Convert Exe To Shellcode __top__ [2026]

Despite its name, this is required for EXEs. It contains the ImageBase (the preferred memory address where the EXE wants to be loaded) and the Data Directories .

After conversion, you need a loader to test the generated shellcode. Simple C# loaders are available for this purpose:

takes a distinctive approach by first dumping the in-memory version of the target PE. The tool consists of two components: DumpPEFromMemory.exe (which creates a suspended process and extracts the main module from memory) and InflativeLoading.py (which appends a shellcode stub).

: The code is organized into sections (.text, .data) that must be mapped correctly to be executable. Stack Overflow Step-by-Step Conversion (Using Donut) binary or compile it from source. Run the command donut.exe -i your_program.exe -o loader.bin loader.bin file is your raw shellcode. Verification : You can test this shellcode using a simple C-based shellcode runner that allocates memory via VirtualAlloc and creates a thread to run the buffer. Bishop Fox to test your converted payload? Rust for Malware Development | Bishop Fox

If you are developing your own small tool and want it to be shellcode from the start, you can write it in a way that generates raw machine instructions directly. convert exe to shellcode

// Example snippet to access the PEB and find Kernel32.dll Base Address #include #include ULONG_ptr GetKernel32Address() PPEB peb; #if defined(_WIN64) peb = (PPEB)__readgsqword(0x60); #else peb = (PPEB)__readfsdword(0x30); #endif PLDR_DATA_TABLE_ENTRY moduleList = (PLDR_DATA_TABLE_ENTRY)peb->Ldr->Reserved2[1]; // Iterating through loaded modules to find kernel32.dll... // (Implementation requires parsing module names) return (ULONG_ptr)moduleList->DllBase; Use code with caution. Step 2: Configure the Compiler (Visual Studio / MSVC)

Step-by-step: Method A — Donut (fast, recommended)

The machine code needs to be formatted into a shellcode-compatible format. This involves converting the hexadecimal data into a byte array.

| Tool | Description & Key Strengths | Supported Architectures | Input Types | Advanced Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | The most popular and versatile option, known as a "position-independent code" generator. It is particularly famous for its support of .NET assemblies alongside native EXE/DLL files. | x86, x64, AMD64+x86 | EXE, DLL, .NET, VBS, JScript | Compression, entropy-based API hashing, encryption (Chaskey cipher), AMSI/ETW patching, multiple output formats (C, Python, PowerShell, etc.) | | Clematis | A powerful tool focused on converting PE files with a strong emphasis on opsec (operational security). It includes built-in obfuscation and compression to help evade detection. Clematis also boasts full support for GoLang executables , which other tools often struggle with. | x86, x64 | EXE, DLL, .NET, Go | Optional LZNT1 compression, command-line parameter passing, obfuscation, automatic memory cleanup | | InflativeLoading | Takes a unique hybrid approach. It first dumps an in-memory version of a target EXE (by running it in a suspended state) and then prepends a small shellcode stub to create the final, position-independent payload. This method offers a high-fidelity representation of the PE as it exists in memory. | x86, x64 | EXE, DLL | PE header obfuscation, support for some UPX-packed executables, stub-based loading | | PE2Shellcode | A lightweight, reflective PE loader. It creates a minimal shellcode builder that walks the PEB and resolves APIs using ROR13 hashing to avoid plaintext strings, keeping the final payload very small. | x86, x64 | EXE | Simple builder (combines stub + EXE), PEB walking & API hashing for stealth, no external OS loader involvement | | pe_to_shellcode | A unique entry from hasherezade. Its distinctive feature is that the converted file remains a valid PE file that can be executed normally, but its entry point is modified so it can also be injected as shellcode. | x86, x64 | EXE | Output remains a valid PE, built-in runshc.exe for testing, based on Reflective DLL Injection principles | | shellconverter | Written in Go, this tool focuses on being a simple, fast converter. It's a good choice for quick conversions due to its minimal dependencies and straightforward command-line interface. | Not specified | EXE, DLL | Optional AES encryption, optional shellcode output optimization (e.g., removing commas) | Despite its name, this is required for EXEs

For stability, it is advisable to use Python version 3.10 or 3.11.

msvc -c example.bin.noheader -Fo example.bin.aligned

To demonstrate how a compiled executable is encapsulated into a shellcode format, we can look at the command-line implementation of the Donut framework. Prerequisites

Donut is often the simplest starting point due to its broad compatibility. Simple C# loaders are available for this purpose:

Donut is a popular open-source tool that generates shellcode from VBScript, JScript, EXE, and DLL files. It handles the reflective loading process automatically, creating PIC (Position Independent Code) that can be injected.

: With LoadLibraryA and GetProcAddress available, any other required API functions can be resolved by hashing their names.

donut -i example.exe -f 1 -a 2 -o output.bin