Browsing: PE File

3 PE Info Tool To Know About

Explore 3 Portable executable Analyzing tools or PE info tool that you need to know about when you want to analyze an EXE based file under windows.

In the era of Malware investigation, making the use of the genuine and the perfect tool is what makes the difference. The malevolent binaries are very frequent to happen in the PE formats.

What is PE format

IF you don’t know what a PE format is then let me tell you that it’s the full form is the portable executable format, and the tool that we are talking here are the PE Explorer or Analyzers or the pe info tool. These are used by the advanced programmers to steal a look inside the executable PE files of the windows.

These tools can also be used to view the structure of the PE files and also use the tool to make changes in the PE headers that are invalid. The particular tool is considered to be the best for the amateurs who want to learn the structures of the PE files. Wait for this doesn’t end here; you can furthermore use the tool for analyzing the viruses or the spyware.

In the forthcoming paragraphs, I have mentioned some of the best pe info tool or the pe analyzer tools that are worth paying attention to. So without further delay, the content, let’s delve into the particular tools.

Top PE analyzer tools

It is essential to use an excellent analyzing tool for the windows portable executable files to accurately see if there is any problem in it. Therefore, here are some genuine pe info tools that you can use to perform in-depth analysis in the file. Some of the below-reiterated tools are free to use, and for some, you will require putting your hands in your pocket.

  1. Exeinfo PE

If you are performing an analysis of malware, then the Exeinfo PE tool is quite useful. The best thing about the particular tool is that the program is lightweight. The specific tool will give you detailed information about what you might be looking for. It helps you by providing particular hints as well to trim down the searching time.

Although, it doesn’t detect what the file is about it helps you by recommending you to run an advanced scan to detect the malware.

  1. PEstudio

It is one of the interesting pe info tools that you can use. It is created by the Marc Ochesenmeier who has kept it entirely free for non-commercial use. However, for commercial users, there is a license that they can avail which features a PePArser engine powering the PeStudio.  It is a great program, although the interface is quite dull; it will do an excellent job for you by working hard to identify the file.

  1. CFF Explorer

If you are looking for a useful pe info tool that edits the PE file as well, then you can make the use of this particular file that is the CFF explorer. Daniel Pistelli creates a particular tool. The CFF explorer serves you with some incredible advantages that can fasten up your work.

The best thing is the interface of the program is easy to navigate as compared to the other editor tools. It also features some features that are not there in the other tools. One of its features named the address conversions is especially very helpful in the process of the malware analyzing. It allows the analysts to do the conversion easily.

Other PE Info Tools:

Other pe info tools that you can make the use of are the PE view developed and maintained by the Wayne J., and the other one is the FileAlyzer created by the Group Safer-Networking LTD. These are some of the tools that we have in our list. We recommend first to use them and then find the one that is more suitable for you.

And we have our own PE File tool that you can download and use.

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PE Header Viewer – Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to getting a view of PE structure then PE header viewer tool is providing lots of assistance. The tool is associated with different types of features. All these features are becoming useful in availing benefits and getting services with ease. The most important feature that you will get here is related to the editing.

With the assistance of editing features, you can get opportunities for making changes. The interested ones are capable of dealing with these types of tools on both types of Windows such as – 32 bit and 64-bit version.

The individuals who are putting efforts in learning the PE structure, they can get help from these types of sources. It helps them in boosting knowledge and making the method of gathering information easier.

Use of PE header viewer

Most individuals do not introduce to the usage of such kind of tool. Mainly these ones are used for decreasing the number of sources for getting internal information. On the basis of all these things, they are able to access information about the files easily and quickly. With all these things, the interested ones are capable of saving such data in a text file.

If you are going to access such a tool in the beginning then you can get some details about the file header. These details are:

  • Number of code sections
  • The stack size of information
  • Application subsystem
  • Image size

Another important thing about the PE header viewer, it helps by telling that what kind of binary is suitable for running on a machine. You can easily get details about sections by which you can get details about the linking time.

Know more

The users can also get an option related to the optional header. All types of files do not have this particular option. If we talk about image files then the header is becoming essential. With the use of the header, the interested ones are capable of getting the detail about the format of loading binary such as –

  • Starting address
  • Stack amount for reserve
  • Data segment’s size

The use of pe header viewer can assist in getting complete details related to all these things.

Crucial facts

If we talk about PE explorer then it has the hosting features. It helps you in analyzing the data and works as the editing tool for PE files. The header viewer is one of the most important features here.

On the basis of such a feature, you are able to deal with different types of things and get complete details about the header. It makes the system of viewing details easier as compared to other factors. With it, you can get details about the values of entry point with ease.

Entry point modification

For the modifications of entry point value, the interested ones can make lots of things easier. Here, the automatic range checking provides several benefits. Another major element is related to the notification settings. It sends a notification if the new file value goes outside the permissible range disabling the button.

Key facts about PE explore

With the feature of a PE header viewer, you can get numerous other options. Generally, these ones can help you in avoiding lots of issues. Sometimes, the files are creating errors in the opening. Here, some useful features of PE explorer are working.

As a result, the system will open such error creating files in the safe mode. The data that is creating errors do not process by the system. In these conditions, there is not any kind of guarantee about excluded data. This particular day may be affected by the error or not.

To view PE Header information you can download our tool.

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Exploring The World Of Files? Learning About PE File Header Is A Must

PE file header indicates the windows operating system of what files need running a distinct file. It distinguishes between various forms of headers present in computer memory.

PE File Header
PE File Header | Image by 200 Degrees from Pixabay

For every executable file in the computer, there is a common object file format (COFF). It tells the user about the internal structure of the executable file. Knowledge about this assists a person to comprehend about functioning and design of the data. It helps in analyzing and segregating the folders better. There are several types of COFF. One such executable file format of COFF is PE. It stands for Portable Executable format.

PE file header:

The PE header occupies the first 64 bits of the file. It uses MZ, called as the magic number that defines the identifiable file type. PE Header helps in determining the compatible format to be used. It is an image file header that tells about the file location. The authentic structure of the PE header consists of 11 subsections. It consists of .exe construction, and the predominant parts consist of an image signature, file header, and optional header. Each of these sections has its functions and importance.

The structure:

The file header consists of MS-DOS stub, signature, COFF header, and an optional header. A sectional header succeeds in a PE file header, which helps to differentiate between different header types.

  • MS-DOS stub: The MS-DOS is a windows application that finds its use for the images. It finds its place before the .exe extension. It has a stub that tells the user if the image can be used and accessed. If the image is not accessible, it displays a message that the file is inaccessible in the DOS mode.
  • Signature: Signature of the file follow the stub. It identifies the data as an image file. It consists of 4 bytes in size. In it, the characters P and E precedes two zeros or null bytes.
  • COFF header: It is a header, i.e., present at the start of the file or the one that immediately proceeds the signature. It has a maximum limit of 96 sections and is a representative of both objects and images. It consists of different fields, including machines, number of parts, time date stamp, etc. All of these fields have different offsets and sizes.
  • Optional header: It is an optional header used in the file for image files only. It comprises standard fields that make use of the first 8 bytes. They consist of general information that determines the loading and execution of the image.

PE File Section:

The section names of the PE file header are an editable section of the file. It has to be studied well before making an edit. The edit of the header by using the ASCII characteristics is easy and uncomplicated. To every edit, there is a rule and protocol. Harming these can lead to damage to the files. With different sectors owning their importance, the PE header is an attractive field to explore. It helps a person to explore more of the world of files, its working, and execution.

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Know All About PE File Format

To start off with, the Windows pe file format also known as the pe format is a new form of the operating system. The file format organizes and stores data.

PE File Format
PE File Format | Image by Boskampi from Pixabay

Understanding pe file format:

The executable files follow a common file format, which means, files that have extensions like .exe; .dll; .sys, etc. follow a similar, specific format of the binary structure. It is a well-structured format that is not altered and has to work the way it is developed. It is considered one of the greatest tools that have helped in being an outstanding programmer. The basic idea behind developing such a system is a common file format structure for all Windows software.

The working:

The well-defined structure of the pe file format is laid down properly that further helps in the working. The change from 32-bit to 64-bit needed a few alterations in the format. There were no major changes made other than the widening of certain fields.

One very convenient feature put forward by the format is the fact that the structure of the data on the disk is similar to the structure of the data in memory. This helps in finding your data very easily and conveniently. Once your file is loaded into the memory, it is called a Module.

This module contains all the data that is required to complete a certain process. There is also a central locator to find all the files which is termed as WINNT.H. This also makes your work so much easier.

The pe file format distinguishes data and codes up to some extent. This distinction is done in two different sections. It is easy to separate code but the data includes multiple programs of reading or write-only or both. They can even contain API tables and other related resources. The sections are further named as per the data or code that is included in them. The names of the sections are only for our reference.

PE File – The structure:

The structure of the pe file format is fixed. The structure of the file remains unchanged for all files. As already noted above, the possible alteration between 32-bit and 64-bit files is the fact that there is a widening of a few fields. The file begins with a header and a file signature. After that is the optional header which is then followed by the section headers and their respective section bodies. The end of the file contains little diverse information like information related to table number, relocation, line number, and other string data.

Wrap Up

The Windows pe file format turns out to be a very useful software that not just helping in keeping track of data but also helps in the proper filing of the same. With the in-built system of distinguishing and diving code and data helps in further diversification of the information that is then safely stored into respectable sections. Moreover, the central locator makes your life easy but searching through all the information stored and taking you directly to the point you need to be. A great software programmer for all your needs!

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Discover all about the Windows Portable Executable (PE) file here

Windows Portable Executable aka (PE)

Windows operating system is the most popular one in the world. It was first produced in November 1985 under the direction of Bill Gates, founder and CEO of Microsoft. Initially, this operating system received commands and gave results using a command line interface. However, today it allows you to interact with your computer by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). There are colorful icons to help you open files and programs.

Windows Portable Executable

The Windows operating system has been adapted for use in smartphones too. Every operating system has its own unique executable file. It is essentially a mirror indicating the capabilities of the respective operating system. Here is more about the windows portable executable file.

What is this file?

The windows portable executable (PE) file is a source of information about how the Windows operating system normally functions. This file was designed by Microsoft to be used in their x86 and x64 Windows operating systems. This file format is used for object code, DLL, executable, FON and core dump files. The PE file is essentially a data structure. It contains the information that is used by the Windows OS loader to deal with wrapped, executable code.

The parts of a Windows PE file

This file contains two main sections. They include:

• Header

• Section

Header

This section is divided into sub-sections. They include the DOS MZ Header, DOS Stub, PE File Header and the Image_Optional_Header.

The DOS MZ Header occupies the first 64 bytes of every Windows PE file. This is so that the underlying MS-DOS system can recognize this file and run it. This header sub-section is also used quite often by malware analysis tools.

The DOS Stub is another sub-section which normally prints messages indicating the status of the PE file. An example of such is, “This program does not execute in DOS mode.” The instructions which the DOS Stub should print are stored in the winstub.exe operating system file.

The PE File Header contains some information about the structure of the file. You can learn about the location of the file and its size too. This file essentially performs memory mapping.

Section

This is the main part of the windows portable executable file. It holds the main content of the file. Examples of this include the data, resources, code and executable files. A windows application normally has 9 parts. They include .idata, .pdata, .bss, .rdata, .rsrc, .edata, .text, .data, and .debug. The Section part of the PE file interacts with these parts. It can work with all or just some of them when the application is executed.

Conclusion

The windows portable executable is an important part of the operating system. It can be considered part of firmware. It is important for you not to edit or delete it. This can cause adverse effects across your entire system. The file is portable because you can use it in compatible operating system versions.

Examples of these are Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and more. The windows portable executable is one of the unique characteristics of this operating system. It exhibits the characteristics of Windows and sets it apart from other operating systems in the world of Information Technology (IT).

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The MZ Header

The MZ, at times, noted as ZM is a magic number for the file extension .exe supporting the binary and executable formats and can be extended to new, linear as well as the portable executable formats. The initials ZM or MZ refer to the name of Mark Zbikowski who put them into the original MS-DOS exec format. In as such, having the signature was necessary to create a distinguishing difference with other .EXE files from others that were considered much simpler like the .COM and the DOS formats.

The file can be easily identified by using the ASCII string MZ found at the beginning of the file. Compared to the COM format which is executable, the MZ Header is newer and different in that it contains information on relocation which allows users to access multiple segments that can be loaded on memory addresses as well as can support executable files slightly larger than the 64Kib. The only disadvantage of the MZ Header is that it requires little memory limits which apparently can be bypassed by the use of DOS extenders.

The executable found on the MZ Header can also run efficiently from DOS as well as 9x operating systems. Other 32 bit Windows can as well execute the MZ Header by using inbuilt virtual DOS machines. However, some of the graphical modes may not be supported by the MZ Header. On the other hand, 64-bit versions of Windows cannot execute the MZ Header. However, the DOSBox, Wine, and the DOSEMU are perfect alternative ways of running the MZ executable.

Moreover, it is considered that each and every PE file has a 16-bit DOS program. Due to that, when the file starts, it opens with the .EXE header. In the past, while people used the Microsoft Windows, The Windows 1.x, 2.x as well as 3.xx operating systems, they did not only exist in similar volumes as Microsoft DOS but equally ran with an MS-DOS operating system as well. As a matter of fact, it was highly likely that users found themselves attempting to run some of the programs in windows under the DOS.

Microsoft programmers, therefore, had to ensure that all windows programs had a 16-bit DOS program found at the front of each executable windows with the ability to alert users anytime they attempted to run any program under the Windows program operating under DOS. However, it cannot be considered to be more useful these days as it was back then when users and the world as a whole were transforming from the DOS to other systems and files that came after that. Notably, back then, it was not easy to find a program that could actually bind together a DOS version with a Win32 operating under the same single binary.

Additionally, users should know that the MZ Header is commonly used for backward compatibility. Moreover, it is considered the best to run on a program that has Win32 system as compared to others as well. Moreover, users should know that the MZ signature is commonly used by the MS-DOS relocatable 16-bit under the EXE format.

 

Don’t forget to check our pe file info tool and our file entropy article.

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What is file entropy?

In general words, entropy is referred to as the measurement of particular data in digital values. Similar to this, the term File Entropy is the representation of data sets in a specific file.

What is file entropy?
What is file entropy? | Image by kalhh from Pixabay

That is, the phrase File Entropy is used to measure the amount of data that is present in a selected file. For example, if you have some files and desire to calculate the entropy value for that, then it will be very simple by accessing the methods of File Entropy and its calculation process.

If you are unfamiliar with what exactly means the entropy exactly and how to calculate an entropy value for particular files, just refer to the details that are present below. The following details will provide the complete info about what is entropy and how it is helpful to calculate the exact value of given data.

How it is work

In simple and exact terms, entropy is defined as the measurement of unpredictable value or informative content. This definition may include different changes according to the sector or platform that uses the feature of entropy value. But, all types of measurement that are related to entropy calculation include only digital format information. Usually, the File Entropy is denoted by using different formulas depending on the form of selected data. The equation which is used by Shannon is the simple format to calculate the entropy value of data sets in a particular file. This equation includes the measurement of random value, which will be calculated as a result by using the number of given data sets.

The result value of the Shannon equation is generally represented between the values of zero and eight. So, the entropy value of a particular file is represented by using the digital values of 0 to 8. The result is either near to 0 or 8 as well as in-between these two numeric values. The final result will be concluded on the basis of value which is derived from the given data sets. For example, if the measured value is closer to zero, then it represents that the value of the given data set is a non-random or orderly format. Otherwise, if the value is closer to eight, then the given set is a random or un-orderly format. This is the basic concept of File Entropy calculation, which is related to the Shannon equation.

Uses of entropy measurement

The feature of entropy calculation is applicable for different purposes. But, it is mainly applicable for finding the values of encrypted data and compressed files. Generally, the random data is not similar to the normal kind of user data. For this purpose, the users apply the feature of File Entropy to calculate the value of given data that is represented by the format of non-uniform. Due to the inconvenient format of random data when compared to typical user data, the executable files are generally encrypted with the feature of a synchronized decryption algorithm. So, the users can access the data volumes in an easy way and can find the entropy values for those files efficiently.

File Entropy and malware research

File Entropy is also used in the field of malware protection, in the process of malware analysis as there are all kinds of security-related tools that you check on the file to extract all kinds of information from the file, to determine if the file is malware or legit file, and if it is a malware this can be useful on the malware file entropy can be a useful method to quickly check if the malware file had been packed with one of the packed software it is also a good method to check if the file encrypted by one of the encryption algorithms.

Don’t forget to check our pe header tool and our Windows File Analyzer article.

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