GetLocalTime, GetSystemTime, timeGetTime, NtQueryPerformanceCounter

Created the Monday 18 March 2019. Updated 2 months, 1 week ago.

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

Featured Windows API's

Below, you will find a list of the most commonly used Windows API's that are currently utilized by malware authors for current evasion technique. This list is meant to provide an overview of the API's that are commonly used for this purpose. If there are any API's that you feel should be included on this list, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to update the list and provide any additional information or documentation that may be helpful.

GetLocalTime

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;
}

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/