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wtf is advanced-loader-reverse-engineering?

kaandemir993/advanced-loader-reverse-engineering — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

10Audience · researcherComplexity · 5/5Setup · easy

TL;DR

A written malware analysis documenting an advanced Windows loader that uses module stomping, a Control Flow Guard bypass, and COM hijacking across four system components.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((Loader Analysis))
    What it does
      Documents a Windows loader
      Module stomping writeup
      CFG bypass writeup
    Tech stack
      WinDbg
      Ghidra
      Markdown
    Use cases
      Malware analysis training
      Check indicators of compromise
      Study reverse engineering methods
    Audience
      Security researchers
    Setup
      No install needed
      Read only document

Code map

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Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Study how a real multi-stage Windows loader uses module stomping and COM hijacking, for malware analysis training.

REASON 2

Use the listed indicators of compromise to check systems for signs of this specific loader.

REASON 3

Learn how tools like WinDbg and Ghidra are used to reverse engineer injected code in a live process.

What's in the stack?

MarkdownWinDbgGhidra

How it stacks up

kaandemir993/advanced-loader-reverse-engineering0xbitx/dedsec_linx2win8damon/pwning-openedr
Stars101010
LanguageC++
Setup difficultyeasyeasyhard
Complexity5/52/54/5
Audienceresearcherdeveloperresearcher

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

This repository is a documentation write-up with screenshots, not software to install or run.

No license is mentioned in the README.

Wtf does this do

This repository is a written analysis of a piece of malware, specifically an advanced multi stage loader that a security researcher going by the name StructBreaker examined and documented. A loader is a type of malicious program whose job is to get a bigger malicious payload running on a victim's computer while trying to avoid detection along the way. This particular loader is examined as it targets four different Windows system files: the process Shellhost.exe, and three system DLL files named amsi.dll, mstscax.dll, and clbcatq.dll. The write up walks through each target one at a time, using screenshots from tools called WinDbg and Ghidra, which are used to inspect running programs and analyze compiled code. Against Shellhost.exe, the loader uses a technique called module stomping, where it overwrites legitimate code inside a running, trusted process with its own hidden instructions, and the analysis points out garbled leftover text and deliberately broken instructions inside that hidden code. Against amsi.dll, a Windows security component, the loader fills a section with filler trap instructions and a single jump that leads to code designed to get around a Windows protection feature called Control Flow Guard, which normally restricts where a program's execution can jump to. Against mstscax.dll, the loader manually sets aside a small block of memory and fills in values that set up what is called a vtable, a technique connected to hijacking how Windows looks up certain software components. Against clbcatq.dll, the analysis describes memory and vtable manipulation aimed at reaching higher, system level privileges on the machine. The repository lists specific indicators someone could use to check whether their own systems show signs of this loader, including a particular Windows registry key, the exact DLLs and process named above, and the presence of the custom hidden code section. There is no code included in this repository, no downloadable tool, and no mention of a license. It reads as a documentation and research writeup rather than software meant to be installed or run.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Explain what module stomping is and how this loader uses it against Shellhost.exe.
Prompt 2
Walk me through how the Control Flow Guard bypass technique described here works against amsi.dll.
Prompt 3
Summarize the indicators of compromise listed in this analysis so I can check for them.
Prompt 4
Explain the COM hijacking technique this loader uses against clbcatq.dll.

Frequently asked questions

wtf is advanced-loader-reverse-engineering?

A written malware analysis documenting an advanced Windows loader that uses module stomping, a Control Flow Guard bypass, and COM hijacking across four system components.

What license does advanced-loader-reverse-engineering use?

No license is mentioned in the README.

How hard is advanced-loader-reverse-engineering to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is advanced-loader-reverse-engineering for?

Mainly researcher.

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