Malware Ananlysis Learning Path

1️⃣ Operating Systems & System Internals

• Windows Internals (Processes, Registry, File System, Services)

• Linux Fundamentals (File System, Logs, Process Management)

• MacOS Basics (Mach-O binaries, System Logs)

2️⃣ Networking Basics

• TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, and SSL/TLS

• Packet Analysis (Wireshark, tcpdump)

• Proxy & VPN Setup for Safe Analysis

3️⃣ Programming & Scripting

• Assembly (x86/x64) – Understanding Disassembled Code

• Python – Automation & Scripting for Analysis

• C/C++ – Understanding Windows API Calls

• PowerShell & Bash – Scripted Attacks and Automation

4️⃣ Cybersecurity Fundamentals

• How Malware Works (Trojans, Ransomware, Worms, Rootkits)

• Antivirus & EDR (Detection Techniques)

• Common Attack Vectors (Phishing, Exploits, Drive-by Downloads)

5️⃣ Reverse Engineering Basics

• Understanding Compilers, Linkers, and Executables

• Static vs. Dynamic Analysis

• Debugging Concepts

1️⃣ Introduction to Malware Analysis

• What is Malware? Types and Classifications

• Malware Lifecycle and Attack Chains

• Objectives of Malware Analysis

2️⃣ Setting Up a Malware Analysis Lab

• Using Virtual Machines (VMware, VirtualBox)

• Isolated Networks & Internet Simulation (INetSim, FakeDNS)

• Creating a Safe Analysis Environment (FLARE VM, REMnux)

• Handling and Storing Malware Samples Securely

3️⃣ Static Malware Analysis (Without Execution)

• Identifying File Types (EXE, DLL, ELF, Mach-O)

• Hashing & File Fingerprinting (MD5, SHA256)

• Strings Analysis (strings, FLOSS, BinText)

• PE Header & Metadata Analysis (PEStudio, PE Bear)

• Identifying Packers & Obfuscation (UPX, PEID)

4️⃣ Dynamic Malware Analysis (Executing in Sandbox)

• Process Monitoring (Procmon, Process Explorer)

• Registry & File System Changes (Regshot, Autoruns)

• API Call Monitoring (API Monitor, Sysmon)

• Network Traffic Analysis (Wireshark, Fiddler)

• Automated Sandboxing (Cuckoo Sandbox, Any.Run)

5️⃣ Reverse Engineering Malware

• Disassembly & Debugging: IDA Pro, Ghidra, Radare2

• Debugging Techniques: OllyDbg, x64dbg

• Identifying C2 Communication & Encryption Methods

• Anti-Reversing & Anti-Debugging Evasion Techniques

6️⃣ Malware Families & Their Characteristics

• Trojans & Backdoors – Remote Access Malware

• Ransomware – File Encryption & Payment Mechanisms

• Rootkits & Bootkits – Kernel-Level Malware

• Banking Malware – Credential Theft (TrickBot, Dridex)

• Fileless Malware – Living-off-the-Land Techniques

7️⃣ Network-Based Malware Analysis

• Detecting C2 Traffic & Exfiltration Techniques

• Analyzing Malicious Domains and IPs

• Reverse Engineering Malicious Network Protocols

8️⃣ Windows Internals for Malware Analysis

• Windows API Calls and System Calls

• Windows Registry Manipulation

• DLL Injection and Process Hollowing

9️⃣ Linux and macOS Malware Analysis

• ELF Binary Analysis & Reverse Engineering

• Persistence Mechanisms in Linux (cron jobs, systemd services)

• macOS Malware (Mach-O Analysis, Launch Agents)

🔟 Memory Forensics

• Memory Dumping (Volatility, Rekall)

• Analyzing Malicious Processes & Injected DLLs

• Extracting IOCs from Memory

1️⃣1️⃣ Malware Detection & Bypassing Techniques

• Antivirus Evasion & Packing Techniques

• Behavioral Analysis & Machine Learning in Malware Detection

• Polymorphic & Metamorphic Malware

1️⃣2️⃣ Threat Intelligence & Incident Response

• Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) Collection

• YARA Rules & Threat Hunting

• Reporting & Mitigation Strategies

1️⃣3️⃣ Exploit Development & Analysis

• Common Vulnerabilities (Buffer Overflow, RCE, Privilege Escalation)

• Exploit Kits & Shellcode Analysis

• Fuzzing & Bug Hunting

1️⃣4️⃣ Ransomware Analysis & Mitigation

• How Ransomware Encrypts Files

• Decryption & Recovery Techniques

• Prevention & Incident Handling

1️⃣5️⃣ Automation in Malware Analysis

• Writing Python Scripts for Automation

• API-Based Malware Lookups (VirusTotal, Hybrid Analysis)

• Custom Sandbox Development

1️⃣6️⃣ Advanced Topics in Malware Research

• AI & Machine Learning for Malware Detection

• Supply Chain Attacks & Firmware Malware

• IoT & Mobile Malware Analysis

🎯 Learning Roadmap Based on Skill Level

📌 Beginner (1-3 Months)

• Learn OS Fundamentals (Windows, Linux, Networking)

• Understand Malware Types & Behavior

• Set Up a Malware Analysis Lab

📌 Intermediate (4-6 Months)

• Perform Static & Dynamic Analysis on Malware Samples

• Learn Reverse Engineering with IDA Pro & x64dbg

• Start Analyzing Real-World Malware (Trojans, Ransomware)

📌 Advanced (6-12 Months)

• Reverse Engineer Advanced Malware

• Understand Kernel-Mode Rootkits & Exploit Development

• Conduct Threat Hunting & Write YARA Rules