Metaverse forensics framework: A NIST based investigation framework for metaverse

Abstract

The Metaverse is an intersection of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality that offers users an interactive virtual environment. This new technology has enormous possibilities for both people and companies. However, owing to the existence of inherent vulnerabilities associated with Metaverse, misconduct is a major concern. The Metaverse is set to greatly impact the global technology and commercial landscapes as it develops into a substantial technological platform. The Metaverse operates as an online platform that enables users to access and move about in virtual worlds through the usage of gadgets. Through the use of the digital twin design, which is frequently used in smart cities, closely mimics the real world. Even if the Metaverse is still in its early phases, there is already cause for alarm because of the possibility of criminal activity there. Therefore, conducting a digital forensic investigation within the Metaverse is essential to investigate crimes like virtual theft, fraud, money laundering, and burglary. In this research, the authors present a Metaverse forensic framework that classifies artifacts and maps them with the phases of the Cyber Kill Chain (CKC). The framework is based on the latest NIST digital forensic framework. The applicability of the proposed framework has been demonstrated by an application example that follows a typical malware attack.