Brim TryHackMe – The synergy of Brim and TryHackMe serves as a powerful and accessible combination for both cybersecurity professionals and novice learners interested in network forensics and packet analysis. This guide aims to help Brim users in TryHackMe labs to efficiently analyze PCAP files and detect anomalies while developing practical threat-hunting skills.
🔍 What is Brim?
Brim is an innovative open-source desktop application for performing network traffic analysis. It features a user-friendly interface for manipulating Zeek logs, Suricata alerts, and PCAP files. Like many other open-source tools, Brim adds value to the community by simplifying complex data through brute force indexing and event display. This user-friendly characteristic is appreciated by both beginners and experienced users.
Brim works well in combination with TryHackMe, a gamified learning platform for cybersecurity. Brim is enhanced by TryHackMe rooms, in particular those focusing on network forensics, that feature downloadable PCAP files. These rooms allow users to work with Brim and learn through exploration.
🧭 Getting Started: Preconditions
Before embarking on the Brim TryHackMe lab, ensure the following prerequisites are set:
1:Install Brim
Brim’s latest version can be obtained from https://www.brimdata.io
It can be installed on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems
2:Create a TryHackMe Account
Visit https://tryhackme.com
You may register for a complimentary account
Search for rooms on packet analysis “Intro to Network Analysis,” “Packet Detective,” “Windows Investigation”
3:Download a Sample PCAP File
Within a TryHackMe lab, there is usually a .pcap or .pcapng file available for download
It is best to store the file on the desktop or a specific working directory
🚀 Brim TryHackMe Lab Walkthrough
Step 1: Brim Launch
Open the Brim application. Brim presents users with a simplistic user interface for the first time. Click on “Import” and find the .pcap file you obtained from TryHackMe’s room. Brim will work its magic and process the file, generating indexed logs for convenient navigation.
Step 2: Brim’s Interface Navigation
Brim’s structured exposition of the network capture serves its users with organized logs:
- Connection logs: Capture and display the source and destination IPs, ports, and used protocols within a timeframe.
- HTTP logs: Capture and display all eHTTP requests with its headers.
- DNS logs: Capture and display all domain lookups.
- SSL logs: Capture and display all the detailed SSL and TLS connections.
- Files logs: Capture and display all attempted file transfers.
As with the Google searching experience, events can also be filtered with the query bar, which operates similarly to search terms and SQL queries.
Step 3: Commence your Investigation
On TryHackMe, your assignments could be formulated in this manner for the tasks such as:
- Identify the IP address responsible for the suspicious activity.
- Identify the file downloaded over HTTP.
- Identify the domain the attacker interacted with.
Utilize Brim’s search bar and filters to answer the above. For example:
- To search for all HTTP requests:
event_type = http
- To search for connections to a given IP:
id.resp_h = 10.10.10.10
- To search for DNS queries:
event_type = dns
You can click on any of the results to open hypertext documents which contain logs with all the details such as time, ports, hostnames, user agents, and much more.
Step 4: Bookmark or Export the Findings
- Brim Tools allows you to:
- Export the logs in sections as .csv or .json
- Bookmark particular logs.
- Add notes within the application (very useful in CTF-style tasks).
You can submit results to TryHackMe or compile the report while retaining the described functionality and submitting documents with evidence of logs and notes required.
Step 5: Finalize the TryHackMe Lab
Analyze the information as much as needed to gather the required information, and answer the questions to go back and submit your responses on TryHackMe. In contrast to using Wireshark alone, Brim’s structured data view enhances the likelihood of detecting anomalies in.
🧠 Beginner’s Advice
Practice search completion to master Brim’s syntax
- Use filter combination alongside timestamps (e.g., ts > 2023-07-30T12:00:00Z)
- Perform holistic explorations rather than linear searches: DNS → HTTP → File
- Join Discord servers or cybersecurity communities to broaden your search
✅ Benefits of Brim and TryHackMe Integration
Enhanced Focus: Brim’s log indexing enables faster filtering to focus on log analysis rather than navigation.
- User-friendly Interface: Far more intuitive than the complex panels on Wireshark.
- Handles large PCAPs without performance degradation.
- Deeper integration enhances log access visibility.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is knowledge of Zeek or Wireshark a prerequisite to using Brim?
A: No. Brim’s interface is straightforward and does not require prior knowledge. Basic Zeek or Wireshark knowledge may increase your proficiency.
Q2: Is it possible to open .pcapng files using Brim?
A: Brim is compatible with both .pcap and .pcapng file formats.
Q3: Does Brim surpass Wireshark in terms of effectiveness for TryHackMe labs?
A: They serve different purposes. Wireshark is great for deep packet inspection; Brim is better for structured analysis and quick filtering.
Q4: Is an internet connection required for Brim?
A: Only to download and install it. Once installed, it functions offline for local PCAP analysis.
Q5: Do any TryHackMe rooms specifically recommend Brim?
A: Rooms dealing with Windows Forensics, Threat Hunting, and even Packet Analysis benefit from Brim, even if they do not specifically recommend it.
Conclusion
Beginners attempting to delve deeper into cyber security will find Brim and TryHackMe to be a superior combination. Throught its intuitive and efficient interface, Brim assists with less daunting packet analysis, allowing users to uncover and understand patterns in traffic, build forensic skills, and conduct thorough investigations. Brim is the perfect companion in the lab for any learner trying to advance their practical skills with simple, streamlined, and user-friendly equipment.