Malimite is a free and open-source decompiler designed specifically for iOS and macOS applications. It aims to reconstruct the original Objective-C code from compiled Mach-O binaries, assisting in security research, software analysis, and understanding the inner workings of closed-source apps. Built using Swift, Malimite leverages a custom intermediate representation and features a modular architecture for easy extensibility and improvement. The project is actively under development and welcomes contributions from the community.
Malimite is presented as a novel decompiler specifically designed for iOS and macOS applications, aiming to reconstruct human-readable Swift or Objective-C source code from compiled Mach-O binaries. It distinguishes itself by employing a multi-stage decompilation pipeline, incorporating several key components. First, it utilizes a disassembler, likely based on the popular Capstone disassembly framework, to translate raw machine code instructions into a more structured assembly language representation. This disassembled output then feeds into an intermediate representation (IR) generator, creating a platform-agnostic and analysis-friendly representation of the program's logic. This IR likely resembles a simplified assembly or a higher-level representation like LLVM IR, facilitating further analysis and transformations. The core of Malimite lies in its pattern matching engine, which operates on the IR. This engine seeks to identify common code patterns and idioms generated by the Swift and Objective-C compilers, matching them against a database of known constructs. These recognized patterns are then used to reconstruct higher-level language constructs like classes, methods, and control flow statements. Finally, a code generation stage takes the matched patterns and transforms them back into compilable Swift or Objective-C source code, attempting to reproduce the original source as closely as possible. The project leverages several external libraries, notably Capstone for disassembly, and Tree-sitter for parsing, suggesting it uses Tree-sitter for analyzing the generated source code and potentially aiding in the pattern matching process. Malimite's development is explicitly noted as being in its early stages, with significant work remaining, particularly in enhancing the pattern matching database and improving the accuracy of the generated code. The project is open-source, allowing community contributions and further development. The primary goal of Malimite is to provide a robust and accurate decompilation tool for researchers, security analysts, and developers working with Apple platforms, facilitating reverse engineering, vulnerability analysis, and software understanding.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42829402
HN commenters generally express interest in Malimite's capabilities, particularly its potential for reverse engineering Swift and SwiftUI. Some highlight the difficulty of decompiling Swift and applaud any progress in this area. Others question its effectiveness compared to existing tools like Hopper, mentioning limitations in reconstructing complex control flow and higher-level language constructs. A few raise ethical concerns about the potential for misuse in piracy and intellectual property theft, while others emphasize the importance of such tools for security research and understanding closed-source software. The developer's choice to keep the tool closed-source is also a point of discussion, with some arguing for open-sourcing it to foster community development and scrutiny.
The Hacker News post for "Malimite – iOS and macOS Decompiler" has several comments discussing the project, its potential uses, and its limitations.
Several commenters express excitement about the project, seeing it as a valuable tool for reverse engineering and security research. They highlight the difficulty of decompiling Apple platforms due to their closed nature and the obfuscation techniques employed, praising Malimite for potentially making this process easier. Some specifically mention the benefit of being able to analyze closed-source applications for vulnerabilities or understand their inner workings.
A discussion arises around the legality and ethical implications of decompilation. Some users point out the potential for misuse, such as cracking software or stealing intellectual property. Others argue that decompilation is a crucial tool for security research and that responsible use is key. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is mentioned in this context, with users debating its applicability to decompilation.
There's significant technical discussion about the decompilation process itself. Commenters discuss the challenges of accurately reconstructing source code from compiled binaries, particularly in the face of optimizations and obfuscation. The use of intermediate representations (IR) is discussed, with some speculating on Malimite's specific approach. The complexity of Objective-C and Swift, and the implications for decompilation, are also touched upon.
Several commenters compare Malimite to existing decompilation tools like Hopper, IDA Pro, and Ghidra. They discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of each tool, considering factors such as accuracy, ease of use, and platform support. Some express hope that Malimite might offer advantages in decompiling Swift code, which has traditionally been difficult.
Some users request more information about the project, such as its licensing model and future development plans. Others offer suggestions for improvements, such as integrating with existing debugging tools or supporting additional architectures.
Finally, a few commenters express skepticism about the project's claims, questioning its capabilities or suggesting it might be vaporware. They call for more concrete demonstrations of its functionality before drawing firm conclusions.