Performing Dynamic Analysis with ANY.RUN

When to Use

• Interactive malware analysis is needed where the analyst must click dialogs, enter credentials, or navigate installer screens
• Rapid cloud-based sandbox analysis without maintaining local sandbox infrastructure
• Malware requires user interaction to proceed past anti-sandbox checks (document macros requiring "Enable Content")
• Sharing analysis results with team members via public or private task URLs
• Comparing behavior across different OS versions (Windows 7, 10, 11) available in ANY.RUN

Do not use for highly sensitive samples that cannot be uploaded to cloud services; use an on-premises sandbox like Cuckoo instead.

Prerequisites

• ANY.RUN account (free community tier or paid subscription at https://any.run)
• Modern web browser with WebSocket support for interactive session streaming
• Sample file ready for upload (max 100 MB for free tier, 256 MB for paid)
• Understanding of the sample type to select appropriate execution environment
• VPN or secure network for accessing ANY.RUN portal during analysis sessions

Workflow

Step 1: Configure Analysis Environment

Set up the ANY.RUN task with appropriate parameters:

ANY.RUN Task Configuration:
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OS Selection:        Windows 10 x64 (recommended default)
                     Windows 7 x64 (for legacy malware)
                     Windows 11 x64 (for modern samples)
Execution Time:      60 seconds (default) / 120-300 for slow-acting malware
Network:             Connected (captures real C2 traffic)
                     Residential Proxy (bypasses geo-blocking)
Privacy:             Public (free tier) / Private (paid - not indexed)
MITM Proxy:          Enable for HTTPS traffic decryption
Fake Net:            Enable to simulate internet services if sample checks connectivity

API-based submission (paid tier):

# Submit file via ANY.RUN API
curl -X POST "https://api.any.run/v1/analysis" \
  -H "Authorization: API-Key $ANYRUN_API_KEY" \
  -F "file=@suspect.exe" \
  -F "env_os=windows" \
  -F "env_version=10" \
  -F "env_bitness=64" \
  -F "opt_timeout=120" \
  -F "opt_network_connect=true" \
  -F "opt_privacy_type=bylink"

# Check task status
curl "https://api.any.run/v1/analysis/$TASK_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: API-Key $ANYRUN_API_KEY" | jq '.data.status'

Step 2: Interact with Malware During Execution

Use the interactive session to trigger malware behavior:

Interactive Actions During Analysis:
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1. Document Macros:   Click "Enable Content" / "Enable Editing" when prompted
2. Installer Screens: Click through installation dialogs
3. UAC Prompts:       Click "Yes" to allow elevation (observe privilege escalation)
4. Credential Harvests: Enter fake credentials to observe phishing behavior
5. Browser Redirects:  Navigate to URLs if malware opens browser windows
6. File Dialogs:       Select target files if malware presents file picker
7. Timeout Extension:  Extend analysis time if malware has delayed execution

Step 3: Analyze Process Tree

Review the complete process execution chain:

Process Tree Analysis Points:
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Parent-Child Relationships:
  - WINWORD.EXE -> cmd.exe -> powershell.exe (macro execution chain)
  - explorer.exe -> suspect.exe -> svchost.exe (process injection)

Process Events to Note:
  - Process creation with suspicious command-line arguments
  - PowerShell with encoded commands (-enc / -encodedcommand)
  - cmd.exe executing script files (.bat, .vbs, .js)
  - Legitimate processes spawned from unusual parents
  - Process termination (self-deletion behavior)

Step 4: Review Network Activity

Examine DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, and TCP/UDP connections:

ANY.RUN Network Panel Analysis:
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DNS Requests:
  - Domain resolutions with threat intelligence tags
  - Fast-flux or DGA domain patterns
  - DNS over HTTPS (DoH) detection

HTTP/HTTPS Traffic (with MITM enabled):
  - Full request/response bodies for HTTP
  - Decrypted HTTPS traffic showing C2 commands
  - Downloaded payloads and their content types
  - POST data containing exfiltrated information

Connection Map:
  - Geographic visualization of C2 server locations
  - Connection timeline showing beacon patterns
  - Suricata alerts triggered on network traffic

Step 5: Examine IOCs and Threat Intelligence

Extract indicators and map to known threats:

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