MANAGE: A Novel Malware Evolution Model based on Digital Genes

Malwares have been plaguing individuals, organizations and government agencies for almost 40 years. Evolving over time, these malicious codes have kept pace with the newest advances in defense technology that works to make computer systems and networks more safety. Identifying how malwares have evolved over time helps the computer users protect their information systems from infecting malicious codes and keep their data safe. Inspired by the gene theory, we propose a novel malware evolution model based on digital genes (MANAGE). In the MANAGE, we make a peer-to-peer mapping between malwares and gene theory from simple to complex: program code segments vs Genes, program modules vs DNAs, and program procedures or functions vs Chromosomes. The mathematical models of Malwares evolution in these three levels of Genes, DNAs, and Chromosomes are established in the MANAGE. The experiments of 10000 VBscript malware samples on these three levels are carried on to evaluate the MANAGE model. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that malwares in the MANAGE have powerful ability to adapt themselves to the changing external environments with interactions between Genes DNAs and Chromosomes even in face of harsh external pressure.