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<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
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---
name: conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging
description: >-
  Conduct dynamic analysis through debugging to observe runtime behavior, API calls, memory operations, and system interactions.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: reverse-engineering
tags:
  - dynamic-analysis
  - debugging
  - gdb
  - x64dbg
  - strace
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1027", "T1059"]
  cwe: ["CWE-506"]
  tools: ["GDB", "x64dbg", "strace", "ltrace", "Frida"]
---

# Conducting Dynamic Analysis Debugging

## Overview

Conduct dynamic analysis through debugging to observe runtime behavior, API calls, memory operations, and system interactions.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `GDB` | Security tooling |
| `x64dbg` | Security tooling |
| `strace` | Security tooling |
| `ltrace` | Security tooling |
| `Frida` | 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
# Trace system calls
strace -f -o trace.log ./target
ltrace -f -o ltrace.log ./target

# GDB with breakpoints
gdb -q ./target
(gdb) break main
(gdb) run
(gdb) info registers
(gdb) x/20i $rip

# Frida tracing
frida-trace -i "open*" -i "connect*" ./target
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

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

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with GDB
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Conducting Dynamic Analysis Debugging with GDB..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

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

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging/output/primary.json /tmp/conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "conducting-dynamic-analysis-debugging",
  "domain": "reverse-engineering",
  "tools_used": ["GDB", "x64dbg"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Dynamic Analysis Debugging Detection
id: 2a57c207-826c-40f2-8f03-6d52bf3352d4
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to conducting dynamic analysis debugging techniques in reverse engineering context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*conducting*dynamic*"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1027
  - attack.t1059
  - attack.defense_evasion
falsepositives:
  - Malware analysis sandbox performing automated binary inspection
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Analysis Debugging Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1027, T1059 |

## 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 T1027](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027) — Related technique
- [GDB Documentation](https://gdb.org/) — Primary tooling
- [x64dbg Reference](https://x64dbg.org/) — Secondary tooling
