CAPA¶
What CAPA does¶
Guided SUSA tool journey
CAPA supports malware analysis. In this guide, you will use it to identify likely capabilities in a safe training executable and validate rule evidence. The procedure and screenshots provide the practical reference; the surrounding context explains what to record and how to judge the result.
Tool guide at a glance¶
Identify likely capabilities in a safe training executable and validate rule evidence.
An inert or purpose-built training sample stored in a disposable isolated analysis VM.
A static observation or capability finding with sample hash, tool output, and confidence statement.
Evidence and safety
Do not execute unknown samples on SUSA. Disable shared folders and credentials, and use only authorised training material. Record the input identifier, tool version, relevant commands or settings, time and time zone, output location, and any errors or limitations as you work.
Choose your journey¶
01Understand the evidenceLearn the malware analysis concepts and limitations.Complete when you can explain what the evidence can and cannot show.Beginner · No tool required · 15–25 min 02Follow the CAPA guideWork through the commands, screenshots, and instructional sequence below.Complete when the documented workflow produces its expected output.Guided · SUSA workstation · Time varies 03Interactive labPractise the tool workflow in a safe browser simulation.Complete when the guided result is supported by the case evidence.Beginner · Browser only · 10–20 min 04Full LabInvestigate an authorised training scenario with fewer prompts and preserve a reviewable result.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab · 45–90 min
How the labs complement this guide
The Interactive Lab is a safe browser simulation for practising the workflow and validation logic. The Full Lab is an independent exercise for an isolated, authorised environment. Confirm the installed tool version and expected output before relying on either exercise in a real case.
Accessing CAPA in SUSA¶
CAPA analyses executable files, shellcode, .NET modules, and sandbox reports to identify the capabilities they contain. Rather than detecting malware families, it highlights what a program is capable of doing, such as installing services, acting as a backdoor, or communicating over HTTP.
Download the latest stable standalone CAPA binaries from the official release page.
Extract the ZIP archive to the C:\Tools\capa directory.
Adding CAPA to PATH environment variable¶
Open Environment Variables (Start → Environment Variables → Edit the system environment variables → Environment Variables).
Under User variables, select path and click Edit.
Click New and add (one entry per line):
Click OK (then OK on other windows to save changes).
Testing CAPA¶
Open an administrator Command Prompt and run CAPA against notepad.exe:
