Using knowledge graphs and contrastive learning for detecting APT Malware on Endpoint systems

Abstract

Advanced persistent threat (APT) attacking campaigns have been a common method for cyber-attackers to attack and exploit end-user computers (workstations) in recent years. In this study, to enhance the effectiveness of the APT malware detection, a combination of deep graph networks and contrastive learning is proposed. The idea is that several deep graph networks such as Graph Convolution Networks (GCN), Graph Isomorphism Networks (GIN), are combined with some popular contrastive learning models like N-pair Loss, Contrastive Loss, and Triplet Loss, in order to optimize the process of APT malware detection and classification in endpoint workstations. The proposed approach consists of three main phases as follows. First, the behaviors of APT malware are collected and represented as graphs. Second, GIN and GCN networks are used to extract feature vectors from the graphs of APT malware. Finally, different contrastive learning models, i.e. N-pair Loss, Contrastive Loss, and Triplet Loss are applied to determine which feature vectors belong to APT malware, and which ones belong to normal files. This combination of deep graph networks and contrastive learning algorithm is a novel approach, that not only enhances the ability to accurately detect APT malware but also reduces false alarms for normal behaviors. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model, whose effectiveness ranges from 88% to 94% across all performance metrics, is not only scientifically effective but also practically significant. Additionally, the results show that the combination of GIN and N-pair Loss performs better than other combined models. This provides a base malware detection system with flexible parameter selection and mathematical model choices for optimal real-world applications.