How to Detect Fileless Malware with Modern Security Tools

Increased usage of fileless malware globally has caused companies across the globe to be concerned about an increased use of this type of malware by cybercriminals instead of traditional signature-based methods for committing a crime.

A recent study by CyberSource indicates that the incidence of fileless malware has increased nearly 900% worldwide, making this form of cyberattack one of the fastest-growing types of cybercrime worldwide.

With a rapidly growing number of fileless malware attacks and cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated, this presents a major challenge for organizations that want to protect sensitive business information, customer data, and the continuity of their operations.

As companies across the UAE rapidly digitize their operations, understanding this threat and knowing how to detect it has become essential.

What is Fileless Malware?

Fileless malware is a form of malicious activity that does not rely on physical files stored on a device. Instead, it exploits legitimate system tools and trusted applications already present in the operating system. This makes it extremely difficult for traditional antivirus programs to detect, as there is no executable file to scan or quarantine.

A common example of fileless malware involves the use of PowerShell or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to launch a malicious command directly in memory. Attackers exploit weaknesses in normal computer processes. They inject malicious code into the Windows Registry. When victims click on a phishing link, the malware can write and execute malicious code via the trusted Windows process without leaving the usual digital footprints.

Over the past decade, several well-known examples of fileless attacks have occurred, such as the Poweliks attack and the Duqu 2.0 attack, which demonstrate how effective these techniques can be at bypassing standard security controls. Cybersecurity researchers frequently cite Frodo, Number of the Beast, The Dark Avenger, Poweliks, and Duqu 2.0 as examples of fileless malware because they exemplify new levels of sophistication and stealth of evolving cyber threats; therefore, these examples should be of particular interest to individual and business users.

Another point of importance is that, since fileless malware does not leave behind a traditional virus file as a means for a company to identify and eliminate it, businesses must rely on behaviorally based protection services to protect their systems against fileless malware, rather than using traditional antivirus protection.

Fileless Malware Detection Methods

Use Behavioural Analysis

Examples of behavioural analysis include several activities that security vendors use to identify suspicious activities that are not based solely on signature scanning, as is done by antivirus solutions. Some examples of activity that behavioural analysis can detect include monitoring how processes behave, monitoring for abnormal command activity, monitoring for strange parent-child process relationships, and monitoring for abnormal application behaviour. For instance, if Microsoft Word suddenly launches a PowerShell script at an odd hour, behavioural analysis tools can flag such behaviour instantly.

Memory forensics and volatile memory scanning

Fileless malware is typically executed in RAM, which makes memory forensics essential for detection. Using volatile memory scanning, investigators and automated tools can examine active processes, hidden injected code, unlinked drivers, and other anomalies that indicate malicious activity.

Script analysis and command-line monitoring

Most fileless attacks rely heavily on scripting languages such as PowerShell, JavaScript, or VBScript. Comprehensive script logging and monitoring help security teams identify encoded commands, obfuscated code segments, suspicious execution patterns, or unauthorised administrative actions.

EDR tool capabilities

Modern EDR solutions are designed specifically to detect fileless threats. They record endpoint activities, correlate behavioural patterns, track network connections, and provide automated responses. EDR tools are one of the most reliable defences against today’s memory-based attacks.

Anomaly detection using AI/ML

Artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems analyse massive amounts of endpoint and network data to establish what “normal” looks like within an organisation. Any activity that deviates from this baseline, especially small or subtle indicators often missed by humans, can be flagged in real time. This capability is particularly useful when detecting previously unknown or evolving fileless malware.

Best Modern Security Tools for Detecting Fileless Malware

As businesses look for the most effective defense, many are turning to cyber security companies in Dubai that specialize in modern detection frameworks suited for these advanced threats.

Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) platforms

EDR tools are technology’s front line in battling memory-only threats. They continuously monitor endpoint activity, track suspicious commands, observe behavioural anomalies, and provide rapid containment features. These platforms form the foundation of proactive cybersecurity strategies.

XDR systems

The best XDR solutions expand visibility beyond the endpoint to include email, cloud environments, network traffic, and identity systems. Because fileless malware often moves across multiple layers of the IT environment, XDR systems provide a broader context that helps uncover multi-stage attack chains.

Threat hunting tools

These platforms support manual and automated threat hunting, enabling security teams to proactively search for hidden threats. By combining logs, memory snapshots, and event correlations, threat hunters can spot fileless infections before they escalate.

SIEM integrations

Security Information and Event Management tools collect logs from servers, applications, cloud platforms, and network appliances. When paired with behavioural and anomaly-based analytics, SIEM platforms can uncover suspicious sequences that point to fileless intrusion attempts.

Real-time monitoring and telemetry-based tools

Real-time telemetry provides continuous insight into endpoint and network events. These tools are particularly helpful in detecting lateral movement, unauthorised registry manipulation, or remote command execution, which are some key signs of fileless attacks.

Conclusion

Fileless malware represents one of today’s most complex cyber threats, capable of bypassing traditional defences and hiding inside legitimate system processes. For organisations to properly identify these types of security incidents, they need to perform many different actions (e.g., behaviour analysis, programming techniques) as well as use today’s more sophisticated detection technologies, such as EDR, XDR, and SIEM tools.

Organisations will benefit greatly from working with professional security consultants or companies that specialize in modern detection capabilities to build better security postures. Cloudlink IT Solutions remains committed to helping organisations build resilient defences, safeguard operations, and face the digital future with confidence.