Top Malware Analysis Tools For Ethical Hackers

Malware analysis is a critical skill for cybersecurity professionals and ethical hackers. Below is a curated list of top malware analysis tools that can help dissect malicious software, understand its behavior, and develop countermeasures.

Static Analysis Tools

PEiD – Detects packers, cryptors, and compilers in PE files.
Exeinfo PE – Analyzes executable files for packers and compilers.
Strings (Linux/Windows) – Extracts text strings from binaries.
```
strings malware.exe | grep -i "http" 
```
FLOSS (FireEye Labs Obfuscated String Solver) – Extracts obfuscated strings.
```
floss malware.exe 
```

5. YARA – Rule-based malware identification.

yara -r rules.yar suspicious_file

Dynamic Analysis Tools

Cuckoo Sandbox – Automated malware analysis in a controlled environment.
```
cuckoo submit malware.exe 
```
Process Monitor (ProcMon) – Monitors Windows system activity.

8. Wireshark – Network traffic analysis.

wireshark -k -i eth0 -Y "http or dns"

9. API Monitor – Tracks API calls made by malware.
10. Regshot – Compares registry snapshots before and after malware execution.

Reverse Engineering Tools

11. Ghidra (NSA) – Open-source reverse engineering framework.

12. IDA Pro – Industry-standard disassembler and debugger.

13. x64dbg/x32dbg – Open-source debugger for Windows.

14. Radare2 – Command-line reverse engineering tool.

r2 -AAA malware.exe

15. OllyDbg – Debugger for analyzing malware.

Memory Forensics Tools

Volatility – Analyzes memory dumps for malware artifacts.
```
volatility -f memory.dump --profile=Win10x64 pslist 
```

17. Rekall – Memory forensics framework.

Automated Analysis Platforms

18. Hybrid Analysis – Free online malware analysis.

VirusTotal – Scans files against multiple AV engines.

20. Any.Run – Interactive malware sandbox.

You Should Know:

How to Set Up a Malware Analysis Lab:
Use VirtualBox/VMware with isolated networks.
Install REMnux (Linux for malware analysis).
Use Inetsim to simulate internet services.
```
sudo inetsim 
```

Essential Linux Commands for Malware Analysis:

Monitor processes 
ps aux | grep -i "suspicious"

Check network connections 
netstat -tulnp

Extract file metadata 
exiftool malware.exe

Calculate hashes 
sha256sum malware.exe

Windows Commands for Malware Hunting:
```
:: List scheduled tasks 
schtasks /query /fo LIST /v</p></li>
</ul>

<p>:: Check autoruns 
autorunsc.exe -accepteula -a

:: Scan for persistence 
wmic startup get caption,command 
```
What Undercode Say:
Malware analysis is an evolving field, and mastering these tools can enhance your cybersecurity skills. Automation helps, but manual analysis provides deeper insights. Always analyze malware in a secure environment to avoid accidental infections.
Expected Output:
- A structured report with indicators of compromise (IOCs).
- Behavioral analysis logs (API calls, network traffic).
- Reverse-engineered code snippets revealing malware functionality.
Prediction:
As malware becomes more sophisticated, AI-driven analysis tools will play a bigger role in detecting and mitigating threats. Expect more integration between sandboxing and threat intelligence platforms.
References:
Reported By: Priombiswas Cybersec – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
Join Our Cyber World:
💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Listen to this Post