Most users are familiar with viruses, trojans and worms. But there is a special type of malware that stands out for its stealth and accuracy in hitting its target – a logic bomb. Let’s figure out what it is.
Operating principle
Attackers embed malicious code into regular software. The program appears to work normally, but when certain conditions are met, a destructive mechanism is launched. This approach fundamentally distinguishes this type of threat from regular viruses – they try to replicate and spread, which means they are easier to detect.
Note: Antiviruses are often powerless against such attacks, since the malicious code is created for a specific purpose and does not have the characteristic features of typical viruses.
How the malicious mechanism works
Inside the program code, attackers place special instructions that continuously analyze the state of the computer. At a low level, such code is a sequence of conditional operators embedded in legitimate functions. Each time the program is launched, these operators check the specified conditions, but leave no traces in the system logs.
The mechanism for hiding malicious code plays an important role. Attackers often use polymorphism techniques – the code can change its structure, while remaining functionally identical. Obfuscation methods are also used: variables are given confusing names, extra operations are added, and non-standard programming techniques are used. It becomes very difficult for information security specialists to analyze the code.
The malicious component itself is usually broken down into several parts. One part is responsible for checking the conditions, another contains malicious instructions, and the third coordinates their interaction. Each fragment may look harmless on its own, which confuses researchers even more.
Types of trigger mechanisms
Methods for activating malicious code are constantly being improved. Modern techniques include complex algorithms for checking conditions and multi-level protection systems. Here are the main launch mechanisms:
- By time: the code is checked against the system clock and activated at a specified time. Often tied to significant dates or the end of the trial period of the program
- By user actions: launch occurs after certain operations – deleting a file or launching a specific program. Malicious code can track changes in the system registry
- By account: activation occurs when a specific user acts. Dismissed employees often program the launch at the time of deleting their account
- By location: triggered based on GPS or IP address data when the device leaves the permitted area
- Complex: several factors must coincide
How Hackers Hide Dangerous Code
Malware developers have learned to bypass security systems in different ways. Each security mechanism has its own method of deception.
- Confusing math tricks:
- to add two numbers,hackerwrites a long formula of 15-20 actions. Where there used to be “2+2”, there will be “(8÷2) + (7-5) – (13÷13) + (16-14)”. The antivirus will not understand that the program is doing simple addition
- meaningless commands are added to the code: “if the calendar shows February 31st AND the processor temperature is +300°C, then…”. The antivirus will have to check these conditions, although they will never work
- In the code, all clear command names (for example, sum for adding numbers) are replaced by a random set of letters and numbers like “a4k9_q2w”. This makes it harder for the antivirus to guess what each command does.
- simple actions are replaced by complex bit operations. What can be done with one command is stretched out over ten low-level processor instructions
- Clever encryption methods:
- hackers encrypt their code with a unique key. They create this key from special parameters of the victim computer: the processor serial number, Windows installation date and other data. The code will not run on another computer
- the program retrieves from memory and decrypts only those commands that are needed right now. The commands that have been processed disappear immediately, and only the encrypted version remains on the disk. Here it is – ideal disguise.
- Each time the program is launched, it changes the encryption method. It’s as if the text was written in a new language each time: today in Chinese, tomorrow in Arabic
- Invisibility code:
- the code is broken down into dozens of small parts. Each part contains only a few commands. If you look at one part, it looks harmless
- parts of the code are disguised as regular Windows files. One part pretends to be a printer driver, another – a sound program, a third – an update service
- before launching the program finds all its parts and collects them together directly in the computer’s memory. After work, the parts fly off again into different folders
- Counterfeit system:
- Attackers study real Windows files and create exact copies of their structure. They arrange all the bytes in the right order so that the file looks like a native one
- Malicious code penetrates already running programs. Some commands can hide in the Windows Explorer process or in the print service
- forgery of Microsoft digital signature. When the system sees a familiar signature, it passes the file without checking
Known cases of attacks
There have been several high-profile incidents in recent years.
Sabotage in the railway industry (2023)
In 2023, the Polish company Newag, a train manufacturer,found herself at the center of a scandal. Hidden code was found in the software of their trains. The company wanted to protect its business and prevent competitors from servicing their trains. To do this, they implemented a special program into the system:
- continuously received GPS location data
- compared coordinates with the database of competitors’ service centers
- when there was a coincidence, it blocked the train’s operation
The code was disguised as a geolocation and safety control function. If the train was within 1.5 km of a competing company’s service center, the system would shut down the traction motors, controls, and air conditioning. To restart the train, owners had to take it to an official Newag service center.
Blow to South Korea’s financial system (2013)
March 20, 2013At 14:00 local time, a large-scale synchronized attack occurred. The malicious code simultaneously triggered on the systems of:
- Shinhan Bank, Nonghyup Bank and Jeju Bank
- KBS and MBC television and radio companies
- several insurance companies
The investigation revealed that the code had penetrated the systems several months before incident through infected updates of legitimate software. The attackers disguised it as standard maintenance procedures. At the moment of activation, the following occurred:
- Destroying boot sectors of disks
- encryption of critical system files
- deleting backups
The country’s financial sector was paralyzed for several days. To restore operations, software had to be reinstalled on more than 32,000 computers.
Fannie Mae’s Disaster Averted (2008)
In October 2008, Fannie Mae security researchers reviewed system scripts andsuspicious code foundIT contractor Rajendrakumar Makwand, unhappy with his dismissal, left a program in the system that was supposed to run on January 31, 2009. Analysis showed that:
- the code was embedded into a regular server maintenance script
- The program used system administrator credentials
- The activation was scheduled for a weekend so that no one would notice the attack right away.
If the program had worked, it would have wiped data from 4,000 of the company’s servers, including financial information and customer base. It would have taken weeks to restore everything, and the company would have lost millions of dollars. Fortunately, the threat was discovered in time, and the attacker received 41 months in prison.
How to protect yourself
Thorough code analysis
Regular testing of programs should be carried out at several levels:
- Automatic checking: using special tools to find suspicious fragments, unusual conditions and hidden triggers
- Sandbox testing: running programs in an isolated environment with different settings and conditions
- Peer review: Experienced developers review critical components and security changes
Technical methods for identifying threats
Modern security systems use a comprehensive approach to detecting hidden threats. Each analysis method is aimed at identifying specific signs of malicious code.
Dynamic analysis of executable code
When a program is launched, the protection system monitors all its actions in real time. Special analyzers study the sequence of system calls, memory accesses, and interactions with other processes. The following are considered suspicious:
- Abnormal system calls:
- requests for current time or frequent coordinates
- attempts to read the list of processes or users
- non-standard operations with the system registry
- calls to undocumented API functions
- Unusual file operations:
- attempts to modify system files
- creating hidden files or directories
- modification of boot sectors
- encryption of user data
- Network activity:
- connections to unknown servers
- encrypted data transmission
- use of non-standard protocols
- attempts to bypass the firewall
Static analysis of binary code
Before the program is launched, special tools study its structure and content. They look for:
- characteristic command sequences
- signatures of known malware
- atypical compilation methods
- signs of obfuscation or encryption
Heuristic analysis
Security systems use machine learning algorithms to identify potential threats. Here, the analysis is carried out:
- statistical characteristics of the code
- command sequences and their frequency
- program control flow graphs
- access templates to system resources
In general, logic bombs are an extremely dangerous thing due to the difficulty of detection and the pinpoint nature of the attacks. Protection requires not only technical means, but also the correct organization of work processes, strict access control and constant checks. Only a comprehensive approach will help reduce risks.
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