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extracting-and-classifying-strings

Extracts ASCII and Unicode strings from a binary and classifies them into investigative categories: URLs, IPs, file paths, registry keys, mutexes, commands, and API names, prioritizing the analyst's attention. Activates for requests to extract strings, classify strings output, or pull human-readable artifacts from a sample.

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Files included (4)

  • SKILL.md2.9 KB
  • LICENSE340 B
  • references/api-reference.md1.1 KB
  • scripts/analyst.py2.6 KB

SKILL.md (original)

Review the instructions the agent will receive before you install.

Extracting and Classifying Strings

When to Use

  • You are triaging a sample and want quick investigative leads from its readable strings.
  • You need both ASCII and UTF-16LE (Unicode) strings, which many tools miss by default.
  • You want strings grouped by meaning (URLs, paths, registry, commands) rather than a flat dump.

Do not use plaintext strings as the whole story for packed/obfuscated samples — the useful strings may be encrypted; pair with entropy checks and deobfuscation (FLOSS) when the dump is sparse.

Prerequisites

  • Python (stdlib) or strings/FLOSS; the sample handled inertly in the lab.

Safety & Handling

  • Extract strings from the inert file; never execute the sample.
  • Defang any URLs/IPs before putting them in a report or ticket.

Workflow

Step 1: Extract ASCII and Unicode strings

Pull printable runs at a minimum length (default 4–5) for both ASCII and UTF-16LE encodings to avoid missing Windows wide strings.

python scripts/analyst.py strings sample.bin --min-len 5

Step 2: Classify by category

Bucket strings into URLs, IPs, domains, file paths, registry keys, mutex/event names, suspicious commands, and API names so leads surface immediately.

Step 3: Prioritize leads

Promote network indicators, command lines, and suspicious API references to the top; defang network artifacts for safe handling.

Step 4: Recognize obfuscation

A near-empty or junk-only dump signals packing/string obfuscation; route to entropy analysis and FLOSS/manual deobfuscation.

Validation

  • Both ASCII and Unicode strings are extracted (Windows wide strings are not missed).
  • Strings are grouped into useful categories, not a flat list.
  • A sparse/garbage dump is correctly read as an obfuscation signal, not "clean".

Pitfalls

  • Extracting ASCII only and missing UTF-16LE strings.
  • Treating a packed sample's empty dump as benign.
  • Reporting live URLs/IPs without defanging.

References

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