[VMMAP]
Virtual memory analyzer for process injection detection, memory layout analysis, and advanced security investigation
Key Features
Understanding Virtual Memory
Virtual memory allows processes to use memory addresses that are mapped to physical RAM or storage. VMMap provides detailed insight into how processes organize and use their virtual address space.
Memory Types:
- • Image: Executable files (EXE, DLL)
- • Private: Process-specific memory
- • Mapped File: Memory-mapped files
- • Heap: Dynamic memory allocation
- • Stack: Function call stacks
- • Shareable: Shared memory regions
Protection Types:
- • PAGE_EXECUTE_READ: Executable code
- • PAGE_READWRITE: Data regions
- • PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE: Suspicious!
- • PAGE_READONLY: Read-only data
- • PAGE_NOACCESS: Protected regions
Basic Usage
Process Analysis
Key Interface Elements
- Address Space View: Graphical representation of memory layout
- Details Pane: Detailed information about selected memory regions
- Summary View: Statistics and totals by memory type
- Protection Filter: Filter memory regions by protection type
- Refresh Function: Update memory information in real-time
Malware Detection Techniques
Process Injection Indicators
🚨 RWX Memory Regions
Memory regions with Read, Write, and Execute permissions are highly suspicious.
⚠️ Unusual Private Memory
Large private memory regions without backing files may indicate injected code.
🔍 Executable Heap
Heap memory marked as executable often indicates shellcode injection.
Injection Techniques Detected
| Technique | Memory Signature | Detection Method |
|---|---|---|
| DLL Injection | Unexpected DLL mappings | Check Image regions for suspicious DLLs |
| Process Hollowing | Modified executable sections | Compare memory layout to disk image |
| Reflective DLL Loading | Private executable memory | Look for RWX private regions |
| Thread Injection | Modified thread stacks | Analyze stack memory protection |
| Atom Bombing | Executable atom table | Check system table mappings |
Security Use Cases
🦠 Malware Analysis
Detect process injection, code caves, and memory manipulation techniques.
🔍 Incident Response
Investigate suspicious processes and memory modifications during security incidents.
🧪 Dynamic Analysis
Monitor memory changes during malware execution and sandbox analysis.
🔧 Performance Analysis
Analyze memory usage patterns and identify memory leaks or anomalies.
Advanced Analysis Techniques
Memory Baseline Comparison
- Clean State: Capture memory layout of clean process
- Post-Infection: Compare with potentially infected process
- Delta Analysis: Identify new or modified memory regions
- Temporal Monitoring: Track memory changes over time
Hunting Techniques
Filter memory view to show only PAGE_EXECUTE_READWRITE regions
Look for unusually large private memory allocations
Compare loaded images with disk versions
Watch for dynamic permission modifications
Integration with Memory Forensics
VMMap complements memory forensics tools by providing real-time analysis capabilities. Use VMMap findings to guide deeper analysis with tools like Volatility or ProcDump.
Workflow Integration:
- • Use VMMap to identify suspicious regions
- • Extract memory dumps with ProcDump
- • Analyze dumps with Volatility/WinDbg
- • Cross-reference with Process Monitor
Evidence Collection:
- • Screenshot memory layout for reports
- • Export memory region details
- • Document protection changes
- • Save configuration for reproduction