Volatility 3
Volatility 3 is the memory-forensics framework for analysing RAM captures to list processes, network connections and injected code.
Legal & ethical use. Use this tool only on systems, networks and data that you own or have explicit written permission to test. Unauthorised access or scanning can break computer-misuse laws (for example Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and equivalents elsewhere). Practise in your own lab or in authorised environments such as CTFs.
What it is used for
- Investigate a memory dump from a lab incident
- List running processes and command lines at capture time
Key features
- Plugin-based analysis
- Windows, Linux and macOS support
- Python 3 framework
Installation
Install with pip or clone the repository; see the documentation for symbol tables.
Beginner usage guide
Start with process listing plugins, then drill into suspicious processes using handles, network and malfind-style plugins.
Example commands
Run these only against your own lab or authorised targets. Placeholder addresses such as 192.0.2.x are documentation ranges.
List processes in a Windows memory image
vol -f memory.raw windows.pslist-f selects the memory image and the plugin name selects the analysis. Command name may be `vol` or `vol.py`.
Keep learning
🎓 Learning path: Digital Forensics
References
Source verification
Last reviewed: 2026-10-27
Links checked over HTTP: 2026-10-27 07:51 UTC — official: 200, docs: 200, repo: 200
Commands were written from the official documentation and have not been executed on this site; test them in your lab.