This lab focuses on the in-depth analysis of a malicious executable using dynamic analysis and debugging techniques. The investigation revolves around understanding how the malware operates at a low level, particularly in how it loads libraries, resolves API functions, manipulates memory, and ultimately executes its payload. Through the use of x32dbg, we can step through the execution flow, set breakpoints on critical function calls, and inspect memory to uncover how the malware behaves in a controlled environment.
A key area of focus in this analysis is how the malware interacts with Windows API calls to achieve process injection, which is a common technique used to evade detection and execute malicious code in the context of a legitimate process. By monitoring function calls such as VirtualAlloc, CreateProcessA, and NtUnmapViewOfSection, the analyst can determine how the malware sets up its execution environment and transfers control to its payload. The investigation also includes examining how the malware handles string obfuscation, dynamically resolves API functions, and writes code into remote processes.
Memory analysis plays a crucial role in understanding the malware’s execution, with sections of allocated memory being examined to detect signs of hollowing, mapping, and writing of executable payloads. The debugger provides insight into how the malware manipulates memory permissions and loads necessary dependencies to execute successfully. Additionally, by dumping and analyzing the shellcode, analysts can observe its attempts to retrieve function addresses and interact with system calls.
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