Detection of Malicious Non-Executable Files Using Syntactic Structure
A major portion of threats against end-user systems arises from non-executable files, e.g., PDF documents or Flash animations. Such files may contain malicious executable content which is launched when a file is opened in a vulnerable viewer. Such attacks are hard to detect due to the high complexity of respective file formats. Conventional antivirus products often miss malicious content hidden in the rich syntactic structure of file formats.
A research group at the University of Tübingen developed a patent-pending technology: a highly performant static analysis tool for detection of malicious PDF documents. Instead of performing analysis of JavaScript or any other content for detection, the new developed method provides a reliable means for detection of malicious files by focusing precisely on structural artifacts arising from embedded malicious content. The research group could demonstrate its effectiveness on a dataset of about 500,000 real-world malicious and benign PDF files: the new method outperforms each of the 43 antiviruses at VirusTotal and other specialized detection methods. Additionally, the new method is almost completely immune to nearly worst-case attack scenarios.
Further Information: PDF
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Phone: +49 (7071) 29-72639
Contact
Dr. Rolf Hecker
Media Contact
All latest news from the category: Technology Offerings
Newest articles
Machine learning algorithm reveals long-theorized glass phase in crystal
Scientists have found evidence of an elusive, glassy phase of matter that emerges when a crystal’s perfect internal pattern is disrupted. X-ray technology and machine learning converge to shed light…
Mapping plant functional diversity from space
HKU ecologists revolutionize ecosystem monitoring with novel field-satellite integration. An international team of researchers, led by Professor Jin WU from the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong…
Inverters with constant full load capability
…enable an increase in the performance of electric drives. Overheating components significantly limit the performance of drivetrains in electric vehicles. Inverters in particular are subject to a high thermal load,…