Search and hunting workflows over supported log and artifact inputs. Applicability depends on input type, rule mapping, command mode, and release.
Can the matched fields be traced back to the original record?
Search terms and rule mappings select a view of an input. A matching string can appear in a field whose meaning differs from the investigator’s initial assumption. Inspect the native record and mapped field before treating the result as the described behavior.
Preserve a reproducible analysis
Keep the original files, rule pack and mapping version, relevant settings, output, and any parse errors. Record the paths and identifiers that connect a match to a source. Preserve the searched collection boundary so a later reviewer can assess omissions.
A useful validation question
Use representative source records containing the target field, a close but irrelevant match, and an unsupported variant. Check whether the search and rule mode interpret fields in the same way. Reconcile disagreements with another method at the record level.
Project and applicability record
- Purpose
- Event-log search and rule triage
- Input
- Supported forensic artifacts, logs and rule mappings
- Analysis platform
- Cross-platform; verify requirements for the selected release and feature.
- License / cost
- GPL-3.0 identified in repository metadata; verify accompanying rule and dependency terms separately. Upstream source and license files
- Maintenance observation
- Repository not archived; recorded upstream push 2026-10-14T17:46:39Z. Activity does not guarantee support.
- Exact version tested here
- None. Documentation and repository metadata checks only.
Original sources and next steps
- Official Chainsaw documentation
Producer documentation; select the release relevant to your analysis.
- WithSecureLabs/chainsaw
Original upstream source repository.
- Release history and changes
Upstream release availability is separate from local validation.
- Plan a bounded validation study
Check the feature and input format that support the conclusion.
- Verify the input and derivatives
Keep analysis outputs traceable to preserved sources.