Why software breakpoints (0xCC / INT 3) fail against integrity-checked packers:
Packers scan their own .text pages for 0xCC opcode bytes. If found, they crash the process.
Hardware Breakpoints (Debug Registers DR0-DR3):
- Hardware breakpoints are configured directly on the CPU via Debug Registers.
- Zero memory modification in RAM (
0xCCis never written). - Set a hardware execution breakpoint (
Set Hardware Breakpoint on Execution) on the OEP (Original Entry Point) or API call target to catch unpacked payload instantly.