GetLocalTime, GetSystemTime, timeGetTime, NtQueryPerformanceCounter

When a debugger is present, and used to single-step through the code, there is a significant delay between the executions of the individual instructions, when compared to native execution.

Technique Identifiers

U0110 U1308 B0001.28

Evasion Categories

Code Snippets

Description

Original source code available here: https://anti-debug.checkpoint.com/techniques/timing.html#getsystemtime

bool IsDebugged(DWORD64 qwNativeElapsed)
{
    SYSTEMTIME stStart, stEnd;
    FILETIME ftStart, ftEnd;
    ULARGE_INTEGER uiStart, uiEnd;

    GetLocalTime(&stStart);
    // ... some work
    GetLocalTime(&stEnd);

    if (!SystemTimeToFileTime(&stStart, &ftStart))
        return false;
    if (!SystemTimeToFileTime(&stEnd, &ftEnd))
        return false;

    uiStart.LowPart  = ftStart.dwLowDateTime;
    uiStart.HighPart = ftStart.dwHighDateTime;
    uiEnd.LowPart  = ftEnd.dwLowDateTime;
    uiEnd.HighPart = ftEnd.dwHighDateTime;
    return (uiEnd.QuadPart - uiStart.QuadPart) > qwNativeElapsed;
}

About Author Open Snippet

Author: External / Target Platform: Windows

Detection Rules

rule:
  meta:
    name: check for time delay via QueryPerformanceCounter
    namespace: anti-analysis/anti-debugging/debugger-detection
    author: michael.hunhoff@fireeye.com
    scope: function
    mbc:
      - Anti-Behavioral Analysis::Debugger Detection::Timing/Delay Check QueryPerformanceCounter [B0001.033]
    examples:
      - Practical Malware Analysis Lab 16-03.exe_:0x4011e0
  features:
    - and:
      - count(api(kernel32.QueryPerformanceCounter)): 2 or more

Additional Resources

External Links

The resources provided below are associated links that will give you even more detailed information and research on current evasion technique. It is important to note that, while these resources may be helpful, it is important to exercise caution when following external links. As always, be careful when clicking on links from unknown sources, as they may lead to malicious content.

https://www.malwinator.com/2016/01/03/part-2-antidebug/

Created

March 18, 2019

Last Revised

March 24, 2026