GPU Assisted Malware

Malware writers constantly seek new methods to obfuscate

their code so as to evade detection by virus scanners.

Two code-armoring techniques that pose significant challenges

to existing malicious-code detection and analysis

systems are unpacking and run-time polymorphism. In this

paper, we demonstrate how malware can increase its robustness

against detection by taking advantage of the ubiquitous

Graphics Processing Unit. We have designed and

implemented unpacking and run-time polymorphism for a

GPU, and tested them using existing graphics hardware. We

also discuss how upcoming GPU features can be utilized to

build even more robust, evasive, and functional malware.