| Name |
Reverse Engineer an Executable to Expose Assumed Hidden Functionality |
|
| Likelyhood of attack |
Typical severity |
| High |
Low |
|
| Summary |
An attacker analyzes a binary file or executable for the purpose of discovering the structure, function, and possibly source-code of the file by using a variety of analysis techniques to effectively determine how the software functions and operates. This type of analysis is also referred to as Reverse Code Engineering, as techniques exist for extracting source code from an executable. Several techniques are often employed for this purpose, both black box and white box. The use of computer bus analyzers and packet sniffers allows the binary to be studied at a level of interactions with its computing environment, such as a host OS, inter-process communication, and/or network communication. This type of analysis falls into the 'black box' category because it involves behavioral analysis of the software without reference to source code, object code, or protocol specifications. |
| Prerequisites |
|
| Solutions | |
| Related Weaknesses |
|
CWE ID
|
Description
|
| CWE-912 |
Hidden Functionality |
|
| Related CAPECS |
|
CAPEC ID
|
Description
|
| CAPEC-167 |
An attacker discovers the structure, function, and composition of a type of computer software through white box analysis techniques. White box techniques involve methods which can be applied to a piece of software when an executable or some other compiled object can be directly subjected to analysis, revealing at least a portion of its machine instructions that can be observed upon execution. |
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