[![Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PANW_Parent.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/) [![Unit42 Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/unit42-logo-white.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) Menu * [Tools](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tools/) * [ATOMs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atoms/) * [Security Consulting](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42) * [About Us](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/about-unit-42/) * [**Under Attack?**](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/contact-unit42.html) * [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") * [Learning Hub](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/learning-hub/ "Learning Hub") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/ "Malware") [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) # Using IDAPython to Make Your Life Easier: Part 1 ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 5 min read * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:December 29, 2015 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Learning Hub](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/learning-hub/) * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [IDA Pro](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ida-pro/) * [IDAPython](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/idapython/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/using-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=c159619a8e "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/using-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=c159619a8e "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-share-link.svg) * [![Link Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-sms.svg)](mailto:?subject=Using%20IDAPython%20to%20Make%20Your%20Life%20Easier:%20Part%201&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fusing-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1%2F "Share in email") * [![Facebook Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-fb-share.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fusing-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1%2F "Share in Facebook") * [![LinkedIn Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-linkedin-share.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fusing-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1%2F&title=Using%20IDAPython%20to%20Make%20Your%20Life%20Easier:%20Part%201 "Share in LinkedIn") * [![Twitter Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-twitter-share.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fusing-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1%2F&text=Using%20IDAPython%20to%20Make%20Your%20Life%20Easier:%20Part%201 "Share in Twitter") * [![Reddit Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fusing-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Using%20IDAPython%20to%20Make%20Your%20Life%20Easier:%20Part%201%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fusing-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-1%2F "Share in Mastodon") As a malware reverse engineer, I often find myself using [IDA Pro](https://www.hex-rays.com/products/ida/) in my day-to-day activities. It should come as no surprise, seeing as IDA Pro is the industry standard (although alternatives such as [radare2](https://www.radare.org/r/) and [Hopper](https://www.hopperapp.com/) are gaining traction). One of the more powerful features of IDA that I implore all reverse engineers to make use of is the Python addition, aptly named 'IDAPython', which exposes a large number of IDA API calls. Of course, users also get the added benefit of using Python, which gives them access to the wealth of capabilities that the scripting language provides. Unfortunately, there's surprisingly little information in the way of tutorials when it comes to IDAPython. Some exceptions to this include the following: * "[The IDA Pro Book](https://www.idabook.com/)" by Chris Eagle * "[The Beginner's Guide to IDAPython](https://leanpub.com/IDAPython-Book)" by Alex Hanel * "[IDAPython Wiki](https://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/IDAPython)" by Magic Lantern In the hopes of increasing the amount of IDAPython tutorial material available to analysts, I'm providing examples of code I write as interesting use-cases arise. For Part 1 of this series, I'm going to walk through a situation where I was able to write a script to thwart multiple instances of string obfuscation witnessed in a malware sample. ## Background While reverse-engineering a malicious sample, I encountered the following function: ![fig1](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fig11-500x268.png) *Figure 1 String decryption function* Based on experience, I suspected this might be used to decrypt data contained in the binary. The number of references to this function supported my suspicion. ![fig2](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fig21-500x382.png) *Figure 2 High number of references to suspect function* As we can see in figure 2, there are 116 instances where this particular function is called. In each instance where this function is called, a blob of data is being supplied as an argument to this function via the ESI register. ![fig3](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fig3-500x367.png) *Figure 3 Instances where the suspect function (405BF0) is called* At this point I am confident that this function is being used by the malware to decrypt strings during runtime. When faced with this type of situation, I typically have a few choices: 1. I can manually decrypt and rename these obfuscated strings 2. I can dynamically run this sample and rename the strings as I encounter them 3. I can write a script that will both decrypt these strings and rename them for me If this were a situation where the malware was only decrypting a few strings overall, I might take the first or second approach. However, as we've identified previously, this function is being used 116 times, so the scripting approach will make a lot more sense. ## Scripting in IDAPython The first step in defeating this string obfuscation is to identify and replicate the decryption function. Fortunately for us, this particular decryption function is quite simple. The function is simply taking the first character of the blob and using it as a single-byte XOR key for the remaining data. E4 91 96 88 89 8B 8A CA 80 88 88 In the above example, we would take the 0xE4 byte and XOR it against the remaining data. Doing so results in the string of 'urlmon.dll'. In Python, we can replicate this decryption as such: def decrypt(data): length = len(data) c = 1 o = "" while c \< length: o += chr(ord(data\[0\]) ^ ord(data\[c\])) c += 1 return o |-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | def decrypt(data): length = len(data) c = 1 o = "" while c \< length: o += chr(ord(data\[0\]) ^ ord(data\[c\])) c += 1 return o | In testing this code, we get the expected result. \>\>\> from binascii import \* \>\>\> d = unhexlify("E4 91 96 88 89 8B 8A CA 80 88 88".replace(" ",'')) \>\>\> decrypt(d) 'urlmon.dll' |---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 2 3 4 | \>\>\> from binascii import \* \>\>\> d = unhexlify("E4 91 96 88 89 8B 8A CA 80 88 88".replace(" ",'')) \>\>\> decrypt(d) 'urlmon.dll' | The next step for us would be to identify what code is referencing the decryption function, and extracting the data being supplied as an argument. Identifying references to a function in IDA proves to be quite simple, as the XrefsTo() API function does exactly this. For this script, I'm going to hardcode the address of the decryption script. The following code can be used to identify the addresses of the references to the decryption function. As a test, I'm simply going to print out the addresses in hexadecimal. for addr in XrefsTo(0x00405BF0, flags=0): print hex(addr.frm) Result: 0x401009L 0x40101eL 0x401037L 0x401046L 0x401059L 0x40106cL 0x40107fL \ |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | for addr in XrefsTo(0x00405BF0, flags=0): print hex(addr.frm) Result: 0x401009L 0x40101eL 0x401037L 0x401046L 0x401059L 0x40106cL 0x40107fL \ | Getting the supplied argument to these cross-references and extracting the raw data proves to be slightly more tricky, but certainly not impossible. The first thing we'll want to do is get the offset address provided in the 'mov esi, offset unk\_??' instruction that proceeds the call to the string decryption function. To do this, we're going to step backward one instruction at a time for each reference to the string decryption function and look for a 'mov esi, offset \[addr\]' instruction. To get the actual address of the offset address, we can use the [GetOperandValue()](https://www.hex-rays.com/products/ida/support/idadoc/277.shtml) API function. The following code allows us to accomplish this: def find\_function\_arg(addr): while True: addr = idc.PrevHead(addr) if GetMnem(addr) == "mov" and "esi" in GetOpnd(addr, 0): print "We found it at 0x%x" % GetOperandValue(addr, 1) break Example Results: Python\>find\_function\_arg(0x00401009) We found it at 0x418be0 |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | def find\_function\_arg(addr): while True: addr = idc.PrevHead(addr) if GetMnem(addr) == "mov" and "esi" in GetOpnd(addr, 0): print "We found it at 0x%x" % GetOperandValue(addr, 1) break Example Results: Python\>find\_function\_arg(0x00401009) We found it at 0x418be0 | Now we simply need to extract the string from the offset address. Normally we would use the [GetString()](https://www.hex-rays.com/products/ida/support/idadoc/1516.shtml) API function, however, since the strings in question are raw binary data, this function will not work as expected. Instead, we're going to iterate byte-by-byte until we reach a null terminator. The following code can be used to accomplish this: def get\_string(addr): out = "" while True: if Byte(addr) != 0: out += chr(Byte(addr)) else: break addr += 1 return out |-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 | def get\_string(addr): out = "" while True: if Byte(addr) != 0: out += chr(Byte(addr)) else: break addr += 1 return out | At this point, it's simply a matter of taking everything we've created thus far and putting it together. def find\_function\_arg(addr): while True: addr = idc.PrevHead(addr) if GetMnem(addr) == "mov" and "esi" in GetOpnd(addr, 0): return GetOperandValue(addr, 1) return "" def get\_string(addr): out = "" while True: if Byte(addr) != 0: out += chr(Byte(addr)) else: break addr += 1 return out def decrypt(data): length = len(data) c = 1 o = "" while c \< length: o += chr(ord(data\[0\]) ^ ord(data\[c\])) c += 1 return o print "\[\*\] Attempting to decrypt strings in malware" for x in XrefsTo(0x00405BF0, flags=0): ref = find\_function\_arg(x.frm) string = get\_string(ref) dec = decrypt(string) print "Ref Addr: 0x%x | Decrypted: %s" % (x.frm, dec) Results: \[\*\] Attempting to decrypt strings in malware Ref Addr: 0x401009 | Decrypted: urlmon.dll Ref Addr: 0x40101e | Decrypted: URLDownloadToFileA Ref Addr: 0x401037 | Decrypted: wininet.dll Ref Addr: 0x401046 | Decrypted: InternetOpenA Ref Addr: 0x401059 | Decrypted: InternetOpenUrlA Ref Addr: 0x40106c | Decrypted: InternetReadFile \ |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 | def find\_function\_arg(addr): while True: addr = idc.PrevHead(addr) if GetMnem(addr) == "mov" and "esi" in GetOpnd(addr, 0): return GetOperandValue(addr, 1) return "" def get\_string(addr): out = "" while True: if Byte(addr) != 0: out += chr(Byte(addr)) else: break addr += 1 return out def decrypt(data): length = len(data) c = 1 o = "" while c \< length: o += chr(ord(data\[0\]) ^ ord(data\[c\])) c += 1 return o print "\[\*\] Attempting to decrypt strings in malware" for x in XrefsTo(0x00405BF0, flags=0): ref = find\_function\_arg(x.frm) string = get\_string(ref) dec = decrypt(string) print "Ref Addr: 0x%x | Decrypted: %s" % (x.frm, dec) Results: \[\*\] Attempting to decrypt strings in malware Ref Addr: 0x401009 | Decrypted: urlmon.dll Ref Addr: 0x40101e | Decrypted: URLDownloadToFileA Ref Addr: 0x401037 | Decrypted: wininet.dll Ref Addr: 0x401046 | Decrypted: InternetOpenA Ref Addr: 0x401059 | Decrypted: InternetOpenUrlA Ref Addr: 0x40106c | Decrypted: InternetReadFile \ | We can see all of the decrypted strings within the malware. While we can stop at this point, if we take the next step of providing a comment of the decrypted string at both the string decryption reference address and the position of the encrypted data, we can easily see what data is being provided. To do this, we'll make use of the [MakeComm()](https://www.hex-rays.com/products/ida/support/idadoc/204.shtml) API function. Adding the following two lines of code after our last print statement will add the necessary comments: MakeComm(x.frm, dec) MakeComm(ref, dec) |-----|-----------------------------------------| | 1 2 | MakeComm(x.frm, dec) MakeComm(ref, dec) | Adding this extra step cleans up the cross-reference view nicely, as we can see below. Now we can easily identify where particular strings are being referenced. ![fig4](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fig4-500x299.png) *Figure 4 Cross-reference to string decryption after running IDAPython script* Additionally, when navigating the disassembly, we can see the decrypted strings as comments. ![fig5](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fig5-500x357.png) *Figure 5 Assembly after IDAPython script is run* ## Conclusion Using IDAPython, we were able to take an otherwise difficult task of decrypting 161 instances of encrypted strings in a malicious binary and defeat the binary quite easily. As we've seen, IDAPython can be a powerful tool for a reverse engineer, simplifying various tasks and saving precious time. Back to top ### Tags * [IDA Pro](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ida-pro/ "IDA Pro") * [IDAPython](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/idapython/ "IDAPython") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: ProxyBack Malware Turns User Systems Into Proxies Without Consent](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/proxyback-malware-turns-user-systems-into-proxies-without-consent/ "ProxyBack Malware Turns User Systems Into Proxies Without Consent") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [How We Added WebAuthn to a Browser-Based RDP Client](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/webauthn-added-to-browser-based-rdp/ "article - table of contents") * [A Mega Malware Analysis Tutorial Featuring Donut-Generated Shellcode](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/donut-malware-analysis-tutorial/ "article - table of contents") * [Using IDAPython to Make Your Life Easier: Part 6](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-using-idapython-to-make-your-life-easier-part-6/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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The background features lines of computer code and graphics, creating a sense of cybersecurity threat.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_Malware_Category_1920x900-3-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 11, 2026 [#### Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/) * [Android APK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/android-apk/ "Android APK") * [Ethereum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ethereum/ "Ethereum") * [HTTP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/http/ "HTTP") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/ "Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet") ![Pictorial representatiom pf Aeternum's blockchain C2. A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-4-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 10, 2026 [#### The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum's Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) * [Aeternum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aeternum/ "Aeternum") * [Infection chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infection-chain/ "infection chain") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/ "The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications") ![Pictorial representation of ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm. An artistic depiction of a digital workspace featuring an open laptop with a red virus on the screen.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03_Malware_Category_1920x900-7-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) August 6, 2026 [#### ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/) * [Blockchain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blockchain/ "blockchain") * [ChainDrop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chaindrop/ "ChainDrop") * [Claude code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/claude-code/ "Claude code") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/ "ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm") ![Pictorial representation of Token-jacking. A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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