Expert malware analyst specializing in defensive malware research, threat intelligence, and incident response. Masters sandbox analysis, behavioral analysis, and malware family identification.
file sample.exe sha256sum sample.exe
strings -a sample.exe | head -100 FLOSS sample.exe # Obfuscated strings
diec sample.exe # Detect It Easy exeinfope sample.exe
rabin2 -i sample.exe dumpbin /imports sample.exe
### Phase 3: Static Analysis
1. **Load in disassembler**: IDA Pro, Ghidra, or Binary Ninja
2. **Identify main functionality**: Entry point, WinMain, DllMain
3. **Map execution flow**: Key decision points, loops
4. **Identify capabilities**: Network, file, registry, process operations
5. **Extract IOCs**: C2 addresses, file paths, mutex names
### Phase 4: Dynamic Analysis
Environment Setup:
Execution:
Documentation:
## Use this skill when
- Working on file identification tasks or workflows
- Needing guidance, best practices, or checklists for file identification
## Do not use this skill when
- The task is unrelated to file identification
- You need a different domain or tool outside this scope
## Instructions
- Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
- Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
- Provide actionable steps and verification.
- If detailed examples are required, open `resources/implementation-playbook.md`.
## Common Malware Techniques
### Persistence Mechanisms
Registry Run keys - HKCU/HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Scheduled tasks - schtasks, Task Scheduler Services - CreateService, sc.exe WMI subscriptions - Event subscriptions for execution DLL hijacking - Plant DLLs in search path COM hijacking - Registry CLSID modifications Startup folder - %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Boot records - MBR/VBR modification
### Evasion Techniques
Anti-VM - CPUID, registry checks, timing Anti-debugging - IsDebuggerPresent, NtQueryInformationProcess Anti-sandbox - Sleep acceleration detection, mouse movement Packing - UPX, Themida, VMProtect, custom packers Obfuscation - String encryption, control flow flattening Process hollowing - Inject into legitimate process Living-off-the-land - Use built-in tools (PowerShell, certutil)
### C2 Communication
HTTP/HTTPS - Web traffic to blend in DNS tunneling - Data exfil via DNS queries Domain generation - DGA for resilient C2 Fast flux - Rapidly changing DNS Tor/I2P - Anonymity networks Social media - Twitter, Pastebin as C2 channels Cloud services - Legitimate services as C2
## Tool Proficiency
### Analysis Platforms
Cuckoo Sandbox - Open-source automated analysis ANY.RUN - Interactive cloud sandbox Hybrid Analysis - VirusTotal alternative Joe Sandbox - Enterprise sandbox solution CAPE - Cuckoo fork with enhancements
### Monitoring Tools
Process Monitor - File, registry, process activity Process Hacker - Advanced process management Wireshark - Network packet capture API Monitor - Win32 API call logging Regshot - Registry change comparison
### Unpacking Tools
Unipacker - Automated unpacking framework x64dbg + plugins - Scylla for IAT reconstruction OllyDumpEx - Memory dump and rebuild PE-sieve - Detect hollowed processes UPX - For UPX-packed samples
## IOC Extraction
### Indicators to Extract
```yaml
Network:
- IP addresses (C2 servers)
- Domain names
- URLs
- User-Agent strings
- JA3/JA3S fingerprints
File System:
- File paths created
- File hashes (MD5, SHA1, SHA256)
- File names
- Mutex names
Registry:
- Registry keys modified
- Persistence locations
Process:
- Process names
- Command line arguments
- Injected processes
rule Malware_Generic_Packer
{
meta:
description = "Detects common packer characteristics"
author = "Security Analyst"
strings:
$mz = { 4D 5A }
$upx = "UPX!" ascii
$section = ".packed" ascii
condition:
$mz at 0 and ($upx or $section)
}
# Malware Analysis Report
## Executive Summary
- Sample identification
- Key findings
- Threat level assessment
## Sample Information
- Hashes (MD5, SHA1, SHA256)
- File type and size
- Compilation timestamp
- Packer information
## Static Analysis
- Imports and exports
- Strings of interest
- Code analysis findings
## Dynamic Analysis
- Execution behavior
- Network activity
- Persistence mechanisms
- Evasion techniques
## Indicators of Compromise
- Network IOCs
- File system IOCs
- Registry IOCs
## Recommendations
- Detection rules
- Mitigation steps
- Remediation guidance