This article examines obfuscation techniques used in popular malware families, and offers some insights into possible opportunities for automating unpacking of these malware samples.
Palo Alto researchers will examine these behaviors in samples we have observed, showing how to extract their configuration parameters through unpacking each stage. Performing this same process through automation would allow a sandbox performing static analysis to extract crucial malware configuration parameters from such samples. Malware authors increasingly use advanced obfuscation techniques to evade sandbox detection, enabling widespread distribution. Static analysis is a process performed by sandboxes for examining samples, without directly executing them.
Read more…
Source: Palo Alto Unit 42
Related:
- Attack Uses Docker Containers To Hide, Persist, Plant Malware
July 27, 2017
A novel attack vector allows for adversaries to abuse the Docker API to hide malware on targeted systems, and even execute remote code. The proof of concept attack was developed by researchers at Aqua Security, and the technique was first demonstrated today at Black Hat by Sagie Dulce, senior security researcher, with Aqua Security. The attack works ...
- Critical RCE Vulnerability Found in Cisco WebEx Extensions, Again — Patch Now!
July 17, 2017
A highly critical vulnerability has been discovered in the Cisco Systems’ WebEx browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, for the second time in this year, which could allow attackers to remotely execute malicious code on a victim’s computer. Cisco WebEx is a popular communication tool for online events, including meetings, webinars and video conferences that help ...
- NSA Advocates Data Sharing Framework
June 23, 2017
The economics of cybersecurity are skewed in favor of attackers, who invest once and can launch thousands of attacks with a piece of malware or exploit kit. That’s why Neal Ziring, technical director for the NSA’s Capabilities Directorate, wants to flip the financial equation on bad guys. “We need to conduct defenses in a way that ...