CFF Explorer is a versatile tool designed for examining and editing Portable Executable (PE) files, the standard format for executables in Windows. It offers detailed insights into various aspects of PE files, including headers, sections, imports, exports, and resources.
This tool is widely utilized by developers, security analysts, and system administrators for tasks such as debugging, reverse engineering, and patching binaries. Its capabilities enable users to analyze, modify, and understand PE files effectively, making it an invaluable asset in the realm of Windows executable manipulation.
How does it work?
CFF Explorer utilizes internal algorithms to decipher the binary data embedded within the PE file, extracting pertinent details regarding its structure and contents. Subsequently, it showcases this data in an intuitive user interface, enabling users to seamlessly navigate through the file's various sections and scrutinize their attributes.
CFF Explorer Main Window:
Let’s load one malware sample, in-order to view the components of CFF Explorer. By doing so, we can explore the various aspects of the malware's structure and analyze its properties using the features provided by CFF Explorer. This process involves opening the malware file within CFF Explorer, which will then parse the binary data and present detailed information about the file's headers, sections, imports, exports, resources, and more.
Through this examination, we can gain insights into the inner workings of the malware, understand its functionality, and identify potential indicators of compromise. By leveraging CFF Explorer's capabilities, we can effectively dissect and analyze the malware sample to better comprehend its behavior and potential impact.
File Properties and it’s DOS Header:
With CFF Explorer, we can easily view the metadata properties of a file, including its type, compiler, filename, version, and size, among other details.
The DOS Header occupies the initial 64 bytes of the file, with the first 2 bytes representing the ASCII characters "MZ", equivalent to the hexadecimal values 4D 5A.
File Header and Optional Header:
In File Header, we can able to see the NumberOfSections. Here it's 03!
The NumberOfSections field in a PE file header indicates the total count of sections within the file. These sections contain various types of data like code, resources, or imports. This field is crucial for the OS loader to correctly map and execute the file in memory.
The entry point address, relative to the image base, denotes the starting point in memory when an executable file is loaded. For program images, it marks the beginning; for device drivers, it indicates the initialization function address. DLLs may or may not have an entry point.
How to determine the Virtual Address?
Section Header:
Import Directory:
Based on the Import Directory, we can determine the type of compiler used. In this case, it's the .NET Framework, indicated by the presence of a single mscoree.dll file.
.NET Directory:
Table Section:
Strings: #US
Obtained URL - IOC:
The obtained URL appears to be malicious, redirecting users to "Bing.com". This redirection raises concerns regarding potential phishing or malware distribution tactics. Further investigation into the nature of this redirect is imperative to assess the extent of the threat and mitigate any potential risks to users' security and privacy.
Conclusion:
In summary, CFF Explorer is an powerful tool for malware researchers, providing extensive functionalities for analyzing and altering Portable Executable (PE) files. Its robust features enable users to conduct tasks like debugging and reverse engineering, establishing it as a valuable asset in software analysis and modification.
Happy Learning !!!