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DRAKVUF Sandbox
Warsaw, Poland
What it is
DRAKVUF Sandbox is free, GPLv2 software for automated black-box malware analysis using the DRAKVUF engine. It does not require an agent inside the guest operating system. Through a web interface, users upload suspicious files and inspect reports covering process trees, network and domain activity, changed or deleted files, and high-level TTP indicators. Default plugins monitor WinAPI calls, file operations, memory regions, processes, network connections, DNS queries, and TLS master keys. Available downloads can include PCAP traffic, intercepted TLS keys, and memory dumps. Uploads can disable guest internet access to reduce external contact. The workflow includes a web application, queue, dashboard, and API, with optional S3 storage and an experimental Karton plugin in release v0.21.0. On-premises deployment requires Xen 4.17 or later, with 4.19 recommended, on Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04 Intel hardware with VT-x and EPT, at least two CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, and GRUB. Windows 10 x64 and Windows 7 x64 are supported guests.
For and against
For
- Agentless guest analysis
- Web uploads and report review
- Network, DNS, process, and memory monitoring
- Downloadable PCAP and memory artifacts
- Free GPLv2 software
Against
- Cloud hosting is unsupported
- Hyper-V does not work
- KVM is experimental
- Only 100 recent analyses appear in the view
The verdict
DRAKVUF Sandbox provides detailed, agentless malware analysis for teams able to supply its required Xen and hardware environment. Its on-premises focus and setup demands make it better suited to experienced operators than casual users.
Who it suits
It suits security practitioners who can maintain an on-premises malware-analysis environment and investigate suspicious files. Users should be prepared to debug configuration-dependent issues.
On the record
- Agentless analysis
- The analysis process does not require an agent on the guest operating system.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Analysis interface
- Its web interface lets users upload suspicious files and inspect analysis results to assess whether a file is malicious.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Analysis reports
- Reports include process trees, network and domain activity, modified and deleted files, and high-level TTP indicators.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Analysis workflow
- The documented stack includes a Flask-based web application, an rq-based worker, and Redis for communication between them.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- API
- The documentation describes an API as part of the core workflow, alongside the analysis queue and dashboard.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Artifacts
- Users can download recorded PCAP traffic, intercepted TLS keys, and memory dumps when available.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Behavior monitoring
- Default plugins monitor WinAPI calls, file operations, memory regions, processes, network connections, DNS queries, and TLS master keys.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Cloud limitation
- The documentation says cloud hosting is unsupported because required CPU features are not exposed, and Hyper-V does not work.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Guest systems
- The documentation lists Windows 10 x64 and Windows 7 x64 as supported guest systems.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Host requirements
- The documented host requirements include Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04, an Intel processor with VT-x and EPT, at least two CPU cores and 8 GB RAM, and GRUB.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Hypervisor
- Xen 4.17 or later is required, with version 4.19 recommended; KVM is described as experimental.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project provides an installation toolkit to guide users through setup, and experienced users can customize settings and infrastructure.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Optional integrations include S3 for analysis storage and an experimental Karton integration plugin in release v0.21.0.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project warns that maintaining a sandbox is difficult and advises users to be prepared to debug issues that may depend on their configuration.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The license identifies DRAKVUF Sandbox as free software under GPL version 2 with stated clarifications and exceptions.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maker
- CERT Polska operates within NASK, Poland’s National Research Institute; its website lists an address in Warsaw, Poland, and says the team has been active since 1996.cert.pl · read 9 Oct 2026
- Network isolation
- An upload option can disable internet access for the guest VM to help prevent samples from contacting external servers.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Optional storage
- The documentation lists S3 integration as an optional feature.drakvuf-sandbox.readthedocs.io · read 9 Oct 2026
