Introduction to Malware and Analysis Techniques

Definition: Malicious software designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise compromise devices and networks.
Types:
- Viruses: Attach to clean files and spread to other clean files.
- Worms: Self-replicate across networks without user intervention.
- Trojans: Disguise as legitimate software but perform malicious actions.
- Ransomware: Encrypts files and demands ransom for restoration.
- Adware: Displays unwanted advertisements.
- Spyware: Gathers user information without consent.

Definition: Analyzing malware without executing it.
Techniques:
- Code review: Examining the source code or binaries.
- File analysis: Checking file properties, signatures, and attributes.
- Hex dump: Analyzing the binary content in hexadecimal format.
- Strings analysis: Extracting human-readable strings from binaries.
Tools: PE Explorer, IDA Pro, Ghidra.

Definition: Executing malware in a controlled environment to observe its behavior.
Environment: Typically performed in a sandbox or virtual machine.
Monitoring:
- System calls: Tracking interactions with the operating system.
- File system changes: Observing file modifications, creations, and deletions.
- Network activity: Analyzing outbound connections and data transmission.
Tools: Cuckoo Sandbox, Process Monitor, Wireshark.

Definition: Understanding how malware behaves during execution.
Focus Areas:
- Payload execution: What actions does the malware perform?
- Persistence mechanisms: How does it maintain presence on the system?
- Impact assessment: Evaluating the damage caused by malware.
Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): Identifying patterns that signify malware presence.

Definition: Breaking down malware to understand its components and functionality.
Process:
- Disassembly: Converting binary code into assembly language.
- Decompilation: Transforming binaries back into high-level code.
- Analysis of algorithms: Understanding cryptographic functions and obfuscation techniques.
Goals: Identify vulnerabilities, develop detection signatures, and create removal tools.

Categories:
- By delivery method: Email attachments, drive-by downloads, infected software.
- By target: Personal computers, mobile devices, enterprise systems, IoT devices.
- By purpose: Data theft, disruption of services, data corruption, espionage.
Evolution: Malware is constantly evolving, utilizing new techniques and technologies to avoid detection and increase effectiveness.

Malicious software (malware) is engineered to damage or compromise computers and networks.
Viruses attach themselves to clean files, allowing them to spread when users interact with infected files.
Worms autonomously propagate across networks without user engagement or action.
Trojans impersonate legitimate software but execute harmful activities once installed.
Ransomware encrypts user files and demands payment to restore access.
Adware bombards users with unsolicited advertisements, often leading to unwanted data collection.
Spyware secretly gathers personal information from users, often without their knowledge.

Involves reviewing malware without executing it, offering insights into its structure and potential impact.
Code review enables examination of source codes or binaries to detect vulnerabilities or malicious intentions.
File analysis assesses file characteristics, including properties, signatures, and attributes for anomalies.
Hex dump involves inspecting the binary data of files in hexadecimal format for clues on functionality.
Strings analysis extracts readable strings from binaries, which may reveal commands or functions.
Utilizes tools like PE Explorer, IDA Pro, and Ghidra for effective analysis.

Conducted by running malware in a controlled setting (sandbox or virtual machine) to observe real-time behavior.
Monitoring system calls helps track how malware interacts with the operating system during execution.
File system changes are scrutinized to see if malware modifies, creates, or deletes files on the host.
Network activity is analyzed to observe any outbound connections or data exfiltration attempts.
Tools such as Cuckoo Sandbox, Process Monitor, and Wireshark are essential for this analysis.

Focuses on assessing the operational behavior of malware during its execution phase.
Payload execution examines the specific actions taken by malware once it has installed or activated.
Persistence mechanisms explore how malware ensures it remains active and undetected on a system post-infection.
Impact assessment evaluates the extent of damage caused by the malware to systems, data, or networks.
Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) are patterns or signatures used to identify potential malware presence.

Involves disassembling malware to comprehend its inner workings and functionality.
Disassembly rewrites binary code into assembly language, making it easier to analyze.
Decompilation aims to convert binaries back into a high-level programming language for better understanding.
Analysis includes evaluating algorithms used for encryption or obfuscation to uncover implementation methods.
Goals include identifying vulnerabilities in the malware, devising detection signatures, and creating remedial tools.

Malware can be categorized based on the method of delivery, such as through email attachments or infected downloads.
Target classification includes personal computers, mobile devices, enterprise networks, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Purposes of malware span data theft, service disruption, data corruption, and corporate espionage.
The malware landscape is continuously evolving, adopting novel techniques to circumvent detection and enhance functionality.