Disassembly using IDA
Static Code Analysis
Static code analysis involves examining a program’s code (or binary) without executing it. This method
allows researchers to identify potential functionality, backdoors, or vulnerabilities within the software.
When analyzing malware, static disassembly tools like IDA Pro (Interactive Disassembler) are
indispensable, as they help decode a binary into a human-readable assembly language format.
What is Static Analysis?
Static analysis is the process of inspecting the code at rest to understand its structure, logic, and intent.
Unlike dynamic analysis, which observes the behavior of a running program, static analysis focuses on
uncovering the inner workings of the binary, such as the functions it calls, its dependencies, and its
control flow. In the context of malware analysis, static analysis is critical for deciphering obfuscated or
packed code that might not fully reveal its behavior during execution.
How IDA Pro Assists in Static Analysis
IDA Pro is one of the most powerful tools for static analysis. It converts machine code into assembly
language, providing a disassembled view of the binary. With features such as cross-referencing, graph-
based control flow views, and plugin extensions, IDA Pro enables analysts to gain deep insights into the
binary’s functionality.
1. Disassembly View: IDA Pro translates machine code into assembly instructions, allowing analysts
to inspect individual operations. This view reveals how the binary interacts with memory,
registers, and APIs.
2. Graph View: The graph view visualizes the control flow of functions, making it easier to
understand how different parts of the program interact.
3. Cross-References (XREFs): Cross-referencing in IDA Pro shows where specific functions,
variables, or strings are used within the code. This feature is especially useful when tracking how
malicious binaries call critical Windows APIs.
Challenges
Static analysis has its limitations. Malware authors often use techniques like packing, obfuscation, and
encryption to prevent disassembly or make the code hard to read. Despite these challenges, IDA Pro’s
capability to analyze packed code, identify strings, and follow indirect calls makes it an invaluable tool.
Disassembling Windows API
Windows APIs are a collection of functions provided by Microsoft for developers to interact with the
Windows operating system. Malware often heavily relies on these APIs for tasks like file handling,
process injection, and communication with the command-and-control (C2) server. Disassembling a
binary with IDA Pro helps analysts understand how these APIs are used.
Identifying Windows API Calls
IDA Pro’s Import Table allows analysts to identify which Windows APIs the binary imports. Common APIs
used by malware include:
• CreateProcess: Used to create new processes, often for injecting malicious code.
• VirtualAlloc: Allocates memory, frequently used for storing payloads or shellcode.
• LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress: Used to dynamically load DLLs and resolve function addresses.
• WriteProcessMemory: Writes data into another process’s address space, enabling process
injection.
Analyzing API Functionality
By examining the control flow in IDA Pro, analysts can trace how the binary interacts with these APIs. For
instance:
• If VirtualAlloc is called, the analyst might check if the allocated memory is later executed,
indicating malicious payload storage.
• If LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress are used, the malware could be resolving API addresses
dynamically, bypassing static imports to evade detection.
Benefits of Disassembling Windows APIs
1. Behavior Identification: Understanding API usage helps determine the binary’s behavior (e.g.,
persistence, network communication).
2. Code Injection Detection: By analyzing calls to WriteProcessMemory or CreateRemoteThread,
analysts can identify attempts to inject code into legitimate processes.
3. Tracking Persistence: Analyzing registry-related APIs (e.g., RegSetValue) can reveal malware
persistence mechanisms.
Disassembling Windows APIs with IDA Pro is essential for identifying how malware interacts with the
operating system, revealing its intentions and potential impact.
Debugging Malicious Binaries
General Concepts of Debugging
Debugging is the process of analyzing a program’s execution to observe its behavior, identify errors, or
understand its logic. In the context of malware analysis, debugging malicious binaries allows analysts to
observe runtime behavior, bypass obfuscation, and extract hidden payloads. Debugging involves tools
like x64dbg, OllyDbg, and WinDbg, which provide a controlled environment to step through the
program’s execution.
Key Concepts in Debugging
1. Breakpoints: Breakpoints are used to pause execution at specific instructions. They allow
analysts to inspect the state of the CPU, memory, and registers at that moment.
2. Stepping: This involves executing the program one instruction at a time. Analysts can “step into”
function calls to observe their execution or “step over” to skip them.
3. Tracing: Debuggers can log the sequence of instructions executed by the binary. Tracing helps
analyze control flow, loops, or API calls.
4. Memory Inspection: Debuggers allow analysts to view and modify the contents of memory. This
is useful for identifying decrypted payloads or analyzing injected code.
Anti-Debugging Techniques
Malware often employs anti-debugging techniques to detect if it is being analyzed. Common methods
include:
• Debugger Detection: API calls like IsDebuggerPresent or NtQueryInformationProcess can detect
the presence of a debugger.
• Timing Attacks: Malware might use functions like Sleep to delay execution, making debugging
tedious.
• Exception Handling Abuse: Malware may deliberately trigger exceptions and detect if the
debugger handles them.
How Debugging Helps
Debugging allows analysts to bypass these techniques by:
• Patching anti-debugging instructions.
• Manipulating registers or memory to force specific execution paths.
• Extracting decrypted payloads or runtime-generated data.
Debugging Binaries
Debugging binaries focuses on analyzing how the executable interacts with the operating system,
memory, and external resources during runtime. This is especially important for unpacking malware,
extracting hidden payloads, and understanding its full behavior.
Steps to Debug Malicious Binaries
1. Setup a Safe Environment:
o Use a virtual machine or sandbox to prevent potential system compromise.
o Install debugging tools like x64dbg or OllyDbg.
2. Load the Binary in a Debugger:
o Attach the debugger to the binary. The disassembly view will display the assembly
instructions.
o Identify the entry point, typically where the main execution starts.
3. Set Breakpoints:
o Set breakpoints at critical points, such as the entry point, API calls, or loops.
o For example, set a breakpoint on VirtualAlloc to examine memory allocation behavior.
4. Step Through Execution:
o Execute the program step-by-step to observe its behavior.
o Monitor registers (EAX, ESP, etc.) and memory regions to detect changes or payload
decryption.
5. Analyze Memory:
o Dump the memory of the running process to capture decrypted payloads, injected code,
or sensitive data.
o Use tools like Volatility for detailed memory analysis.
6. Bypass Obfuscation:
o Malware often uses obfuscation techniques, such as packing or encrypted strings.
Debugging allows analysts to bypass these protections by observing the program after
decryption routines are executed.
Real-World Applications
1. Unpacking Malware: Debuggers can help bypass packers (e.g., UPX) to extract the original
binary.
2. Code Injection Analysis: By stepping through instructions, analysts can detect how malware
injects code into legitimate processes.
3. Command-and-Control Tracking: Debugging network-related APIs (e.g., send, recv) reveals how
malware communicates with its C2 server.
Debugging malicious binaries is a critical skill that complements static analysis, providing deeper insights
into runtime behavior and uncovering hidden functionality.
