Navigating the custom VM loop in IDA Pro or Ghidra. Analysts look for the "fetch-decode-execute" cycle to understand how the custom bytecode is processed.
Mandiant usually publishes a PDF with the intended solution path for every challenge. 7xisHeadTrick.zip
A "good" write-up for this challenge typically follows these stages: Navigating the custom VM loop in IDA Pro or Ghidra
Using x64dbg to trace the decryption routines. The challenge often requires "dumping" decrypted buffers from memory for further inspection. A "good" write-up for this challenge typically follows
The binary doesn't execute standard x64 instructions for its main logic. Instead, it uses a custom-built virtual machine with its own bytecode and registers.
The zip contains the executable which, when run, decrypts and executes further stages in memory.
The name likely refers to a specific trick within the binary that manipulates the instruction pointer or stack to hide the true entry point of the malicious payload. Recommended Resources