Malware Analysis

Malware analysis focuses on identifying and understanding malicious software to improve cybersecurity defenses. Current research emphasizes the use of machine learning, particularly deep learning models like convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), transformers, and generative adversarial networks (GANs), often applied to visual representations of malware or sequences of API calls. These techniques aim to improve detection accuracy, address class imbalance issues, and enhance the explainability of malware detection systems. The field's impact is significant, contributing to more robust and adaptable security solutions for both individual users and organizations.

Papers

January 8, 2025

Exploring Large Language Models for Semantic Analysis and Categorization of Android Malware
Brandon J Walton, Mst Eshita Khatun, James M Ghawaly, Aisha Ali-Gombe
Malware Attack Malware Classification Android Malware Malware Analysis Zero Day

November 8, 2024

Unmasking the Shadows: Pinpoint the Implementations of Anti-Dynamic Analysis Techniques in Malware Using LLM
Haizhou Wang, Nanqing Luo, Peng LIu
Large Language Model Quantum Shadow Reverse Engineering Malware Analysis Implementation Detail Malware Sample Analytical Method

October 31, 2024

Metamorphic Malware Evolution: The Potential and Peril of Large Language Models
Pooria Madani
Full Model Full Potential Large Language Malware Analysis Code Transformation Metamorphic Malware Mutation Testing

October 30, 2024

Is Function Similarity Over-Engineered? Building a Benchmark
Rebecca Saul, Chang Liu, Noah Fleischmann, Richard Zak, Kristopher Micinski, Edward Raff, James Holt
New Benchmark Reverse Engineering Malware Analysis Binary Analysis Binary Code Similarity Functional Similarity Binary Similarity

September 22, 2024

A Visualized Malware Detection Framework with CNN and Conditional GAN
Fang Wang (Florence Wong), Hussam Al Hamadi, Ernesto Damiani
Synthetic Image CNN Network Conditional Generative Adversarial Network Malware Detection Detection Model Malware Analysis Conditional GAN

September 18, 2024

Magika: AI-Powered Content-Type Detection
Yanick Fratantonio, Luca Invernizzi, Loua Farah, Kurt Thomas, Marina Zhang, Ange Albertini, Francois Galilee, Giancarlo Metitieri, Julien Cretin, Alex Petit-Bianco, David Tao, Elie Bursztein
Malware Analysis Open Source Code Content Recognition AI Content Detection

September 11, 2024

Revisiting Static Feature-Based Android Malware Detection
Md Tanvirul Alam, Dipkamal Bhusal, Nidhi Rastogi
Machine Learning Malware Classification Android Malware Malware Analysis

September 9, 2024

Explainable Malware Analysis: Concepts, Approaches and Challenges
Harikha Manthena, Shaghayegh Shajarian, Jeffrey Kimmell, Mahmoud Abdelsalam, Sajad Khorsandroo, Maanak Gupta
Technical Challenge Constructive Approach Malware Detection Concept Identification Malware Classification Malware Analysis Based Malware Detection

August 5, 2024

A Lean Transformer Model for Dynamic Malware Analysis and Detection
Tony Quertier, Benjamin Marais, Grégoire Barrué, Stéphane Morucci, Sévan Azé, Sébastien Salladin
Data Detection Generative AI Transformer Architecture Transformer Model Encoder Decoder Malware Analysis Behavior Analysis

August 4, 2024

Reinforcement Learning for an Efficient and Effective Malware Investigation during Cyber Incident Response
Dipo Dunsin, Mohamed Chahine Ghanem, Karim Ouazzane, Vassil Vassilev
Reinforcement Learning Markov Decision Process Malware Analysis Multi Purpose Malware

June 2, 2024

Know Your Neighborhood: General and Zero-Shot Capable Binary Function Search Powered by Call Graphlets
Joshua Collyer, Tim Watson, Iain Phillips
Graph Representation General Text Binary Code Neighborhood Level Malware Analysis Binary Code Similarity Semantic Code

December 13, 2023

Prompt Engineering-assisted Malware Dynamic Analysis Using GPT-4
Pei Yan, Shunquan Tan, Miaohui Wang, Jiwu Huang
GPT 4 Malware Detection Malware Analysis Malware Representation

October 27, 2023

Enhancing Enterprise Network Security: Comparing Machine-Level and Process-Level Analysis for Dynamic Malware Detection
Baskoro Adi Pratomo, Toby Jackson, Pete Burnap, Andrew Hood, Eirini Anthi
Malware Detection Detection Model Malware Family Malware Analysis Malicious Instruction Novel Malware Network Security Process Insight

October 3, 2023

EMBERSim: A Large-Scale Databank for Boosting Similarity Search in Malware Analysis
Dragos Georgian Corlatescu, Alexandru Dinu, Mihaela Gaman, Paul Sumedrea
Malware Analysis Similarity Search Malware Datasets Based Malware

September 25, 2023

On the Effectiveness of Adversarial Samples against Ensemble Learning-based Windows PE Malware Detectors
Trong-Nghia To, Danh Le Kim, Do Thi Thu Hien, Nghi Hoang Khoa, Hien Do Hoang, Phan The Duy, Van-Hau Pham
Adversarial Attack Diverse Ensemble Adversarial Sample Malware Detection Malware Analysis Based Malware Metamorphic Malware

September 24, 2023

Smart OMVI: Obfuscated Malware Variant Identification using a novel dataset
Suleman Qamar
Novel Dataset Cyber Attack Malware Attack Malware Analysis Malware Datasets

September 19, 2023

Nebula: Self-Attention for Dynamic Malware Analysis
Dmitrijs Trizna, Luca Demetrio, Battista Biggio, Fabio Roli
Machine Learning Model Self Attention Malware Detection Malware Classification Malware Analysis Data Analysis Pipeline Multi Purpose Malware

August 29, 2023

Assessing Cyclostationary Malware Detection via Feature Selection and Classification
Mike Nkongolo
Classification Code Feature Selection Malware Analysis Malware Representation

July 26, 2023

Open Image Content Disarm And Reconstruction
Eli Belkind, Ran Dubin, Amit Dvir
Full State Reconstruction Steganographic Performance Malware Analysis Image Steganography Image Protection

July 4, 2023

Review of Deep Learning-based Malware Detection for Android and Windows System
Nazmul Islam, Seokjoo Shin
Narrative Review Malware Detection Mobile Application Malware Family Malware Analysis Window System