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Malware Analysis
Welcome to our in-depth Malware Analysis course, designed to provide you with the expertise to analyze, understand, and counteract malicious software. This program covers the full spectrum of malware analysis, from foundational static techniques to advanced dynamic and memory analysis methods. With hands-on labs and real-world scenarios, this course ensures a comprehensive understanding of cyber threats and equips you to implement effective defense mechanisms against evolving malware attacks.
Program Code: NX232
Package: NX Defense​
Level: 6
Course Information
Prerequisites
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Basic Networking Knowledge
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Linux & Windows OS knowledge
Duration Options
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Self-paced: 5-10 week
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Trainer-led: 50 hours
Core Features of Cyberium Arena
Labs
Enhance training with defense and attack tasks.
Books
Tailored coursebooks for cybersecurity studies.
Scenarios
Diverse situations mimicking real professional challenges.
Projects
Integrated projects to demonstrate acquired knowledge.
What is Malware Analysis?
Definition
Malware Analysis is the study and close examination of malicious software.
Methods
Analysts use various tools and expert-level knowledge to dissect malware.
Purpose
It aims to understand the malware's origins, purpose, and potential impact.
Outcome
The goal is to comprehend what malware does and how it operates.
Module 1: Introduction to Malware Analysis
Basic Static Analysis
Examines a program's code without executing it. Enables early identification of potential threats by analyzing the raw program structure and components.
Basic Dynamic Analysis
Examines a program during execution. Provides insights into real-time behavior and potential vulnerabilities by monitoring the program's actual activities.
PE Format
Examining the Portable Executable format used in Windows executables.
Basic Static Analysis
Types of Malware
Understanding various malware categories and their characteristics.
Windows Libraries
Analyzing Windows libraries and processes for malware detection.
Sandbox Setup
Creating a safe environment for malware analysis and testing.
Basic Dynamic Analysis
Identifying Virtual Machines
Techniques to detect if malware is running in a virtual environment.
Searching for Ports
Identifying open ports that malware might use for communication.
Testing Network Traffic
Analyzing network activity to detect malicious communications.
Analyzing Processes
Examining running processes to identify suspicious activities.
Module 2: Malware Payloads
Definition
Malware Payloads are the parts performing malicious actions.
Actions
These can include data exfiltration or system damage.
Importance
Understanding payloads helps in assessing threats and strategizing defenses.
YARA
A tool for creating descriptions to identify and classify malware.
Payload Analysis Techniques
Persistence Mechanisms
Identify how malware maintains its presence on infected systems.
Linux Malware
Understand the specifics of malware targeting Linux systems.
Spreading Methods
Analyze how malware propagates across systems and networks.
Malware Activities
Observe and document the actions performed by the malware.
Detection Strategies
YARA Rules
Create and apply YARA rules for efficient malware detection. These rules use patterns to identify and classify malicious software.
IMPHash
Utilize Import Hash (IMPHash) to identify malware variants. This technique helps in recognizing similarities between different malware samples.
Module 3: General Analysis
Memory Analysis
Study data in system's memory to detect sophisticated malware.
Identifying Malicious Activities
Recognize unusual system behaviors indicating potential security breaches.
Analyzing Network Connections
Monitor and review network traffic to detect anomalies or threats.
Analyzing Network Connections
Extracting Files
Techniques to extract files from network traffic for analysis.
Analyzing HTTP and HTTPS
Examine web traffic for signs of malicious activity.
Windows Libraries
Analyzing Windows libraries and processes for malware detection.
Extract Malware Samples
Retrieve malware artifacts from memory dumps for further analysis.
Memory Analysis Techniques
Identify Malware in Memory
Locate and isolate malicious code running in system memory.
Analyze Memory Structures
Examine memory structures to understand malware behavior and impact.
Detect Hidden Processes
Uncover concealed malicious processes through memory forensics techniques.
Module 4: Advanced Analysis
Assembly Language Basics
Fundamental understanding of low-level programming for reverse engineering.
Disassembler
Tools to translate machine language into assembly code.
Advanced Dynamic Analysis
In-depth examination of programs during execution.
Assembly Language Basics
x86 Processor Architecture
Understanding the fundamental structure of x86 processors.
System Calls
Exploring how programs interact with the operating system.
Basic Assembly
Learning the core concepts of assembly language programming.
x86 Programming
Practical application of x86 assembly in malware analysis.
Advanced Dynamic Analysis
Understanding Debuggers
Learn to use debugging tools for in-depth malware analysis.
Setting Breakpoints
Strategically pause execution to examine program state.
Stepping Through Code
Analyze malware behavior one instruction at a time.
Memory Manipulation
Modify program memory to observe different execution paths.
