Accelerating Malware Analysis with WinDbg Time Travel Debugging

Accelerating Malware Analysis with WinDbg Time Travel Debugging

Level of Instruction: Intermediate

Instructed by: Joshua "jstrosch" Stroschein, Jae Young Kim

Abstract:

Malware analysis and reverse engineering involve intricate execution, obfuscation, and anti-analysis techniques that hinder traditional debugging. This intensive, hands-on workshop introduces WinDbg's powerful Time Travel Debugging (TTD), allowing you to record a complete execution trace and replay it forwards and backwards. Designed for reverse engineers and malware analysts, this workshop provides practical skills to harness TTD, significantly cutting analysis time compared to traditional methods.

Throughout this 4-hour session, dive directly into practical application. Start with TTD essentials and capturing traces (GUI/CLI), then quickly progress to navigating timelines efficiently. Gain proficiency using the Debugger Data Model and LINQ queries to rapidly locate key events, API usage, and suspicious memory patterns within large traces. Crucially, learn to automate analysis by creating powerful JavaScript extensions for WinDbg, applying these skills in hands-on labs focused on tasks like extracting dynamically deobfuscated strings from malware. Leave equipped to confidently integrate WinDbg TTD into your workflow, accelerating your triage and deep-dive analysis capabilities.