Evading android runtime analysis via sandbox detection

Abstract

The large amounts of malware, and its diversity, have made it necessary for the security community to use automated dynamic analysis systems. These systems often rely on virtualization or emulation, and have recently started to be available to process mobile malware. Conversely, malware authors seek to detect such systems and evade analysis. In this paper, we present techniques for detecting Android runtime analysis systems. Our techniques are classified into four broad classes showing the ability to detect systems based on differences in behavior, performance, hardware and software components, and those resulting from analysis system design choices. We also evaluate our techniques against current publicly accessible systems, all of which are easily identified and can therefore be hindered by a motivated adversary. Our results show some fundamental limitations in the viability of dynamic mobile malware analysis platforms purely based on virtualization.