<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
<!-- NERF is a trademark of defconxt. -->
---
name: analyzing-communication-protocols
description: >-
  Reverse engineer proprietary communication protocols using traffic capture, pattern analysis, and protocol dissection.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: reverse-engineering
tags:
  - protocol-analysis
  - traffic-capture
  - dissection
  - proprietary-protocol
  - framing
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1040"]
  cwe: ["CWE-693"]
  tools: ["wireshark", "scapy", "netzob", "kaitai-struct"]
---

# Analyzing Communication Protocols

## Overview

Reverse engineer proprietary communication protocols using traffic capture, pattern analysis, and protocol dissection.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `wireshark` | Security tooling |
| `scapy` | Security tooling |
| `netzob` | Security tooling |
| `kaitai-struct` | 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/analyzing-communication-protocols/{output,logs,artifacts}

# Execute primary analysis with wireshark
echo "[*] Running Analyzing Communication Protocols with wireshark..."

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

# Generate summary report
cat /tmp/analyzing-communication-protocols/output/report.json
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

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

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/analyzing-communication-protocols/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with wireshark
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Analyzing Communication Protocols with wireshark..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/analyzing-communication-protocols/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

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

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/analyzing-communication-protocols/output/primary.json /tmp/analyzing-communication-protocols/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/analyzing-communication-protocols/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "analyzing-communication-protocols",
  "domain": "reverse-engineering",
  "tools_used": ["wireshark", "scapy"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Communication Protocols Detection
id: 81d3fc9d-43bb-4439-80c7-655f7bddce85
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to analyzing communication protocols techniques in reverse engineering context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*analyzing*communication*"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1040
  - attack.defense_evasion
falsepositives:
  - Malware analysis sandbox performing automated binary inspection
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Protocols Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1040 |

## 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 T1040](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1040) — Related technique
- [wireshark Documentation](https://wireshark.org/) — Primary tooling
- [scapy Reference](https://scapy.org/) — Secondary tooling
