Why perform Malware Analysis?

sandeep karnik
Feb 19, 2023
6 min read

Introduction

We have seen many Cyber Attacks recently that were instrumented using malware. It is likely that malware attacks will continue to be a significant threat to individuals and organizations in the coming years. Malware creators are constantly developing new and sophisticated techniques to evade detection and compromise systems. As technology advances, there will be new avenues for attackers to exploit, such as the increasing use of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

Organizations and individuals must remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect against malware attacks. This includes implementing strong security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection, as well as providing regular security awareness training to employees. By staying informed about the latest threats and taking appropriate security measures, organizations and individuals can minimize the impact of malware attacks.

Recent Attacks

Malware attacks are unfortunately a common occurrence, and new malware strains are constantly being discovered. Here are some recent high-profile malware attacks:

SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack: In December 2020, it was discovered that the SolarWinds Orion network monitoring tool was compromised, potentially affecting thousands of organizations. The attack was attributed to a state-sponsored threat actor, and the malware allowed for remote access and data theft.
DarkSide Ransomware: In May 2021, the DarkSide ransomware gang attacked the Colonial Pipeline, causing a shutdown of the pipeline and fuel shortages in the eastern United States. The ransomware was able to encrypt data on the pipeline's networks and demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Hades Ransomware: In October 2021, the Hades ransomware group targeted a large number of U.S. companies in a campaign that involved the distribution of phishing emails with malicious attachments. The ransomware was able to encrypt data on victim systems and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Emotet Botnet: In January 2021, a joint international law enforcement operation took down the Emotet botnet, which had been in operation since 2014. The botnet was responsible for spreading malware, stealing credentials, and launching spam campaigns.
REvil Ransomware: In July 2021, the REvil ransomware group attacked Kaseya, a software company that provides remote IT management services. The attack affected hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses, and the ransomware was able to encrypt data and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key.

There were many malware attacks that occurred between 2015 and 2021. Here are some high-profile examples:

WannaCry Ransomware: In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware spread rapidly across the world, infecting over 200,000 computers in 150 countries. The ransomware was able to encrypt files on infected systems and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key.
NotPetya Ransomware: In June 2017, the NotPetya ransomware was launched, which caused widespread damage and disruption to many organizations around the world. The ransomware was able to encrypt data on infected systems and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Mirai Botnet: In 2016, the Mirai botnet was used to launch several large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. The botnet was able to infect IoT devices, such as routers and cameras, and use them to generate a massive amount of network traffic, overwhelming targeted websites and services.
Operation Cloud Hopper: Between 2014 and 2017, a Chinese hacking group known as APT10 carried out a large-scale cyber espionage campaign against organizations around the world. The group used a variety of malware, including trojans and backdoors, to steal sensitive data from targeted organizations.
Trisis Malware: In 2017, the Trisis malware was discovered, which was designed to target industrial control systems (ICS) and cause physical damage. The malware was used in an attack against a petrochemical facility in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the potential impact of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure.
Emotet Malware: Emotet is a banking trojan malware that was first discovered in 2014, but continued to be an active threat throughout the period of 2015 to 2021. The malware was able to steal sensitive data, such as banking credentials, and also spread via email attachments.

Types of malware

There are various types of malware, and they are designed to exploit a system's vulnerabilities or gain unauthorized access to data or systems. Here are some of the most common types of malware:

Virus: A virus is a type of malware that can replicate itself and spread to other systems. It can infect executable files or documents and spread through email attachments or file-sharing.
Worm: A worm is a type of malware that replicates itself to spread across networks and devices. Worms can exploit vulnerabilities in systems and can infect multiple devices.
Trojan: A Trojan is a type of malware that appears to be a legitimate program but is designed to perform malicious actions. Trojans can be used to steal data, provide remote access to a system, or install additional malware.
Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's data and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware can be distributed through phishing emails or malicious software downloads.
Adware: Adware is a type of malware that displays unwanted advertisements on a victim's computer. It can also collect data about the user's browsing behavior and deliver targeted ads.
Spyware: Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to spy on a user's activities and collect data. It can capture keystrokes, track browsing history, and collect sensitive information like usernames and passwords.
Rootkit: A rootkit is a type of malware that provides unauthorized access to a system while hiding its presence. Rootkits can modify system files to avoid detection and can be difficult to remove.
Botnet: A botnet is a collection of infected computers that can be controlled remotely. Botnets can be used to perform distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks or to spread spam or malware.

Why is Malware Analysis Performed

Malware analysis is performed for several reasons, including:

Detection and Prevention: Malware analysis helps in detecting and preventing the spread of malware. By understanding how a particular malware works, analysts can develop signatures and detection rules to prevent future infections and protect against similar threats.
Identification of the malware type: Malware analysis helps in identifying the type of malware. Understanding the type of malware can be useful in understanding how the malware operates, identifying the source of the attack, and devising a strategy to prevent similar attacks.
Attribution: Malware analysis helps in attributing the attack to a specific group or individual. This information can be used by law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cybercriminals.
Incident Response: Malware analysis helps in incident response by providing information about the malware's capabilities, infection vectors, and persistence mechanisms. This information can help in containing the attack and minimizing the damage.
Enhance Security Solutions: Malware analysis helps in developing and enhancing security solutions to prevent future attacks. Understanding the malware's behaviour can help in improving existing security solutions and developing new ones that can better protect against similar threats.

Skills required to perform a Malware Analysis

Malware analysis requires a combination of technical skills and knowledge. Some of the skills and knowledge required for malware analysis include:

Understanding of Operating Systems and Computer Architecture: A good understanding of operating systems and computer architecture is essential for analyzing malware effectively. This includes knowledge of the operating system's structure, file formats, and system calls.
Knowledge of Programming Languages: Understanding programming languages like C, C++, and Assembly language is essential for analyzing malware code. Familiarity with scripting languages like Python is also helpful.
Network Analysis Skills: Knowledge of network protocols, packet capture and analysis tools, and network forensic techniques is necessary for analyzing network-based malware.
Reverse Engineering Skills: Reverse engineering skills are critical for analyzing malware binaries. This includes the ability to disassemble and decompile code, analyze binary files, and debug programs.
Familiarity with Malware Analysis Tools: There are many specialized tools for malware analysis, such as debuggers, disassemblers, and sandboxing tools. Familiarity with these tools is necessary for analyzing malware effectively.
Threat Intelligence: Familiarity with current malware and attack trends and tactics is necessary for identifying and analyzing new malware strains and detecting new attack methods.
Attention to Detail: Malware analysis requires keen attention to detail and the ability to identify subtle changes in code, system behaviour, or network traffic.

Can all Malware be analyzed?

It is not always possible to analyze every malware sample that is encountered. Malware analysis can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process that requires specialized skills and tools. Here are some reasons why it may not be possible to analyze every malware sample:

Encrypted or Obfuscated Code: Some malware samples use encryption or obfuscation techniques to hide their code, making it difficult to analyze. These techniques can make it challenging to understand the malware's behaviour and impact.
Polymorphic Malware: Polymorphic malware is designed to change its code every time it infects a new system. This can make it challenging to create effective detection and analysis techniques.
Limited Resources: Malware analysts may have limited resources and time to analyze every malware sample. They may need to prioritize which samples to analyze based on their potential impact or other factors.
Advanced Malware: Advanced malware can use sophisticated techniques to evade analysis, such as anti-debugging techniques, rootkit functionality, or anti-forensic techniques. These techniques can make it challenging to analyze the malware's behaviour.