Dynamic vs. Static Malware Analysis: Choosing the Right Approach
In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, malware continues to pose a significant
threat to individuals, organizations, and governments. To effectively counter this threat, cybersecurity
experts employ a variety of techniques, the two best among which are dynamic malware analysis and static
malware analysis approaches. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, and knowing when to use
them is critical in the fight against malware. In this blog post, we will discuss dynamic and static
malware analysis, their differences, and how to choose the right approach for different scenarios.
What is Malware analysis?
Malware analysis is the process of disassembling and examining malicious software to
understand its functionality, behaviour, and potential impact. The main purpose of malware analysis is
to provide insights that can be used to detect, prevent, and contain malware threats.
Deep Dive into Dynamic and Static Malware Analysis
1. Dynamic Malware Analysis:Dynamic malware analysis (also known as
behavioural analysis) involves running a suspicious program or file in a controlled environment and
observing its behaviour. This approach allows analysts to understand how malware behaves at runtime. The
most important aspects of dynamic analysis are:
- Execution in a Sandbox:Malware samples are executed in an isolated environment
called a sandbox to prevent harm to the host system.
- Behaviour Monitoring:Analysts observe the malware's actions, such as file system
changes, network communication, and system calls, to understand its intent and capabilities.
- Dynamic Code Analysis: During execution, dynamic analysis tools can capture and
analyse the code that the malware generates or downloads.
- Real-Time Data:Analysts can see real-time data, such as network traffic, registry
changes, and file modifications, helping them identify malicious activities.
2. Static Malware Analysis:Static malware analysis, on the other hand,
examines malicious programs and files without running them. Analysts analyse the code and structure of
files to identify suspicious or malicious patterns. The most important aspects of static analysis are:
- File Inspection: Analysts examine the file's properties, such as metadata, strings,
and headers, to collect information without running it.
- Code Analysis:The code within the malware is reverse-engineered to understand its
functionality, potential vulnerabilities, and the presence of obfuscation techniques.
- Signature-Based Detection:Static analysis is essential for creating signature-based
detection rules that can be used by antivirus programs and intrusion detection systems.
- Extracting resources: Static analysis can extract embedded resources such as hidden
files and configuration data that are important to understanding malware behaviour.
Choosing the Right Approach:
The choice between dynamic and static analysis depends on several factors, including the
specific malware sample, available resources, and analysis objectives. Here are some considerations to
help you choose the right approach.
- Malware type:
For well-known or less sophisticated malware, static analysis may be sufficient. However, complex and
highly elusive malware often requires dynamic analysis to fully understand its behaviour.
- Resource availability:Dynamic analysis requires setting up a controlled
environment, which is not always possible. In these cases, static analysis may be a more practical
option.
- Goal of analysis:Determine your analysis goals. Dynamic analysis is essential if
you want to understand malware behaviour. If you need a quick evaluation or want to generate a
signature, static analysis may be sufficient.
- Risk tolerance:Dynamic analysis involves running malware, which comes with some
risk. Please consider the impact on your surroundings and take appropriate precautions.
- Hybrid approach:Combining dynamic and static analysis is often the most effective
approach, allowing you to benefit from both behavioural insights and code reviews.
Conclusion
In summary, dynamic malware analysis and static malware analysis are complementary techniques, each
with their own strengths and weaknesses. Which one you choose depends on your specific situation and
the purpose of your analysis. In today's dynamic threat landscape, a robust malware analysis strategy
that can adapt to a variety of scenarios is essential to staying ahead of cyber threats.
