CSC 497/583 Advanced Topics in Computer Security

Modern Malware Analysis

2019-Spring Course Website

Instructor: Si Chen

About Maleware and Malware Analysis

Malware is a catch-all term for various malicious software, including viruses, adware, spyware, browser hijacking software, and fake security software.
Once installed on your computer, these programs can seriously affect your privacy and your computer's security. For example, malware is known for relaying personal information to advertisers and other third parties without user consent. Some programs are also known for containing worms and viruses that cause a great deal of damage. As a result, the ability to detect, analyze, understand, control, and eradicate malware is an increasingly important issue of economic and national security.

Course Description

This course will introduce students to modern malware analysis techniques through lectures and hands-on interactive analysis of real-world samples, including explore various recent attacks. These examples and studies will help the students develop a foundation and a well-rounded view of cybersecurity research. Participants in the course will also read and discuss research papers, as well as conduct independent project in a topic related to cyber risk and malware analysis.
After taking this course students will be equipped with the skills to analyze advanced contemporary malware using both static and dynamic analysis.

Syllabus is now available: [link]

Expected Background

No prerequisite for graduate students, although sufficient security background is expected. For undergraduate students, please make sure you completed CSC 242.
My expected demographic for Malware Analysis was students with zero reverse engineering experience. That said, to be able to take this course you will probably need at least the following skills.

Basic programming concepts
Knowledge with the C programming language, including pointers, arrays, loops, function calls, etc.
Familiar with Unix/Linux including the command-line shell and gdb
Familiar with Intel x86 assembly language and architecture
Familiar with web programming concepts (HTML, HTTP, TCP, network communications)

Textbook

No Textbook

Reference book:

Monnappa K A, Learning Malware Analysis: Explore the concepts, tools, and techniques to analyze and investigate Windows malware , ISBN 978-1788392501
Michael Sikorski, Andrew Honig, Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software, 1st Edition, ISBN 978-1593272906

Course Content

The password to the zip files is 'infected', no quotes.

#	Date	Topic	Slides	Supporting Materials
Class 1	Jan 22, 2019	Introduction	ch01.pptx
Class 2	Jan 24, 2019	Basic Concepts, DLL Injection (1)	ch02.pptx	Windows XP Environment Disclaimer hack_dll.zip hack_dll_src.zip
Class 3	Jan 29, 2019	DLL Injection (2), Static Analysis	ch03.pptx	Manjaro Linux (ArchLinux) EnvironmentUsername:csc495 password:csc495 hack_dll.zip hack_dll_src.zip fingerprinting.py vt_query.py flare-floss myhack_packed.dll
Lab 0 (Non-graded)	Jan 29, 2019	Lab0: "Hello World" -- DLL Injection Hint for Lab0: [Hint] Due on: 02/04/2019	lab0.pdf	Windows XP Environment Disclaimer hack_dll.zip hack_dll_src.zip
Class 4	Jan 31, 2019	Static Analysis, PE Format	ch04.pptx	hack_dll.zip flare-floss notepad_xp.zip Download HxD display_sections.py Download PEview myhack_packed.dll
Class 5	Feb 5, 2019	PE Format (2): NT Header, IAT, EAT	ch05.pptx	notepad_xp.zip Download HxD display_sections.py enum_imports.py enum_exports.py Download PEview myhack_packed.dll
Class 6	Feb 7, 2019	Static Analysis: Real-world Case Study	ch06.pptx	display_sections.py enum_imports.py enum_exports.py malware_sample_0.zip
Lab 1 (8 points)	Feb 7, 2019	Lab1: Build a heuristic malware detection system Hint for Lab1: [Hint] Due on: 02/21/2019	lab1.pdf	Manjaro Linux (ArchLinux) Environment Username:csc495 password:csc495 malware_lab_1.zip password:infected enum_exports.py pefile usage examples (Python)