Malware Analysis

Simple Definition for Beginners:

Malware analysis is the process of examining malicious software (malware) to understand its behavior, functionality, and impact on systems, with the goal of identifying and mitigating security threats.

Common Use Example:

A cybersecurity analyst conducts malware analysis to analyze a suspicious file, identify its infection vector, determine its capabilities (e.g., data theft, system damage), and develop strategies to remove the malware and prevent future infections.

Technical Definition for Professionals:

Malware analysis encompasses various techniques and methodologies used to dissect and analyze malicious software samples, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Key aspects of malware analysis include:

• Static Analysis:

o File Signature Analysis: Identify known malware based on file signatures and checksums, using antivirus databases and threat intelligence feeds.

o File Metadata Examination: Analyze file metadata (e.g., file type, size, creation date) to identify suspicious attributes and behaviors.

o Code Disassembly: Disassemble executable files to examine their assembly code, APIs, libraries, and potential malicious functions.

• Dynamic Analysis:

o Sandbox Execution: Run malware samples in controlled environments (sandboxes) to observe their behavior, interactions, network traffic, file system changes, and system calls.

o API Monitoring: Monitor application programming interfaces (APIs) calls made by malware to identify malicious activities, such as file manipulation, registry changes, and network communication.

o Behavioral Analysis: Analyze malware behavior patterns, such as persistence mechanisms, evasion techniques, privilege escalation, and payload delivery.

• Code Analysis:

o Reverse Engineering: Reverse-engineer malware binaries to understand their inner workings, encryption methods, command-and-control (C2) communication protocols, and data exfiltration mechanisms.

o Code Decompilation: Convert compiled code (e.g., machine code, bytecode) into high-level programming languages (e.g., C, Python) to analyze logic flows, algorithms, and malicious intent.

• Network Analysis:

o Packet Capture: Capture and analyze network traffic generated by malware to identify communication channels, C2 servers, data exfiltration, and malicious payloads.

o Network Protocol Analysis: Decode and interpret network protocols (e.g., HTTP, DNS) used by malware for command transmission, data transfer, and reconnaissance activities.

• Report Generation:

o Document Findings: Compile detailed reports summarizing malware characteristics, behaviors, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and recommended mitigation strategies.

o IOC Sharing: Share IOCs, malware samples, and analysis reports with threat intelligence communities, security vendors, and internal security teams for threat detection and prevention.

Malware analysis is crucial for cybersecurity teams to understand evolving threats, improve incident response, develop threat intelligence, and enhance defensive strategies against advanced malware attacks.