binary-analysis-patterns

name	binary-analysis-patterns
description	Master binary analysis patterns including disassembly, decompilation, control flow analysis, and code pattern recognition. Use when analyzing executables, understanding compiled code, or performing static analysis on binaries.
version	1.1.0
model	sonnet
invoked_by	["reverse-engineer","security-architect"]
tools	["Read","Write","Edit","Bash","Glob","Grep"]
verified	true
lastVerifiedAt	"2026-02-22T00:00:00.000Z"
source	builtin
trust_score	100
provenance_sha	e85538ff632da926

Binary Analysis Patterns

Security Notice

AUTHORIZED USE ONLY: These skills are for DEFENSIVE security analysis and authorized research:

• Authorized pentesting engagements with written authorization
• CTF competitions and security research
• Defensive security and malware analysis
• Security research with proper disclosure
• Educational purposes in controlled environments

NEVER use for:

• Creating or enhancing malicious code
• Unauthorized access to systems
• Bypassing software licensing illegitimately
• Intellectual property theft
• Any illegal activities

Comprehensive patterns and techniques for analyzing compiled binaries, understanding assembly code, and reconstructing program logic.

Disassembly Fundamentals

x86-64 Instruction Patterns

Function Prologue/Epilogue

; Standard prologue
push rbp           ; Save base pointer
mov rbp, rsp       ; Set up stack frame
sub rsp, 0x20      ; Allocate local variables

; Leaf function (no calls)
; May skip frame pointer setup
sub rsp, 0x18      ; Just allocate locals

; Standard epilogue
mov rsp, rbp       ; Restore stack pointer
pop rbp            ; Restore base pointer
ret

; Leave instruction (equivalent)
leave              ; mov rsp, rbp; pop rbp
ret

Calling Conventions

System V AMD64 (Linux, macOS)

; Arguments: RDI, RSI, RDX, RCX, R8, R9, then stack
; Return: RAX (and RDX for 128-bit)
; Caller-saved: RAX, RCX, RDX, RSI, RDI, R8-R11
; Callee-saved: RBX, RBP, R12-R15

; Example: func(a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
mov rdi, [a]       ; 1st arg
mov rsi, [b]       ; 2nd arg
mov rdx, [c]       ; 3rd arg
mov rcx, [d]       ; 4th arg
mov r8, [e]        ; 5th arg
mov r9, [f]        ; 6th arg
push [g]           ; 7th arg on stack
call func

Microsoft x64 (Windows)

; Arguments: RCX, RDX, R8, R9, then stack
; Shadow space: 32 bytes reserved on stack
; Return: RAX

; Example: func(a, b, c, d, e)
sub rsp, 0x28      ; Shadow space + alignment
mov rcx, [a]       ; 1st arg
mov rdx, [b]       ; 2nd arg
mov r8, [c]        ; 3rd arg
mov r9, [d]        ; 4th arg
mov [rsp+0x20], [e] ; 5th arg on stack
call func
add rsp, 0x28

ARM Assembly Patterns

ARM64 (AArch64) Calling Convention

; Arguments: X0-X7
; Return: X0 (and X1 for 128-bit)
; Frame pointer: X29
; Link register: X30

; Function prologue
stp x29, x30, [sp, #-16]!  ; Save FP and LR
mov x29, sp                 ; Set frame pointer

; Function epilogue
ldp x29, x30, [sp], #16    ; Restore FP and LR
ret