I have found some software on 1337 that a friend was asking for. It’s for Windows and I’m on Linux. Is test running the software inside a VM the only way to securely vet it (to see what connections it tries to make and what processes it starts)? On VirusTotal, I get one positive and 66 negatives. Preferably, I’d like to hand over the software without worrying about giving them malicious code…
Normally I would get turned on by that, but I’m trying to be a nice person.
Step 1: make an enemy for life
Step 2: copy questionable .exe to their pc
Step 3: ???
Step 4: profit
Now we’re talking. I have a few… candidates. Except, unless they leave their card in the computer, I can’t access their login. Hm… and IT records all activity. HMMM…
Pop it on a usb stick and leave it on their desk. You could google how to make it autorun, but you likely won’t have to bother.
Right! One of the rear ports, which nobody ever looks at. Although, if I’m going to script, I’m not going to become one of those copy-paste script kiddies. I’m going to LEARN it until I know it by heart and then PROGRAM the shit out of it.🤣
Rear ports? Why bother?
Simply pop it on their desk and let them plug it in themselves when they’re bored/curious.
One thing to remember with VirusTotal is that it should only be used as a “tool of consensus”. A lot of AV solutions on their list will false flag binaries presumably to instill fear and get people to buy their solutions over more reputable AV providers. You want the AV that works the best which many people would equate to the most flagging (as logically incomplete as that may be).
If you are seeing 66 flags and many of those being from reputable vendors, then I would say that what they show is likely accurate. Accuracy and relevance being two different things. 100% accuracy on keygen tools doesn’t mean that it is a relevant flag to what you’re trying to do.
You could try software solutions like LOKI (the IoC scanner) or Azul to test specific binaries, though. I believe LOKI is just doing static analysis, but Azul I know automates the sandboxing.
The title had me very confused for a few seconds. “Are you talking about cows? Why would they need to be executed? And why would they need vets before execution?”
VirusTotal also tells you a load of stuff about file read/writes and network access etc. What did it say? And what was the positive result for?
Holy crap, I had no idea! Cool!
The one positive is a malicious.high.ml.score by Trapmine and I can’t makes heads or tails of it.
Domains
e592.d.akamaiedge.net
www.msn.com
www.msn.com.edgekey.net
IP
23.50.32.0/20 (owned by Akamai Technologies, Inc.)
Execution Parents
Crack 29.2.ZIP
None of these sub categories under Relations give any positives.
ML means machine learning. One clanker out of 66 said it’s a virus. Do you believe it?
You can also acquire the original executable, and compare the differences in a binary/hex editor. VM runs would be after you have sanitized the EXE.
ArchiCAD uses a now-usual DRM scheme of either checking a hardware thumbstick key or seeking for a background licensing server at localhost or a set IP (always-on machine with a pool of licenses one can take one from).
https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/25/INT/_AC25_Help/003_InstallGuide/003_InstallGuide-4.htm (is it the version OP got?)
A cracker should either patch the requirement off completely (or drop exe, dlls for in-place replacement) or emulate a suitable key/server that is a separate app. With a lot of software I pirated with this DRM model it’s usually the second way, emulating a server with always correct responses. If that’s the case, the primary exe file can as well be original (of some distinct version?) but the crack happens to a separate background program installed with the main app.
I think we need another look at what is actually downloaded by OP and if there is some patching process jnvolved or everything is provided already cured. Then, to see and notice what processes are running in the VM, what they try to do.
In theory I agree, but other than buying the original executable from a reputable vendor, I have no way of verifying the integrity and authenticity of the EXE.
