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detect-it-easy

3.20 open-source

The detect-it-easy analyzer identifies executable and file formats on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Summary

detect-it-easy is an open-source desktop application for identifying file types, packers, and compilers inside executables, built around signature-based and heuristic analysis rather than simple magic-byte matching. It runs as a standalone GUIGUIA graphical user interface, controls such as windows, buttons and menus. It lets people use software visually rather than entering commands. on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with a separate API library for developers who want to embed its detection engine in their own tooling. Its README pitches it to malware analysts, reverse engineers, and digital forensics practitioners who need to know what they're looking at before deciding how to unpack or disassemble it. The heuristic engine goes beyond signature matches by flagging unusual instruction sequences, proxy jumps, and self-modifying stubs typical of packers and protectors, and its detection rules are written as editable scripts rather than a fixed database, so analysts can extend coverage themselves. With 65 contributors and over 1,400 commits in the past year, it is under active development.

The detect-it-easy analyzer identifies executable and file formats on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

How detect-it-easy helps

What is this file actually built with, regardless of what its extension claims?

scans the binary against its signature database and reports the real format, compiler, or packer identified inside, rather than trusting the file name or icon

Is this executable packed or obfuscated to hide its real payload?

runs signature and heuristic checks together and flags packer or protector signatures, naming the specific packer where one is matched

What is unusual about this PE file even when no signature matches it?

the heuristic engine inspects the file's structure for traits that deviate from normal, well-formed executables and reports what looks abnormal and why it merits closer review

Which detection rule identified this particular file, and can I adjust it myself?

every match is tied to a specific script in the signature set, which is plain text and can be opened, edited, or extended when it misidentifies or misses something

Does this sample use tricks meant to defeat identification tools like this one?

includes countermeasures against files crafted with false signatures, so a sample built to trick a scanner is still reported accurately

all 16 features, with the evidence for each →

Languages

Not documented

Features

16 capabilities

Built from detect-it-easy's releases, docs, README and our own runs. “Seen” marks the month we first spotted a release the vendor didn't date. Group names and tags are our labels.

Compare with peers →

What detect-it-easy offers you

  • Plugin API support1
  • Plugin system1
All capabilities 16 capabilities
Signature Database Updates shipped Continuously adds and reorganises named signatures (such as toxicmouse7 and NetPacker) in the detection database to keep identification current. 6 releases · 9 other sources · first seen Mar 2006

release

docs 9 total

  • 1,462 workflow runs 1,462 workflow runs #273: 8a9ab41 1m 38s 1m 38s #2776: 8a9ab41 15s 15s #1110: 8a9ab41 add references to ELF signatures #2775: f58c373 add references to ELF signatures #272: f58c373 1m 50s 1m 50s add references to ELF signatures #1074: f58c373 34s 34s add references to ELF signatures #1109: f58c373… docs update · Oct 2026 · source
  • Branches Tags Open more actions menu 5,718 Commits 5,718 Commits Folders and files Name Name Last commit message Last commit date .github .github autotools autotools db db db_custom db_custom db_extra db_extra dbs_min dbs_min dbs_special dbs_special docker docker docs docs help help peid_rules/ PE peid_rules/ PE… docs update · Oct 2026 · source
  • Commits on Oct 10, 2026 add more checks to GS60 protector add x64 check to theArk signature ef24d27 Commits on Oct 9, 2026 Detect HVMRun64.dll as DNGuard Show description for d5b71f7 d5b71f7 c9d6798 add more checks to Packer64 signature ee21622 improve TriProt cryptor detection 031c857 improve PolyEngine signature… docs update · Oct 2026 · source
  • 1,397 workflow runs 1,397 workflow runs fix: correct pattern matching and offsets in file format signatures #1093: 9dfab10 15s 15s fix: correct pattern matching and offsets in file format signatures #2759: 9dfab10 fix: correct pattern matching and offsets in file format signatures #1060: 9dfab10 46s 46s fix: correct… seen Oct 2026 · source
  • 1,377 workflow runs 1,377 workflow runs Fix deb package name (#424) #1088: 8249f3d Fix deb package name (#424) #2754: 8249f3d Fix deb package name (#424) #251: 8249f3d 1m 36s 1m 36s chore: update PE linker signature, zip detection, and db date #250: 94380be 1m 48s 1m 48s chore: update PE linker signature, zip… seen Oct 2026 · source
  • 1,370 workflow runs 1,370 workflow runs chore: update db info date to 2026-10-05 #2752: d9f5d96 26s 26s chore: update db info date to 2026-10-05 #249: d9f5d96 chore: update db info date to 2026-10-05 #1086: d9f5d96 16s 16s chore: update db info date to 2026-10-05 #1054: d9f5d96 39s 39s #248: 11cb5cb 15m 5s 15m 5s… docs update · Oct 2026 · source
Generic Heuristic Analysis shipped Analyzes file properties beyond simple signature matching to identify unusual characteristics, proxy jumps, stack tricks, and polymorphic obfuscation. 3 releases · 12 other sources · first seen Apr 2006

release

  • Adds [+] New "extra" database for not basic detections to detect more obscure or advanced artifacts. 3.10 · Nov 2024 · source · release history
  • Added a Check function—identifies compressed sections (Sections tab, “?” column; X indicates a compressed section) 0.60 · Dec 2006 · source · release history
  • [+] Added section analysis (Sections tab) 0.5 · Apr 2006 · source · release history

docs 11 total

  • 1,412 workflow runs 1,412 workflow runs Keep stack and rewritten-byte proofs consistent across pushes #1097: 19s 19s Keep stack and rewritten-byte proofs consistent across pushes #2763: Keep stack and rewritten-byte proofs consistent across pushes #260: 1m 19s 1m 19s Keep stack and rewritten-byte proofs consistent… seen Oct 2026 · source
  • 1,381 workflow runs 1,381 workflow runs Add PE64shell marker to heuristic scan #1089: 066fff9 Add PE64shell marker to heuristic scan #2755: 066fff9 15s 15s Add PE64shell marker to heuristic scan #252: 066fff9 Add PE64shell marker to heuristic scan #1056: 066fff9 39s 39s Fix deb package name (#424) #1088: 8249f3d Fix… seen Oct 2026 · source
  • - Instead of merely calling a file broken, DiE points to the affected structures—useful when deciding whether a sample is original, damaged, dumped from memory, or only partially reconstructed. seen Sep 2026 · source
  • 5,220 Commits 5,220 Commits . It is deliberately lightweight rather than a sandbox or full CPU emulator, but it is enough to expose unusual instruction sequences, proxy jumps, stack tricks, NOP padding, hidden TLS entry points, self-modifying stubs, and polymorphic obfuscation used by packers and protectors. seen Sep 2026 · source
  • 301 lines (207 loc) · 29.2 KB 301 lines (207 loc) · 29.2 KB . It is deliberately lightweight rather than a sandbox or full CPU emulator, but it is enough to expose unusual instruction sequences, proxy jumps, stack tricks, NOP padding, hidden TLS entry points, self-modifying stubs, and polymorphic obfuscation used by… seen Sep 2026 · source
  • 948 5,121 Commits 5,121 Commits CODE-FORMATTING.md CODE-FORMATTING.md Heuristic engine PE analysis that goes beyond a signature match A signature can tell you what a file resembles. The Generic Heuristic Analysis engine goes further: it tries to explain what is unusual about the file and why it deserves a closer look. docs update · Aug 2026 · source

example

  • Identify compressed sections using the new Check function in the Sections tab. Look for 'X' indicators in the “?” column of the “Sections” tab to denote compressed sections. 0.60 · Dec 2006 · source
Platform-Specific Detection Rules shipped Detects specific file formats and protectors for Nintendo, NVIDIA DLSS, NetEase anti-cheat, BatchToApp, and Nuitka Python versions. 1 release · 9 other sources · first seen Dec 2006

release

docs 9 total

  • 1,443 workflow runs 1,443 workflow runs add more checks to GS60 protector #1070: add more checks to GS60 protector #2771: add more checks to GS60 protector #1105: add more checks to GS60 protector #268: 1m 30s 1m 30s add more checks to GS60 protector #2770: 40b9ad5 add more checks to GS60 protector #1104: 40b9ad5 add… docs update · Oct 2026 · source
  • 1,431 workflow runs 1,431 workflow runs Detect HVMRun64.dll as DNGuard #1067: d5b71f7 Detect HVMRun64.dll as DNGuard #265: d5b71f7 1m 15s 1m 15s Detect HVMRun64.dll as DNGuard #1102: d5b71f7 Detect HVMRun64.dll as DNGuard #2768: d5b71f7 #1101: c9d6798 #2767: c9d6798 16s 16s #264: c9d6798 1m 20s 1m 20s add more checks… docs update · Oct 2026 · source
  • 710 workflow runs 710 workflow runs rename NetEase signature filename #2578: BJNFNE rename NetEase signature filename #75: BJNFNE 1m 44s 1m 44s rename NetEase signature filename #912: BJNFNE rename NetEase signature filename #916: BJNFNE Update anti_cheat_NetEase.4.sg #911: ecc8c23 Update anti_cheat_NetEase.4.sg #915:… seen Sep 2026 · source
  • horsicq / Detect-It-Easy Public Please reload this page . Notifications Fork 949 Star Format JavaScript Files chore: update NVIDIA DLSS detection rules and metadata #827 Sign in to view logs Sign in to view logs Workflow file for this run .github/workflows/format-js.yml at 2f24489 name: Format JavaScript Files on:… seen Aug 2026 · source
  • horsicq / Detect-It-Easy Public Please reload this page . Notifications Fork 949 Star CI chore: update NVIDIA DLSS detection rules and metadata #2461 Sign in to view logs Sign in to view logs Triggered via push August 31, 2026 17:57 horsicq pushed 2f24489 master Status Success Total duration 16s Artifacts –… seen Aug 2026 · source
  • horsicq / Detect-It-Easy Public Please reload this page . Notifications Fork 949 Star Format JavaScript Files chore: update NVIDIA DLSS detection rules and metadata #827 Sign in to view logs Sign in to view logs Triggered via push August 31, 2026 17:57 horsicq pushed 2f24489 master Status Success Total duration 57s… seen Aug 2026 · source
PDF Encryption Analysis shipped Identifies and refines detection of PDF encryption options within files. 7 releases · 3 other sources · first seen Mar 2006

release 7 total

  • Introduces the new File Info module with expanded metadata extraction capabilities 3.04 · Feb 2022 · source · release history
  • Adds isExportPresent(), isTLSPresent(), isImportPresent(), isResourcePresent(), isExportFunctionPresent(QString), and isExportFunctionPresentExp(QString) script functions 2.01 · Nov 2018 · source · release history
  • Adds a Goto button in the Hex Viewer UI for navigation. 0.57 · May 2006 · source · release history
  • Adds data copying capability from the Hex Viewer. 0.57 · May 2006 · source · release history
  • Enables double-clicking to open the Hex Viewer. 0.51 · Apr 2006 · source · release history
  • [+] Added Hex Viewer 0.5 · Apr 2006 · source · release history

docs

  • 944 11.4k #714: a139ff7 #2378: a139ff7 Refine PDF encryption option assembly #713: 17e49a3 Refine PDF encryption option assembly #2377: 17e49a3 Refine PDF encryption option assembly #768: 17e49a3 37s 37s chore: update .gitattributes to prevent CRLF/LF diff issues #712: f586221 chore: update .gitattributes to prevent… seen Aug 2026 · source

example

  • Automate analysis by checking if a binary contains TLS resources using the new script API. if (isTLSPresent()) { print("Has TLS"); } 2.01 · Nov 2018 · source
  • Jump to a specific offset while inspecting binary data. Use the new Goto button in the Hex Viewer UI 0.57 · May 2006 · source
Plugin Extension System shipped Supports third-party plugins via C++ and the PDK interface to extend functionality. 6 releases · 2 other sources · first seen Apr 2006

Also counts toward: Plugin API support, Plugin system

release

example

  • Extract file metadata in a structured format for automation. die_console.exe --json <target_file> 2.05 · Oct 2019 · source
  • Ensure plugin configurations persist across restarts without manual export. Modify a setting; verify it remains after closing and reopening the tool. 0.57 · May 2006 · source
Platform-Specific Binary Support shipped Detects and analyzes specific executable formats including Mach-O, APK/DEX, and Windows PE files across various architectures. 4 releases · first seen Jun 2021

release

  • Adds [+] APK/DEX/NPM/Amiga support extending the tool's analysis capabilities to these specific file formats. 3.10 · Nov 2024 · source · release history
  • Adds MACHOFAT detection support 3.05 · Jun 2022 · source · release history
  • Adds All types detection mode to identify any supported filetype without filtering 3.04 · Feb 2022 · source · release history
  • New MachO widget added to the GUI. 3.02 · Jun 2021 · source · release history
Platform-Specific Distribution Bundles shipped Provides pre-compiled binary bundles for specific Linux distributions and versions including Ubuntu, Kali Linux, and Parrot Linux. 3 releases · first seen Jan 2023

release

Manual Disassembly shipped Allows manual disassembly of individual file sections within the cyber tooling. 3 releases · first seen Feb 2007

release

  • Adds a built-in Disassembler engine supporting x86, ARM, MIPS, PPC, and M68K architectures 3.01 · Nov 2020 · source · release history
  • Integrates a new HEX editor directly in the GUI for low-level file inspection 3.01 · Nov 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds the Disassemble function allowing manual disassembly of individual file sections 0.63 · Feb 2007 · source · release history
Platform-Specific Payload Detection shipped Detects specific file formats and executable types including APK/DEX for Android, MIME types for generic content analysis, and x64 Windows binaries. 3 releases · first seen Nov 2020

release

  • Adds an x64 version for Windows. 3.01 · Nov 2020 · source · release history
  • New capability: MIME detection to identify file types via content analysis 3.01 · Nov 2020 · source · release history
  • New capability: APK/DEX detection for analyzing Android application packages and classes 3.01 · Nov 2020 · source · release history
Entry Point Emulation shipped Emulates the entry point to expose unusual instruction sequences, self-modifying stubs, and Base64 payloads hidden within packed sections. 1 release · 2 other sources · first seen Aug 2006

release

  • Adds a Goto button in the DisAsm tab for direct navigation 0.59 · Aug 2006 · source · release history

docs

  • 726 workflow runs 726 workflow runs Inspect packed entry-point sections for Base64 payloads #920: 2a7897d 34s 34s Inspect packed entry-point sections for Base64 payloads #916: 2a7897d 20s 20s Inspect packed entry-point sections for Base64 payloads #2582: 2a7897d Inspect packed entry-point sections for Base64 payloads… seen Sep 2026 · source
  • 495 workflow runs 495 workflow runs Document EP emulation state transitions Update DB #2521: Document EP emulation state transitions #872: 32s 32s Document EP emulation state transitions #855: Document EP emulation state transitions Build Beta #18: 1m 5s 1m 5s Document polymorphic heuristic coverage #854: dbe7be4… seen Sep 2026 · source
Binary Identifier Updates shipped Updates detection capabilities for specific compilers and packers including Borland Delphi, Visual C++, EXECryptor, Molebox, Obsidium, FSG, and NetEase anti-cheat. 3 releases · first seen Mar 2006

release

  • Adds Delphi version detection to the binary identification capabilities. 0.57 · May 2006 · source · release history
  • Improves detection accuracy for Borland Delphi binaries 0.3b · Mar 2006 · source · release history
  • Adds cautious detection mode for identifying binaries compiled with Microsoft Visual C++ 0.3b · Mar 2006 · source · release history
Recursive Directory Scanning shipped Scans directories and their subdirectories for files using the tool's detection capabilities. 2 releases · first seen Feb 2022

release

  • Adds BufferSize configuration option to control scan buffer size 3.20 · Apr 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds --recursive (or recursive UI mode) to scan directories and subdirectories 3.04 · Feb 2022 · source · release history
PE Metadata Inspection shipped Inspects Portable Executable metadata fields — including certificate tables and PDB debug records — to support detection and classification of PE files. 1 release · 1 other source · first seen Feb 2007

release

  • Adds additional static checks for PE file validity during analysis 0.63 · Feb 2007 · source · release history

docs

  • 1,389 workflow runs 1,389 workflow runs Guard PE certificate table lookup #254: ad9aaf6 18m 47s 18m 47s Guard PE certificate table lookup #1091: ad9aaf6 Guard PE certificate table lookup #2757: ad9aaf6 Guard PE certificate table lookup #1058: ad9aaf6 29s 29s Recognize UNC paths in PDB debug records #1057: b48a5eb… seen Oct 2026 · source
PE Identification Scanning shipped Scans Portable Executable files using the PEiD method with an improved heuristic module for identification. 1 release · first seen Apr 2026

release

  • Introduces PEiD scanning method with improved heuristic module for PE files 3.20 · Apr 2026 · source · release history
Heuristic Detection Updates shipped Adds or updates modules related to heuristic analysis capabilities. 1 release · first seen Dec 2023

release

Multi-Architecture Disassembly Support shipped Expands the built-in disassembler engine to support x86, ARM, MIPS, PPC, and M68K architectures beyond standard x86 analysis. 1 release · first seen Nov 2020

release

  • Adds a built-in Disassembler engine supporting x86, ARM, MIPS, PPC, and M68K architectures 3.01 · Nov 2020 · source · release history

Lines in monospace are the tool's own words: help text parsed from its source, or an endpoint from its API document. Under release, a line is our summary of a dated release. Under docs, it is quoted from the tool's own documentation or website. Each links back to the source it came from.

Screenshots

From the release notes, newest first. Click one to see it full size.

docs update Oct 10, 2026

docs update Aug 31, 2026

Score card

  1. Shipping velocity releases a month, last 12 months
  2. Documentation quality release-notes rubric, 0–100
  3. Breaking-change discipline how rarely a release breaks users, and notice given
  4. Maintenance risk quiet time against its own cadence, maintainers
  5. Innovation & surface new capabilities, API and MCP surface
  6. Community health
  7. Contributor trend distinct committers, this year against last
  8. Maintainer concentration bus factor now against a year ago
  9. Issue backlog trend issues closed per issue opened, 12 months
  10. Responsiveness median time to a maintainer’s first reply

Nine scores for detect-it-easy, each built from the releases, notes and API history this site tracks — and, on Researcher and Business, where it stands among every measured tool in its category and how that has moved.

Score cards are part of every paid plan.

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Each score is 0–100 on a published rubric, derived from data this site already shows. A dimension we cannot measure says so — it is never scored 0 and never enters a rank.

How this is scored
  • Shipping velocity — releases a month over the last 12 months, on a log scale where 16 a month scores 100. Needs 3 releases in the window.
  • Documentation quality — the release-notes rubric published on the analytics page, unchanged.
  • Breaking-change discipline — the share of releases carrying a breaking change (none scores 100, half or more scores 0). Only projects that label breaking changes are measured: a clean record cannot be told from an unlabelled one.
  • Maintenance risk — quiet time measured against the tool's own release cadence (quiet longer than 90 days and three typical gaps scores 0), plus the number of active maintainers and whether contributors are growing, where known. Higher is lower risk.
  • Innovation & surface — new capabilities in the feature ledger this year, API and MCP operations added, and the share of commits that are features: the mean of whichever we hold.
  • Community health (open-source tools only) — each is a direction, not a size: contributors this year against last, the bus factor now against a year ago, and issues closed per issue opened, where steady scores 50, doubled 100 and halved 0; plus the median time to a maintainer's first reply (an hour scores about 100, a month or more 0). A commercial card has no repository and carries none of the four.
  • Documented delivery (commercial tools) — when a vendor's documented new capabilities have slowed against its own baseline, that counts against the overall standing as heavily as two low dimensions. Steady delivery, or too little history to judge, leaves the standing alone; it is never a sixth score.
  • Open-source tools are scored on repository signals; commercial tools on their published changelog. Ranks compare tools within one category and one profile and need at least five measured peers; the overall standing needs three ranked dimensions. Best-in-breed or consolidator is a shape, not a quality, and is never scored.

Release-note detail over time

See how much detail detect-it-easy puts in its release notes, quarter by quarter, and compare it with tracked tools in the same category. This history uses up to ten retained, reviewed notes per tool; sparse or blank older quarters may reflect that limit.

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Coverage

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What detect-it-easy connects to, runs on and detects, read from its release notes and docs. So far: 25 updated detections, 12 new detections, 1 retired detection.

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When

38 changes, tracked since Oct 4, 2026.

  • Oct 112026

    new TinyCC ELF signature

    add TinyCC ELF signature

    Source ↗

  • Oct 112026

    updated TinyCC signature reference (second reference added)

    add secound reference to TinyCC signature

    Source ↗

  • Oct 112026

    new ELF signatures references

    add references to ELF signatures

    Source ↗

  • Oct 102026

    updated GS60 protector detection

    add more checks to GS60 protector

    Source ↗

  • Oct 102026

    updated theArk signature x64 support

    add x64 check to theArk signature

    Source ↗

  • Oct 102026

    new DNGuard detection via HVMRun64.dll

    Detect HVMRun64.dll as DNGuard

    Source ↗

How we count

Read from 8 of 38 release notes and docs updates we hold for detect-it-easy. "First seen" is the earliest note that names something; "last" is the latest. Our history may start partway through detect-it-easy's life, so an old integration can show a recent first-seen date.

Each change counts once: "added 40 checks" is one line, so the numbers measure how often coverage moves, not how big the catalogue is or how well it detects.

Releases

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Coverage in all entries

38 entries

  1. October 20269
  2. September 20261
  3. August 20266
  4. April 20261
  5. November 20241
  6. December 20231
  7. July 20231
  8. January 20231
  9. June 20221
  10. February 20221
  11. November 20211
  12. June 20211
  13. November 20201
  14. October 20191
  15. November 20181
  16. August 20181
  17. February 20071
  18. December 20061
  19. August 20061
  20. May 20061
  21. April 20063
  22. March 20062
    Show
    Coverage in all entries

    38 entries

    Project health

    Issue, contributor and maintainer activity in horsicq/Detect-It-Easy, 2023-10 – 2026-09, as of 2026-09-25. Twelve-month figures first; the trend lines run the whole window.

    1. Contributors 17 ±0 vs prior 12 months
    2. Maintainers 3 +2 joined · −3 left, last 12 months
    3. Bus factor 2 committers behind half the commits
    4. Community-filed 100% of issues opened, last 12 months
    5. Median time to close 94 days first maintainer reply 2 hours
    6. Open backlog 34 of 200 issues ever filed
    1. Issues opened / month 5 · 0 communitymaintainers
    2. Open backlog 34
    3. Contributors / month 3
    4. Commits / month 399
    5. Stars 11,537
    Issue themes, last 12 months
    • bugs 45%
    • questions 3%
    • other 52%

    Counts from the project's public repository and git history; no individuals are identified. Maintainers are the committers covering 80% of the last year's commits. how we measure this

    Libraries its release ships

    What its latest release locks, checked against known advisories.

    We can only check tools that publish GitHub releases.

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