Threadtear – Multifunctional java deobfuscation tool suite
Threadtear is a multifunctional deobfuscation tool for java. Suitable for easier code analysis without worrying too much about obfuscation. Even the most expensive obfuscators like ZKM or Stringer are included. It also contains older deobfuscation tools from my GitHub account.
Executions
An “execution” is a task that is executed and modifies all loaded class files. There are multiple types of executions, varying from bytecode cleanup to string deobfuscation. Make sure to have them in the right order. Cleanup executions, for example, should be executed at last.
Warning
Use this tool at your own risk. Some executions use implemented ClassLoaders to run code from the jar file, an attacker could tweak the file so that malicious code would be executed. Affected executions use the class me.nov.threadtear.asm.vm.VM. These are mostly used for decrypting string or resource obfuscation.
How to compile
First, run gradle build, then gradle fatJar. In builds/libs a runnable jar file should then have been created.
Make your own execution
You can easily create your own execution task. Just extend me.nov.threadtear.execution.Execution:
public class MyExecution extends Execution {
public MyExecution() {
super(ExecutionCategory.CLEANING /* category */, "My execution" /* name */,
"Executes something" /* description, can use html */);
}
/**
* This method is invoked when the user clicks on the Run button
* @return true if success, false if failure
*/
@Override
public boolean execute(ArrayList<Clazz> classes, boolean verbose) {
classes.stream().map(c -> c.node).forEach(c -> {
//transform the classes here using the tree-API of ASM
});
return false;
}
}
To load ClassNodes at runtime, use the me.nov.threadtear.asm.vm.VM class and implement me.nov.threadtear.asm.vm.IVMReferenceHandler:
public class MyExecution extends Execution implements IVMReferenceHandler {
public MyExecution() {
super(ExecutionCategory.GENERIC, "My execution", "Loads ClassNodes at runtime");
}
@Override
public boolean execute(ArrayList<Clazz> classes, boolean verbose) {
classes.stream().map(c -> c.node).forEach(c -> {
VM vm = VM.constructVM(this);
//transform bytecode to java.lang.Class
Class<?> loadedClass = vm.loadClass(c.name.replace('/', '.'), true);
//do stuff with your class here
loadedClass.getMethods[0].invoke(...);
return true;
});
}
/**
* Will get invoked by VM, when VM.loadClass is called
*/
@Override
public ClassNode tryClassLoad(String name) {
//try to find the class to be loaded in open jar archive
return classes.stream().map(c -> c.node).filter(c -> c.name.equals(name)).findFirst().orElse(null);
}
}
Using the ConstantTracker (me.nov.threadtear.analysis.stack.ConstantTracker) you can analyze methods and keep track of non-variable stack values. If for example iconst_0 is pushed to the stack, the value itself isn’t lost like in the basic ASM analyzer, and you can use it to predict things later on in the code.
public class MyExecution extends Execution implements IConstantReferenceHandler {
public MyExecution() {
super(ExecutionCategory.GENERIC, "My execution", "Performs stack analysis and replaces code.");
}
@Override
public boolean execute(ArrayList<Clazz> classes, boolean verbose) {
classes.stream().map(c -> c.node).forEach(this::analyzeAndRewrite);
return true;
}
public void analyzeAndRewrite(ClassNode cn) {
cn.methods.forEach(m -> {
// this analyzer keeps known stack values, e.g. can be useful for jump prediction
Analyzer<ConstantValue> a = new Analyzer<ConstantValue>(new ConstantTracker(this, Access.isStatic(m.access), m.maxLocals, m.desc, new Object[0]));
try {
a.analyze(cn.name, m);
} catch (AnalyzerException e) {
logger.severe("Failed stack analysis in " + cn.name + "." + m.name + ":" + e.getMessage());
return;
}
Frame<ConstantValue>[] frames = a.getFrames();
InsnList rewrittenCode = new InsnList();
Map<LabelNode, LabelNode> labels = Instructions.cloneLabels(m.instructions);
// rewrite method instructions
for (int i = 0; i < m.instructions.size(); i++) {
AbstractInsnNode ain = m.instructions.get(i);
Frame<ConstantValue> frame = frames[i];
// replace / modify instructions, etc...
if (frame.getStackSize() > 0) {
ConstantValue top = frame.getStack(frame.getStackSize() - 1);
if (top.isKnown() && top.isInteger()) {
int knownTopStackValue = top.getInteger();
// use the known stack to remove jumps, simplify code, etc...
// if(...) { rewrittenCode.add(...); }
continue;
}
}
rewrittenCode.add(ain.clone(labels));
}
// set instructions and fix try catch blocks
m.instructions = rewrittenCode;
m.tryCatchBlocks.forEach(tcb -> {
tcb.start = labels.get(tcb.start);
tcb.end = labels.get(tcb.end);
tcb.handler = labels.get(tcb.handler);
});
});
}
/**
* Use this method to predict stack values if fields are loaded
*/
@Override
public Object getFieldValueOrNull(BasicValue v, String owner, String name, String desc) {
return null;
}
/**
* Use this method to predict stack values if methods are invoked on known objects
*/
@Override
public Object getMethodReturnOrNull(BasicValue v, String owner, String name, String desc, List<? extends ConstantValue> values) {
if (name.equals("toCharArray") && owner.equals("java/lang/String")) {
if (!values.get(0).isKnown()) {
// invocation target is not known, we can't compute the return
return null;
}
return ((String) values.get(0).getValue()).toCharArray();
}
return null;
}
}
Don’t forget to add your execution to the tree in me.nov.threadtear.swing.component.dialog.ExecutionSelection!
Tips & Tricks
There are some tricks that can help you identify and deobfuscate jar files successfully.
Deobfuscation order
The best order for deobfuscation is generic executions > access deobfuscation > string deobfuscation > cleaning executions.
Identification
Obfuscators exhibit patterns that you can use to identify obfuscators. The easiest way to identify an obfuscator is to skim the META-INF/MANIFEST.MF file. It’s possible that there is an Obfuscated-By: XXX or Protected-By: XXX attribute.
ZKM
Extremely (flow-) obfuscated code, often noticeable by a string decryption method in the static initializer containing switches, or string decryption methods with a very long switch block (about 250 cases). ZKM is one of the best obfuscators for java, and also very expensive.
Stringer
If your jar file contains some special classes with huge decryption algorithms that are used by string obfuscation and access obfuscation, it’s probably Stringer. If your file was obfuscated with multiple obfuscators, and Stringer is one of them, you should begin your deobfuscation with Stringer, as Stringer obfuscation cannot be overwritten. Stringer also is very protecting and one of the most expensive obfuscators. Unlike normal obfuscators it does not come with the name obfuscation. It is rather used as a “second layer”. Probably 90% of people that use this obfuscator are using a crack.
Allatori
Class names like IiIlIlIiIl or aUx, cOn, PrX indicate Allatori obfuscation. Allatori is very common because it offers a free demo that accessible within a few clicks. The obfuscation is not that hard to reverse.
Other obfuscators
For other obfuscators you can try generic executions or open an issue and I’ll see what i can do.
Libraries needed
commons-io 2.6, darklaf-1.3.3.4, asm-all 8+
License
Threadtear is licensed under the GNU General Public License 3.0
Notice
Do not deobfuscate any file that doesn’t belong to you.
Please open an issue or send me an email if a transformer doesn’t work properly and attach the log.
Note that output files are most likely not runnable. If you still want to try to run them use -noverify as JVM argument!
This tool is intended for Java 8 but it will probably run on higher versions too. Note that not everything written in this README is implemented yet.
