Cybrary ForgeCYBRARY / FORGE

Volatility 3

v2.7.0Volatility Foundation

The reference memory-analysis framework. Plugins enumerate processes, injected code, hidden modules, network endpoints and credentials from a memory image. The range's vol.py reads authored memory fixtures.

Category
Digital forensics & reverse engineering
Package
volatility3
Runs on
Linux · Windows
Commands
vol, vol.py, volatility, volatility3

Plugins read authored memory-image fixtures. No physical memory is ever accessed.

Install it

The scripts below install the real Volatility Foundation package on your own machine — read them first, and run them somewhere you are allowed to change. Inside the range, one press puts the simulated package on your next machine.

Linux installer (shell script)
install-volatility.sh
Windows installer (PowerShell)
Install-volatility.ps1

Volatility 3 has no unattended Windows install. Follow the steps on the package page.

On a range machine
Add it to your kit and every machine you launch comes with it.

On Linux

Python (pip)

  1. Install the interpreter tooling
    sudo apt install -y python3-pip
  2. Install Volatility 3
    python3 -m pip install volatility3

    Use a virtual environment on a shared host so the system Python stays clean.

Debian, Ubuntu, Kali (apt)

  1. Refresh the package lists
    sudo apt update
  2. Install Volatility 3
    sudo apt install -y volatility3

Check it worked

  1. Confirm it landed on PATH
    which vol
  2. Check the version
    vol --version

    The range reports 2.7.0.

Remove it

  1. Take it off again
    python3 -m pip uninstall volatility3

On Windows

Python (pip)

  1. Install Python
    winget install --id Python.Python.3.12 -e
  2. Install Volatility 3
    py -m pip install volatility3

Check it worked

  1. Confirm it resolves
    where vol
  2. Check the version
    vol --version

    The range reports 2.7.0.

Remove it

  1. Take it off again
    winget uninstall --id volatility3

Inside the range

  1. Tick it on the launch screen

    Under Volatility 3's category on the advanced tool shelf. A lab that depends on it locks the toggle on and says why.

  2. Or install it from a range terminal
    sudo apt install -y volatility3

    The simulated package manager seeds the same binaries, config and receipt the shelf toggle does.

  3. Everything here is simulated

    No software is downloaded and nothing executes — the range answers from authored fixtures.

Labs that use Volatility 3

  • Reps: Dead Box and Live RAMOne sample, one memory capture, one report. Hash and scan the dropper with real YARA, then run upstream Volatility 3 locally against a selected dump to find what pslist will not show you — and submit the findings.
  • Reps: Seeded Payload DropBreak into the Tomcat panel with Metasploit, drop the seeded payload, then take the artifact into Forge Triage. Grade on SHA-256, imphash and a YARA rule that fires on this sample.