When it comes to analyzing a vast number of malware samples, security teams require a standardized, industry-recognized format for handling configuration data. This ensures that the critical information extracted from these samples can be efficiently utilized and shared across security systems.
In this chapter, we explore an industry-standard output format defined by the MWCP (Malware Configuration Parser) project.
The MWCP output format: A foundation for scalability
In the pursuit of a scalable solution for managing malware configurations, we conducted extensive research into available options. Ultimately, our choice led us to embrace the output format defined by the US Defense Cyber Crime Center’s MWCP project. This decision was underpinned by several key advantages that position MWCP as the optimal choice:
Vendor Neutrality:
The MWCP file format is vendor-agnostic, designed to be portable across various security products. This universality streamlines the integration of VMRay into existing security systems, as compared to using a proprietary format.
Community-Driven:
MWCP is an open-source project with robust community support. Unlike other formats that may be proprietary or abandoned, MWCP benefits from ongoing development and maintenance.
Flexibility for Diverse Threats:
The creators of this format possess a pragmatic understanding of malware configurations. they realize that certain types of configuration elements such as C2 URLs and encryption keys appear among different malware families, but they also leave room for adding data that is specific to the malware family using the type “other”.
Verified and Comprehensive:
The format definition is comprehensive and verifiable through an open-source JSON schema, enhancing its reliability and ensuring consistent use.
With this standardized format in place, security teams can efficiently manage and share malware configuration data, contributing significantly to their efforts to combat evolving threats effectively.
The Need for Speed and Scalability
In the realm of cybersecurity, speed and scalability are non-negotiable. VMRay’s platform is built on cutting-edge malware sandboxing technology, offering the dual advantages of speed and reliability. This is pivotal when security teams confront the formidable task of analyzing an extensive array of malware and phishing samples.
Furthermore, VMRay’s exceptional versatility shines in its ability to seamlessly integrate with major EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), XDR (Extended Detection and Response), SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) vendors. This integration empowers organizations to automate the analysis of large volumes of alerts and samples. The result is a significant reduction in manual analysis time, a critical aspect of scalability in modern cybersecurity operations.
In the final chapter, we’ll uncover the secret sauce that underpins VMRay’s reliable malware configuration extraction, solidifying its position as an invaluable asset in modern cybersecurity operations.
Malware Configurations: How to find and use them
Chapter 6:
VMRay’s Malware Configuration Extraction – The Power of Underlying Data
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