How to Learn Malware Analysis for CEH Exam?

Introduction

Cyber attacks have evolved dramatically. Today, over 90% of breaches involve some form of malware – ransomware, banking trojans, APT backdoors, fileless attacks, and supply-chain malware. EC-Council recognised this shift and made the “Malware Threats” module one of the heaviest in CEH v13 (10–14% in theory + multiple flags in practical).

Simply memorising definitions won’t work anymore. Examiners expect you to identify malware type, analyse behaviour, extract indicators of compromise (IOCs), and recommend mitigation – exactly what real SOC and incident response teams do daily.

At Ethical Hacking Training Institute, we don’t just teach theory – we give you 500+ real malware samples in a completely isolated lab so you can dissect them safely and confidently.

Malware Classification Every CEH Student Must Memorise

• Virus → attaches to legitimate files, needs user action
• Worm → self-replicating, spreads without user interaction
• Trojan → disguises as legitimate software, creates backdoor
• Rootkit → hides presence (kernel/user mode)
• Ransomware → encrypts files, demands payment
• Spyware/Keylogger → steals credentials and sensitive data
• Adware, Scareware, Wiper, Logic Bomb

Understanding these categories helps you answer 70% of malware-related theory questions instantly.

Static vs Dynamic Analysis – Complete Theoretical Comparison

Best practice: always start with static analysis before running anything.

Complete Static Analysis Workflow (Exam Favourite)

Step 1 → Calculate hashes (MD5, SHA1, SHA256)
Step 2 → Submit to VirusTotal (only for practice samples)
Step 3 → Run strings -n 8 sample.exe | grep -i "http\|password\|cmd"
Step 4 → Open in PEiD / Detect It Easy → check packer & entropy
Step 5 → CFF Explorer → analyse imports (WS2_32.dll = network activity)
Step 6 → Load in Ghidra/IDA Free → look for suspicious APIs (CreateRemoteThread, VirtualAllocEx)

Dynamic Analysis Deep Dive – What Happens in Real Exams

• Run malware in Windows VM with no internet
• Take snapshot before execution
• Start ProcMon + Wireshark capture
• Execute malware → observe file drops, registry keys, network calls
• Stop capture → analyse PCAP for C2 domains/IPs
• Use RegShot to compare registry before/after

Our institute labs already have ProcMon filters pre-configured for instant results.

Top 15 Malware Analysis Tools You Must Master for CEH

• Strings, PEiD, PEview, CFF Explorer (static basics)
• Ghidra, IDA Free, Binary Ninja (disassembly)
• x64dbg, OllyDbg (debugging)
• Process Hacker, Process Explorer, Process Monitor
• Wireshark, FakeNet-NG, INetSim
• RegShot, Autoruns
• FLARE VM (Windows) + REMnux (Linux)

Real-World Ransomware Families Tested in CEH 2025

• LockBit 3.0 → double extortion
• Conti / BlackCat → Rust-based, fast encryption
• BlackMatter / DarkSide → targets critical infrastructure
• Phobos, Dharma → popular among smaller attackers

Students at Ethical Hacking Training Institute analyse live decryptable samples of these families.

Fileless Malware & Living-off-the-Land Techniques

• PowerShell Empire, Covenant, Cobalt Strike beacons
• Uses legitimate tools (wmics, certutil, bitsadmin)
• No file dropped → hard to detect by AV
• Memory-only execution (reflective DLL injection)

Malware Persistence Mechanisms (High-Scoring Theory Topic)

• Registry Run/RunOnce keys
• Startup folder
• Scheduled tasks & services
• WMI event subscriptions
• AppInit_DLLs, DLL search order hijacking

Anti-Analysis & Evasion Techniques Modern Malware Uses

• VM detection (Red Pill, timing attacks)
• Sandbox detection (mouse movement, username check)
• Packing & cryptors (UPX, ASPack, Themida)
• Code obfuscation & string encryption

Safe Malware Lab Architecture (Recommended by EC-Council)

• Physical host → Linux/Windows with VMware/VirtualBox
• Analysis VM → Windows 10/11 (no internet)
• REMnux VM → Linux tools + INetSim
• Network → Host-only or NAT with no gateway
• Snapshot after every analysis

Skip setup hassle – join Ethical Hacking Training Institute and get instant access to pre-built labs.

Conclusion: Clear CEH Malware Module with Confidence

Malware analysis is no longer optional – it is a make-or-break module for CEH Master and real jobs. Follow this exact roadmap:

• Week 1–2 → Master static analysis + tools
• Week 3–4 → Dynamic analysis + sandboxing
• Week 5–6 → Analyse 50+ real samples + write reports

At Ethical Hacking Training Institute, you get:

• 500+ curated malware samples
• 24×7 isolated lab access
• Live doubt clearing & report writing sessions
• Weekend & weekday batches
• 100% placement assistance for SOC & malware roles

Don’t risk your CEH score with theory-only courses. Join today and become a confident malware analyst in weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is malware analysis compulsory for CEH?

Yes. 10–14% weightage + practical flags.

Do I need programming knowledge?

Not for CEH level, but Python helps in automation.

Can malware destroy my laptop?

Not if you use our isolated cloud labs.

Which is better: Ghidra or IDA Free?

Ghidra – free, powerful decompiler, actively updated.

Is fileless malware really fileless?

No files on disk, but loads in memory via PowerShell/registry.

How many samples should I analyse?

Minimum 50–100 for confidence.

Do you provide REMnux/FLARE VM?

Yes, pre-installed and ready to use.

Is weekend training available?

Yes, live classes every Saturday-Sunday.

Will I get job after malware course?

Yes. SOC L1/L2, malware researcher roles in high demand.

How to start today?

Book free demo at Ethical Hacking Training Institute – start analysing real malware this week!