Malware › Module 8 › Lesson 2
Report Structure
Malware analysis report skeleton from $MAL_LAB — executive pulse, static/dynamic summary, IOC table, integrity block.
Visual · t22_report_structure
Report = exec + methodology + findings + IOCs. $MAL_LAB. Original Cyberlium.
Opening
A report blue can ingest beats a folder of screenshots named final_FINAL_v2 — structure helps defenders act.
Malware analysis reports open with scope ($MAL_LAB, sample source legal chain, hashes), executive pulse (family category, risk theme, top IOCs), methodology (static tools, dynamic $MAL_LAB config redacted), findings (static summary, dynamic behavior rows, net/proc timeline excerpt), IOC table typed with confidence, detection recommendations at literacy level, integrity statement (no host OS run, no weaponization, synthetic/legal sample only). Avoid live sample appendices, exploit cookbooks, ransomware builder sections. Cyberlium teaches dual-audience writing from YOUR lab work — not sensational 'patient zero' fiction, not copy-paste VT comments as analysis. chmod 600 until share channel approved.
1. Executive pulse
Sample hash, family category literacy, entry vector, C2 attempt Y/N, persistence Y/N — one page max.
Plain language risk for non-analysts — not raw hex dump wall.
Command guide
Try these commands — Executive pulse
═══ TOOLS & WEBSITES ═══ Browse / read these (authorized learning only — stay in YOUR lab / program scope)
STIX/TAXII literacy — https://oasis-open.github.io/cti-documentation/ (IOC sharing formats) VirusTotal IOC — https://www.virustotal.com/ (community hash context)
═══ INSTALL ═══
Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):
Command — copy this
sudo apt install openssl
Built-in (binutils)
macOS: Built-in
Windows:
Command — copy this
choco install openssl
Use WSL or install binutils
═══ LINUX / macOS ═══
Command — copy this
source "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/lab.env" 2>/dev/null || export LAB_MAL=$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal sha256sum "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/samples/"* > "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/notes/ioc-hashes.txt" strings "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/samples/eicar.com.txt" >> "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/notes/ioc-strings.txt" wc -l "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/notes/ioc-hashes.txt" "$HOME/cyberlium-lab/t22-mal/notes/ioc-strings.txt"
Primary tools to practice this lesson: openssl, strings. Reference sites: STIX/TAXII literacy (https://oasis-open.github.io/cti-documentation/); VirusTotal IOC (https://www.virustotal.com/). Run every command in the box — install first, then the usage lines — only on YOUR lab / program scope.
2. Technical body
Static findings cross-link Modules 3–5; dynamic and net/proc from Modules 6–7; UTC timeline excerpt redacted.
Separate observed vs inferred throughout — honesty builds trust.
3. Integrity block
$MAL_LAB only, legal sample source cited, no host detonation, no weaponize, no live sample casual share.
Teardown: VM reverted, notes secured.
4. What you ship: malware report outline
Report section list + exec pulse headers + integrity block template.
5. What you record before the next lesson
Report outline path.
6. Wrong vs right: live malware on daily driver vs sandbox
Worked failure — same MSF word, opposite target. Right never needs a café Wi-Fi or classmate laptop.
Wrong
Report claims analysis of stranger breach dump without legal chain.
Right
Malware report outline for $MAL_LAB work. Next: Share Safely.
Mission: report outline
1) List report sections in order. 2) Draft exec pulse headers. 3) IOC table column names. 4) Write integrity block.
Stuck? Ask Cyberlium AI Mentor
Ask Mentor: “Exec pulse — family name vs hash lead?”
Knowledge Check
APPLY: Report scope states:
Multiple choice
Knowledge Check
APPLY: True or False: Ransomware builder appendix belongs in report.
True or False
Knowledge Check
APPLY: Technical body includes:
Multiple choice