Software Reverse Engineering as a Sensemaking Task

Authors

Adam Bryant, Air Force Institute of Technology
Robert F. Mills, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Gilbert L. Peterson, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Michael R. Grimaila, Air Force Institute of Technology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

Software reverse engineering involves analyzing computer program executables to understand their structure, functionality, and behavior. In this paper, common reverse engineering functions are decomposed to isolate the information-processing and sensemaking subtasks involved. This paper reviews the applicable literature on eliciting mental models of software reverse engineers. Based on the literature, a taxonomy of common processes is developed which leads to a methodology to elicit and represent reverse engineers’ mental models of the tasks.

Comments

The published version of record appears in volume 6 of Journal of Information Assurance and Security (ISSN 1554-1010).

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Source Publication

Journal of Information Assurance and Security

Recommended Citation

Bryant, A., Mills, R. F., Peterson, G. L., & Grimaila, M. R. (2011). Software Reverse Engineering as a Sensemaking Task. Journal of Information Assurance and Security, 6(6), 483–494.