Timestomp-GUI Features: Quick Tour and Practical ExamplesTimestomp-GUI is a graphical front-end for timestomping tools that alter file timestamps on Windows systems. Originally popularized in forensic and anti-forensic contexts, timestomping modifies values such as Created, Modified, Accessed, and MFT (Master File Table) timestamps so that files appear to have different temporal metadata than they actually do. A GUI version lowers the barrier for users who prefer a point-and-click interface over command-line utilities, making it useful for red team operations, forensic testing, incident response simulations, and educational demonstrations.
What Timestomp-GUI Does (Quick Overview)
Timestomp-GUI typically lets users:
- View and edit basic NTFS file timestamps: Created, Modified, and Accessed.
- Modify MFT-related timestamps like MFT Entry Modified when supported.
- Clone timestamps from one file to another (timestamp copying).
- Randomize timestamps within user-specified ranges.
- Restore original timestamps from backups (if the tool implements backup/restore).
- Log changes and export reports for auditing or documentation.
Why People Use Timestomp-GUI
- Red teams use GUI timestomping during adversary simulation to obfuscate timelines, test detection rules, and evaluate EDR/forensic coverage.
- DFIR practitioners use it to validate forensic tools and to create test artifacts that emulate real-world anti-forensic activity.
- Instructors and students use it for teaching how timestamps work, the limitations of forensic recovery, and to demonstrate how investigators detect tampering.
Important Ethical & Legal Note
Using timestomping tools on systems without explicit authorization is illegal and unethical. Always obtain written permission for testing or training on systems you do not own. The rest of this article assumes lawful, authorized use for testing, defense, or education.
GUI Walkthrough: Typical Interface and Controls
Most Timestomp-GUI implementations share similar layout and controls. Below is a walkthrough of common elements and what they do.
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File Selector
- Browse to choose a target file or drag-and-drop support.
- Shows file attributes and current timestamps.
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Timestamp Fields
- Editable fields for Created, Modified, and Accessed timestamps.
- Date/time pickers for precise entry; sometimes quick presets (e.g., “Now”, “Zero”, “Random”).
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MFT / Advanced Timestamps
- Option to view or edit MFT timestamps, such as the MFT record change time.
- Requires administrative privileges and direct NTFS metadata manipulation.
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Clone/Copy Timestamps
- UI to select a source file from which timestamps will be copied to the target file.
- Useful for making files appear related.
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Randomization Controls
- Set a range (start/end dates) and optionally a seed for reproducibility.
- Options to randomize only certain timestamp types.
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Backup & Restore
- Save original timestamps to an exportable file (for later restoration).
- Enables safe experimentation on test systems.
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Audit Log / Report
- Shows actions taken, before/after values.
- Exportable to CSV or JSON for documentation.
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Apply/Undo Buttons
- Apply writes changes to disk; Undo attempts to restore previous state from backups.
How Timestomp-GUI Works (Brief Technical Background)
On NTFS volumes, most file timestamps are maintained in directory entries and the file’s MFT record. GUI tools typically use Windows APIs (SetFileTime, GetFileTime) for standard timestamps (Created, Modified, Accessed). For MFT-level changes, tools may need to interact with lower-level APIs or kernel drivers, or directly write to raw NTFS metadata—operations that often require administrative privileges and carry higher risk.
Practical Examples
Below are hands-on examples demonstrating typical Timestomp-GUI workflows. These examples assume a controlled test environment and administrative access where required.
Example 1 — Set precise timestamps
- Select file “report.docx”.
- In the timestamp fields set Created = 2020-01-15 08:30:00, Modified = 2020-01-15 08:35:00, Accessed = 2020-01-16 09:00:00.
- Click Apply. Verify with Windows Explorer properties or the command-line tool (e.g., PowerShell Get-Item).
Example 2 — Clone timestamps from another file
- Select source “invoice.pdf” and target “malware.exe”.
- Use Clone Timestamps → Apply.
- Both files now show matching Created/Modified/Accessed times.
Example 3 — Randomize timestamps within a range
- Choose file set (folder) and set range 2019-01-01 to 2019-12-31.
- Select randomize Created/Modified only, seed = 42 for reproducibility.
- Apply; inspect resulting timestamps to verify distribution.
Example 4 — Modify MFT timestamps (advanced)
- Select target file; enable MFT editing mode (UAC/admin required).
- Edit the MFT Entry Modified timestamp to align with a timeline.
- Apply and check using forensic tools that display MFT record times.
Example 5 — Backup and restore
- Before experimenting, click Backup Timestamps (exports JSON).
- Make changes to multiple test files.
- Use Restore to revert to original timestamps from the backup file.
Detecting Timestomp Activity: For Defenders
While timestomping alters visible timestamps, there are forensic traces defenders can use:
- Timestamps inconsistent with other system artifacts (Windows event logs, application logs, prefetch files).
- Mismatched MAC times vs. file content modification (content indicates a different edit time).
- File system journal and USN records that show previous timestamps.
- Volume Shadow Copies and backups retaining original metadata.
- Anti-forensic tool footprints (specific API usage patterns, creation of helper files).
Best Practices for Legitimate Use
- Always test on isolated systems with backups and clear authorization.
- Keep backups of original timestamps and a detailed audit log.
- Use reproducible settings (seeds) when generating randomized timestamps for testing.
- Combine timestomping tests with monitoring to evaluate detection capability.
Limitations & Risks
- Some timestamps cannot be fully controlled without risky low-level operations.
- Timestomping does not alter logs external to the file system (e.g., application logs).
- Incorrect use can corrupt file system metadata or break backups.
- Modern EDR and forensic pipelines may flag or recover evidence of tampering.
Conclusion
Timestomp-GUI provides an accessible interface for manipulating file timestamps, useful in red team exercises, DFIR testing, and education. It simplifies common workflows—editing timestamps, cloning, randomizing, and restoring—while shielding users from command-line complexity. Always use it responsibly, document changes, and operate in authorized test environments.
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