Convert Exe To Shellcode [exclusive] -

Short guide: convert a Windows EXE to position-independent shellcode

Warning: Running or generating shellcode can be dangerous. Only work with binaries you own or have explicit permission to analyze. I provide a high-level, lawful-usage guide and reproducible steps for research, reverse engineering, or red-team testing in controlled environments.

Prerequisites

• Windows PE (EXE) binary you control.
• A Linux or Windows analysis machine with:
  • Python 3
  • pefile (Python library)
  • mingw-w64 (for cross-building, optional)
  • msfvenom (part of Metasploit) — optional helper
  • Donut (https://github.com/TheWover/donut) or sRDI/Reflective DLL loader if using DLLs
  • x64dbg/OllyDbg/IDA/Ghidra for static analysis (recommended)
  • A sandbox/VM to test (e.g., isolated Windows VM, snapshots)

High-level approaches (pick one)

1. Pack EXE into a single-stage shellcode payload that:
   • Allocates memory in target process
   • Writes the EXE bytes
   • Performs manual loading (rebuilds sections, resolves imports, calls entry point)
   • Or drops the EXE to disk and executes it (simple but leaves disk traces)
2. Use a reflective loader (common for DLLs) — convert EXE to DLL or wrap logic into DLL, then use reflective loader shellcode to load it in-memory.
3. Use a tool (Donut / msfvenom) to produce shellcode that executes a PE in-memory (Donut supports EXE/NET/PE).

Step-by-step: Method A — Donut (fast, recommended) convert exe to shellcode

1. Get Donut:
   • git clone https://github.com/TheWover/donut
   • Build per project README to produce donut binary.
2. Generate shellcode:
   • Example for an EXE:
     • donut.exe -f 1 -a 2 -p 1 -o payload.bin myprogram.exe
       • -f 1: shellcode format (native)
       • -a 2: architecture (2 = x64) — match target
       • -p 1: position-independent
       • -o payload.bin: output raw shellcode
     • Adjust args per Donut docs for .NET vs native and options.
3. Test safely:
   • Use a small C loader that allocates memory, copies payload.bin, and calls it. Compile in an isolated VM.
   • Example (x64 Windows loader skeleton — compile with Visual Studio/mingw):

     /* loader.c */
     #include <windows.h>
     extern unsigned char shellcode[];
     int main()
       void *mem = VirtualAlloc(NULL, /*size*/, MEM_COMMIT
     

   • Link shellcode into the loader or load from file at runtime.
4. Verify behavior in sandbox VM and monitor for unwanted actions.

Step-by-step: Method B — Manual packer that drops-and-executes (simpler, less stealthy)

1. Read EXE bytes into your packer program (C/Python).
2. Embed them as a byte array inside a small shellcode stub that:
   • Creates a temporary file via GetTempPath + GetTempFileName.
   • Writes bytes to file (CreateFile/WriteFile).
   • Calls CreateProcess or ShellExecute to run it.
   • Optionally cleans up the file after execution.
3. Convert the stub + embedded bytes into position-independent shellcode:
   • Keep the stub small and avoid absolute addresses.
   • Compile the stub to raw bytes (ensure no relocations or strip symbols).
   • Use a tool to extract the raw code section (objcopy or a custom extractor).
4. Deliver and test in VM.

Step-by-step: Method C — Manual in-memory PE loader (advanced, stealthy)

1. Analyze EXE with pefile/Ghidra to find sections, entry point, import table.
2. Shellcode responsibilities:
   • Call VirtualAlloc to allocate enough RWX memory for the image size.
   • Copy headers and sections into allocated memory at correct virtual addresses or relocate if needed.
   • Apply base relocations when the allocated base differs from the image base.
   • Resolve imports: parse IMAGE_IMPORT_DESCRIPTOR, load dependent DLLs (LoadLibraryA), resolve functions (GetProcAddress), and write addresses into IAT.
   • If TLS callbacks exist, call them.
   • Call the PE entry point (or exported function) with proper calling convention (for EXE, call entry point with HINSTANCE and other args as needed).
3. Implement loader in position-independent assembly or C with syscall/WinAPI usage; compile and produce raw shellcode.
4. Test intensely in a disposable sandbox.

Recommended tooling and snippets

• pefile (Python): parse headers, sections, imports, relocations.
• lief (Python/C++): manipulate PE programmatically.
• Donut: direct EXE → shellcode for many cases.
• msfvenom: generate stagers/shellcode (payloads, bind/reverse shells).
• objdump / r2 / radare2: inspect compiled shellcode bytes.
• sRDI / ReflectiveLoader: for DLL reflective loading.

Safety, testing, and troubleshooting

• Always test inside an isolated VM with no network or with controlled network.
• Use Procmon, x64dbg, and Wireshark to observe behavior.
• If shellcode crashes:
  • Check calling convention and stack alignment.
  • Verify imports/resolutions and relocation application.
  • Ensure memory protections are correct (RWX may be needed temporarily).
• If antivirus flags payloads, try packing/obfuscation or use known loaders (Donut often bypasses some AVs but may still be detected).

Example minimal workflow (practical)

1. Create/simple EXE: myprog.exe
2. Use Donut: donut -f 1 -a 2 -o shell.bin myprog.exe
3. Build small Windows loader that reads shell.bin into memory and executes it.
4. Test in VM.

Further reading (tools to search)

• Donut, msfvenom, pefile, lief, reflective DLL injection, manual PE loader, VirtualAlloc/VirtualProtect, IMAGE_IMPORT_DESCRIPTOR, base relocations (IMAGE_BASE_RELOCATION).

If you want, I can:

• Provide a simple loader C source that loads a raw shellcode file and executes it (specify x86 or x64).
• Show a Python script using pefile to extract imports/sections for a custom loader. Which of those would you like?

1. Using Donut (Recommended Tool)

Donut is the most popular tool for this purpose:

# Basic conversion
donut -f payload.exe -o payload.bin
3. Pe2shc
A lightweight tool specifically designed to convert PE files to shellcode. It focuses on simplicity and smaller output sizes compared to feature-heavy frameworks like Donut. Short guide: convert a Windows EXE to position-independent
Test with loader
python3 loader.py shellcode.bin