Flash File Malware Detection via Bytecode Pattern Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting malicious exploitation of Adobe Flash files are inefficient and prone to false positives, particularly due to their reliance on signature-based static code analysis and the risk of causing harm during runtime code analysis.

Innovation Solution

A method that parses the compiled bytecode of Flash files to identify repeated key instructions and examines the constant pool table for specific shellcode strings, allowing for static detection of malicious content without executing the code, thereby reducing false positives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If runtime code analysis is used to detect malware in Flash files, then detection capability is improved, but system safety deteriorates because the code may cause harm when executed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsystem safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs static code analysis on Flash files before they are executed. By examining the bytecode and constant pool table in advance, the system can identify malicious patterns and shellcode strings without actually running the potentially harmful code, thus maintaining both detection capability and system safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary analysis layer that examines the Flash file's bytecode representation rather than executing the actual application code. This intermediary static analysis approach allows detection of malicious intent without the risks associated with runtime execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If signature-based static code analysis is used to detect malware, then system safety is maintained by not executing code, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to false positives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the analysis into multiple independent components: examining bytecode instructions, analyzing constant pool tables for shellcode strings, and checking for specific malicious patterns. This multi-faceted approach reduces false positives by requiring multiple indicators of compromise rather than relying on a single signature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the analysis parameters from simple signature matching to a more sophisticated multi-criteria evaluation that includes instruction repetition patterns, equidistant spacing analysis, and shellcode string detection in constant pools, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If case by case signature-based analysis is used, then detection specificity is improved for known threats, but productivity deteriorates due to inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection specificityVSAvoiddetection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal detection framework that can identify multiple types of malicious patterns simultaneously through a single static analysis pass. The system checks for various malicious instruction patterns, shellcode strings, and structural anomalies in one unified process, improving both efficiency and comprehensiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous monitoring and analysis of Flash files through an automated static analysis system that operates continuously without requiring manual intervention for each file, thereby maintaining high detection specificity while improving overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3087527B1System and method of detecting malicious multimedia files
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 MCAFEE LLC
  • EP3087527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3087527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for detection of malicious exploitations in a multimedia file are disclosed. In one embodiment, such an approach includes parsing the compiled bytecode of a multimedia file to detect identified key instructions and determine if such key instructions are repeated in specific patterns that signify the presence of malicious exploitation. The approach may also include examining the contents of the constant pool table in a compiled multimedia file to detect specific shellcode strings that are indicative of presence of malicious exploitation. When the bytecode or the constant pool table indicates that malicious exploitation is present, an approach may be utilized to reduce instances of false positive identification of malicious exploitation.