote live response and . Open-source alternatives, such as DEFT —a bootable distribution tailored for acquisition—have filled gaps in live forensics, offering modular tools for on-scene investigations without requiring proprietary licensing. COFEE's legacy endures through its role in standardizing live response protocols, which emphasize rapid, non-disruptive artifact collection during incident response, influencing widely adopted practices in training. This standardization extended to international bodies; Microsoft licensed COFEE to and the National Center for distribution, shaping global toolkit benchmarks for scene processing. Tools like have built on these foundations, automating and evidence parsing to streamline investigations in resource-constrained environments. As of 2025, due to lack of updates since the early , COFEE is largely obsolete for and later versions, as UEFI firmware and Secure Boot implementations restrict unsigned live tools' execution, alongside deprecated APIs from its design era. It persists in legacy case handling, particularly for older systems, and continues to appear in contemporary training guides as a historical benchmark for portable forensics. The field's evolution now emphasizes AI-assisted evidence prediction, where models prioritize artifacts and forecast investigative paths—extending COFEE's quick-extraction ethos to proactive, scalable analysis amid rising data volumes.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.