<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
<!-- NERF is a trademark of defconxt. -->
---
name: reverse-engineering-game-cheats
description: >-
  Analyze game cheat software to understand memory manipulation, hooking techniques, and anti-cheat bypass methods.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: reverse-engineering
tags:
  - game-cheats
  - memory-hacking
  - hooking
  - anti-cheat
  - game-security
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1055"]
  cwe: ["CWE-693"]
  tools: ["cheat-engine", "x64dbg", "ida-pro", "ghidra"]
---

# Reverse Engineering Game Cheats

## Overview

Analyze game cheat software to understand memory manipulation, hooking techniques, and anti-cheat bypass methods.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `cheat-engine` | Security tooling |
| `x64dbg` | Security tooling |
| `ida-pro` | Security tooling |
| `ghidra` | Security tooling |
| Isolated lab environment for testing | Environment requirement |
| Authorization and signed Rules of Engagement (RoE) | Environment requirement |
| Relevant target samples or systems acquired through authorized channels | Environment requirement |

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Initialize working environment
mkdir -p /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/{output,logs,artifacts}

# Execute primary analysis with cheat-engine
echo "[*] Running Reverse Engineering Game Cheats with cheat-engine..."

# Validate results with x64dbg
echo "[*] Cross-validating with x64dbg..."

# Generate summary report
cat /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/output/report.json
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

```bash
# Identify target and gather initial intelligence
file ./target_sample
cheat-engine --version 2>/dev/null || echo "Install cheat-engine"

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with cheat-engine
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Reverse Engineering Game Cheats with cheat-engine..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

```bash
# Apply x64dbg for secondary analysis
echo "[*] Deep investigation with x64dbg..."

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/output/primary.json /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/reverse-engineering-game-cheats/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "reverse-engineering-game-cheats",
  "domain": "reverse-engineering",
  "tools_used": ["cheat-engine", "x64dbg"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Reverse Engineering Game Cheats Detection
id: bfd60ed6-a384-4d42-993f-7b048fc4705a
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to reverse engineering game cheats techniques in reverse engineering context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*reverse*engineering*"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1055
  - attack.defense_evasion
falsepositives:
  - Malware analysis sandbox performing automated binary inspection
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Reverse Engineering Game Cheats Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1055 |

## Verification

- [ ] Environment and tools verified and operational
- [ ] Target samples acquired through authorized channels
- [ ] Primary analysis completed with findings documented
- [ ] Secondary validation performed with independent tooling
- [ ] All artifacts preserved in structured output directory
- [ ] Detection opportunities documented for blue team

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK T1055](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055) — Related technique
- [cheat-engine Documentation](https://cheat-engine.org/) — Primary tooling
- [x64dbg Reference](https://x64dbg.org/) — Secondary tooling
