Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: Time Based Evasion Defense Evasion [Mitre]

Adversaries may employ various time-based methods to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include enumerating time-based properties, such as uptime or the system clock, as well as the use of timers or other triggers to avoid a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox, specifically those that are automated or only operate for a limited amount of time. …

Connected Printer Sandbox Evasion

Another technique for detecting if a program is running in a sandbox is to look for potential connected printers or identify the default Windows printers, Adobe, or OneNote. This is because sandboxes typically do not have access to printers, and detecting the absence of printers can help identify whether the program is being run in a sandbox environment.

Detecting USB Drive Sandbox Evasion

To detect whether a program is running in a sandbox environment, malware can look for the presence of USB drives. Many sandboxes do not have USB ports or do not allow access to USB drives, and detecting the absence of USB drives can help identify whether the program is being run in a sandbox.

CPU Counting Sandbox Evasion

In many sandboxes, due to virtualization constraints, the number of CPUs may be limited to one. However, in the real world, all x86 CPUs have been sold with multiple cores or at least hyperthreading for over a decade.

As a result, it is sometimes possible to detect virtualization or sandboxing by examining the number of CPUs on the system. This …

Checking Specific Folder Name Sandbox Evasion

Specific directories, such as "C:\Cuckoo", can serve as indicators of a sandboxed or virtualized environment when present on a guest system. Consequently, a savvy piece of malware could potentially use the detection of this particular directory as a means of evading analysis. This would allow the malicious software to alter its behavior or even halt its execution altogether when it …

Time Bomb Others Sandbox Evasion

Some malware contains a built-in expiration date, after which the malware will no longer run or function. This can be used by attackers to limit the time during which the malware can be detected and analyzed by security researchers. In order to run and analyze the malware after its expiration date, security researchers must manually change the date on the …

Checking Screen Resolution Sandbox Evasion

Sandbox environments typically do not function as standard user workspaces; as a result, they often maintain a minimum screen resolution of 800x600 or even lower. In practice, users seldom work with such limited screen dimensions. Malware may leverage this information, detecting the screen resolution to ascertain whether it is operating on a genuine user machine or within a sandbox environment.

Checking Memory Size Sandbox Evasion

Most modern user machines have at least 4GB of memory. Malware programs can detect whether they are running in a sandbox environment by checking the available memory size. If the available memory size is less than 4GB, it is likely that the program is running in a sandbox.

Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: System Checks Defense Evasion [Mitre]

Adversaries may employ various system checks to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include changing behaviors based on the results of checks for the presence of artifacts indicative of a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox. If the adversary detects a VME, they may alter their malware to disengage from the victim or conceal the core functions …

Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: User Activity Based Checks Defense Evasion [Mitre]

Adversaries may employ various user activity checks to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include changing behaviors based on the results of checks for the presence of artifacts indicative of a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox. If the adversary detects a VME, they may alter their malware to disengage from the victim or conceal the core …

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