ByteHunter

Reverse engineering tool for malware analysis, vulnerability research, and binary analysis

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🎯 Overview

ByteHunter is a IDA Pro plugin that changes binary signature generation and pattern matching. Built from the ground up in C with performance-critical optimizations, it provides advanced capabilities for reverse engineers, malware researchers, and security professionals.

Key Features

• 🚀 Performance: AVX2 SIMD-accelerated pattern matching for massive speed improvements
• 🎨 Multiple Output Formats: Support for IDA, x64Dbg, C arrays, and hex byte formats
• 🧠 Intelligent Wildcarding: Architecture-aware operand analysis and instruction optimization
• 🔍 Advanced Pattern Search: Automatic format detection with robust parsing
• 📊 XREF Analysis: Cross-reference signature generation with quality ranking
• ⚡ Memory Optimized: Efficient memory management with dynamic allocation
• 🔧 Configurable: Extensive customization options for different use cases

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🛠 Installation

Prerequisites

• IDA Pro 8.0+ or 9.0+ (Professional or Freeware)
• IDA SDK corresponding to your IDA version
• C/C++ Compiler: GCC, Clang, or MSVC
• CMake 3.12+ or Make

Building from Source

Using CMake (Recommended)

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/ByteHunter.git
cd ByteHunter
mkdir build && cd build

# Configure for your IDA version
cmake -DIDA_SDK_PATH=/path/to/ida/sdk ..

# Build
cmake --build . --config Release

# Install
cmake --install . --prefix ~/.idapro/plugins

Using Makefile

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/ByteHunter.git
cd ByteHunter

# Build with custom SDK path
make IDA_SDK=/path/to/ida/sdk

# Install to IDA plugins directory
make install

Manual SDK Setup

1. Download IDA SDK from Hex-Rays website
2. Extract to project directory:

   ByteHunter/
   ├── SDK/
   │   ├── 8/          # IDA 8 SDK
   │   ├── 9/          # IDA 9 SDK
   │   └── 9beta/      # IDA 9 Beta SDK
   └── ...
   

3. Build using your preferred method

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🚀 Usage

Basic Operation

1. Open target binary in IDA Pro
2. Navigate to desired location in disassembly
3. Press Ctrl+Alt+B to open ByteHunter dialog
4. Select action and format, configure options
5. Click OK - signature copied to clipboard automatically

Core Functions

🎯 Unique Signature Generation

Generate minimal unique signatures for any code address:

Action: Unique signature
Location: Current cursor position
Result: E8 ? ? ? ? 48 89 C3 48 85 C0

Use Cases:

• Function identification across samples
• Code pattern matching
• Malware family detection
• Vulnerability signature creation

🔗 XREF Signature Analysis

Find and rank signatures from cross-references:

Action: XREF signatures
Target: Variable or function address
Result: Top 5 shortest signatures ranked by quality

Benefits:

• Discover alternative signature points
• Find more stable signatures
• Analyze calling patterns
• Reduce false positives

📋 Selection Formatting

Convert selected bytes to various formats:

Action: Copy selection
Selection: Any byte range
Formats: IDA, x64Dbg, C Array, Hex Bytes

🔍 Pattern Search

Search for patterns with automatic format detection:

Action: Pattern search
Input: Any signature format
Result: All matching locations

Supported Formats:

• E8 ? ? ? ? 45 (IDA style)
• E8 ?? ?? ?? ?? 45 (x64Dbg style)
• \xE8\x00\x00\x00\x00\x45 x????x (C array + mask)
• 0xE8, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x45 0b111110 (Hex + bitmask)

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📖 Output Formats

IDA Format

E8 ? ? ? ? 48 89 C3 48 85 C0 74 1A

• Single ? for wildcards
• Space-separated hex bytes
• Direct paste into IDA

x64Dbg Format

E8 ?? ?? ?? ?? 48 89 C3 48 85 C0 74 1A

• Double ?? for wildcards
• Compatible with x64Dbg, Cheat Engine
• Standard debugger format

C Array + Mask

\xE8\x00\x00\x00\x00\x48\x89\xC3\x48\x85\xC0\x74\x1A x????xxxxxxx

• C-style byte array
• String mask (x = match, ? = wildcard)
• Perfect for custom tools