🦠 Malware Analysis
Master the art of malware reverse engineering - From static analysis to dynamic behavior analysis
Advanced LevelOverview
Malware Analysis is a critical skill for understanding and defending against modern threats. This comprehensive module covers both static and dynamic analysis techniques, reverse engineering methodologies, and threat intelligence gathering. You'll learn to dissect malicious software, understand attack patterns, and develop effective countermeasures.
Learning Objectives
- Master static and dynamic malware analysis techniques
- Develop expertise in reverse engineering and disassembly
- Learn unpacking and obfuscation removal techniques
- Understand malware family classification and attribution
- Master sandbox analysis and behavioral detection
- Develop threat intelligence and IOCs extraction skills
🔍 Static Analysis
File Format Analysis
Understanding and analyzing different executable file formats and structures.
- PE (Portable Executable) format analysis
- ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) analysis
- Mach-O format analysis
- Document-based malware analysis
String Analysis
Extracting and analyzing strings from malware samples for intelligence gathering.
- String extraction techniques
- Encrypted string identification
- URL and domain extraction
- API function analysis
Import/Export Analysis
Analyzing import and export tables to understand malware functionality.
- DLL import analysis
- API function identification
- Dynamic import resolution
- Export function analysis
🏃 Dynamic Analysis
Sandbox Analysis
Running malware in controlled environments to observe behavior.
- Sandbox setup and configuration
- Behavioral monitoring techniques
- Network traffic analysis
- File system monitoring
Process Monitoring
Monitoring malware process behavior and system interactions.
- Process creation monitoring
- Registry key monitoring
- Memory analysis techniques
- Inter-process communication
Network Analysis
Analyzing malware network communications and C2 infrastructure.
- C2 communication analysis
- Protocol reverse engineering
- DNS analysis and tracking
- Traffic decryption techniques
🔧 Reverse Engineering
Disassembly Techniques
Disassembling malware binaries to understand their code structure.
- x86/x64 disassembly
- ARM disassembly
- Disassembler tool usage
- Code flow analysis
Debugging Skills
Using debuggers to step through malware execution and understand logic.
- Debugger setup and configuration
- Breakpoint strategies
- Memory manipulation
- Anti-debugging bypass
Code Reconstruction
Reconstructing malware logic and understanding attack techniques.
- Control flow analysis
- Data flow analysis
- Algorithm identification
- Malware logic mapping
📦 Unpacking & Obfuscation
Packing Detection
Identifying packed and obfuscated malware samples.
- Entropy analysis
- Packer signature detection
- UPX and custom packers
- Polymorphic malware detection
Unpacking Techniques
Unpacking and deobfuscating malware samples for analysis.
- Manual unpacking methods
- Automated unpacking tools
- Dump and fix techniques
- Import reconstruction
Anti-Analysis Bypass
Bypassing anti-analysis and anti-debugging techniques.
- Virtual machine detection bypass
- Sandbox evasion techniques
- Anti-debugging countermeasures
- Timing-based detection bypass
🎯 Malware Family Analysis
Ransomware Analysis
Analyzing ransomware families and their encryption techniques.
- Ransomware family identification
- Encryption algorithm analysis
- Key recovery techniques
- Ransomware-as-a-Service analysis
Banking Trojans
Analyzing banking trojans and financial malware.
- Web injection techniques
- Form grabbing analysis
- Man-in-the-browser attacks
- Cryptocurrency targeting
APT Malware
Analyzing Advanced Persistent Threat malware and techniques.
- APT group attribution
- Custom protocol analysis
- Persistence mechanisms
- Lateral movement techniques
📊 Threat Intelligence
IOC Extraction
Extracting Indicators of Compromise from malware samples.
- IP address extraction
- Domain name extraction
- File hash generation
- Behavioral indicators
YARA Rules
Creating and using YARA rules for malware detection and classification.
- YARA rule writing
- Pattern matching techniques
- Rule optimization
- YARA rule sharing
Malware Reporting
Creating comprehensive malware analysis reports and documentation.
- Technical report writing
- Executive summary creation
- IOC documentation
- Mitigation recommendations
🧪 Hands-on Lab: Advanced Malware Analysis
Objective: Perform a comprehensive analysis of a real-world malware sample.
Duration: 8-10 hours
Skills Practiced: Static analysis, dynamic analysis, reverse engineering, threat intelligence
Start Lab Exercise🛠️ Essential Tools
Static Analysis Tools
- IDA Pro: Professional disassembler and debugger
- Ghidra: Free reverse engineering framework
- Radare2: Open source reverse engineering
- PEiD: PE file analysis tool
Dynamic Analysis Tools
- Process Monitor: Real-time file system monitoring
- Process Hacker: Advanced process analysis
- Wireshark: Network protocol analysis
- Fiddler: HTTP traffic analysis
Specialized Tools
- YARA: Malware pattern matching
- Cuckoo Sandbox: Automated malware analysis
- Volatility: Memory forensics framework
- PEview: PE file viewer and analyzer
📋 Recommended Resources
- Practical Malware Analysis - Comprehensive malware analysis guide
- The IDA Pro Book - IDA Pro reverse engineering guide
- Malware Analyst's Cookbook - Practical analysis techniques
- Windows Malware Analysis Essentials - Windows-specific techniques
- Malware Reverse Engineering - Advanced analysis methods
🎯 Certification Alignment
Malware Analysis Certifications
This module covers essential malware analysis certifications:
- ✅ GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)
- ✅ GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
- ✅ Certified Malware Analyst
- ✅ Reverse Engineering Certification
📈 Learning Progress
Track your malware analysis expertise:
Complete the sections above to track your progress