EXE

EXE is the executable file format developed by the Microsoft company for the following operating systems: Windows, DOS, OS/2.

The EXE file contains series of instructions for the processor to be executed.

Magic number of the EXE file format is: 0x4d 0x5a (which means, each EXE file starts with the ASCII string called "MZ".

Formats of the EXE file

DOS

• 16-bit DOS MZ Executable (MZ)
  • The original DOS executable format, identifiable by the ASCII letters "MZ" at the start of the file.
  • Later formats retain an MZ DOS stub header for backward compatibility.
• 16-bit New Executable (NE)
  • Introduced in multitasking MS-DOS 4.0.
  • Used in 16-bit OS/2 and Windows, identifiable by "NE" in ASCII.

OS/2

• 32-bit Linear Executable (LX)
  • Introduced in OS/2 2.0 and identifiable by "LX" in ASCII.
  • Runs only on OS/2 2.0 and higher.
• Mixed 16/32-bit Linear Executable (LE)
  • Introduced in OS/2 2.0, identifiable by "LE" in ASCII.
  • Used for VxD drivers on Windows 3.x, OS/2, and Windows 9x.

Windows

• 32-bit Portable Executable (PE)

  The PE format is used by Windows 95 and higher.

  • Introduced with Windows NT, structured as "fat binaries" with a DOS-specific and Windows-specific section.
  • The DOS stub (a minimal DOS program) displays "This program cannot be run in DOS mode." Custom DOS stubs can be created.
  • The Windows part starts with "PE\0\0" (ASCII for "PE" with two null bytes).
• 64-bit Portable Executable (PE32+)
  • Introduced with 64-bit Windows, an extended PE format with wider fields.
  • Often allows code to run in either 32-bit or 64-bit mode.
  • Includes a DOS stub for compatibility.

Other Formats

• Additional EXE formats include W3 (used in WIN386.EXE), W4 (compressed LE files in VMM32.VXD), and others like DL, MP, P2, and P3 (used by Phar Lap extenders).

Parts of the PE EXE file

EXE file consists of the following parts: headers, sections

EXE headers

• MS-DOS Header
• PE Header

MS-DOS Header

Its length is 64 bytes and contains the relocation information. This header is intended for MS-DOS operating system.

Purpose of this header is to show an error message, if such an EXE file is started on the MS-DOS operating system, which is only for historical purposes.

Usual text of the message is: This program cannot be run in DOS mode

PE Header

The PE (Portable Executable) header is part of a Windows .exe file that the operating system reads when it runs the file. This header tells the OS where and how to load the program into memory. It begins with a unique 4-byte signature and includes essential details such as:

• The memory location where the executable should start
• The program's entry point address
• A checksum
• Supported processor types
• The executable's size
• A list of required libraries, functions, and resources

Section Table

The section table is an array of structures, where each entry represents a section of the executable. Each entry includes information about the section, such as:

• Its size in memory
• Location
• Specific characteristics

Data Directory

The data directory is an array that points to various tables with essential executable information, including:

• Export Table: Lists functions the executable makes available to other programs.
• Import Table: Lists functions it imports from other libraries.
• Resource Table: Contains embedded resources (e.g., images).
• Import Address Table (IAT): Holds runtime addresses for imported functions, so they’re accessible when the program runs.

Sections

These are key sections within a .exe file.

• .text/.code/CODE/TEXT — Holds the executable code, or machine instructions, that the CPU runs. This section is vital for disassembly.
• .tests/TEXTBSS — Included if incremental linking is enabled.
• .rdata — Stores constants and read-only data, such as string literals.
• .data/DATA — Typically has read and write access, containing initialized global and static variables that can be accessed from anywhere in the program.
• .bss/BSS — Holds uninitialized global and static variables.
• .rsrc — Contains embedded resources, like images and icons. Strings may also be stored here.
• .debug — Stores debugging information.
• .idata — Import data section, which includes details on imported functions.
• .edata — Export data section, holding information on exported functions.
• .reloc — Contains data necessary for relocating library files in memory.

External links

• Medium article on analyzing .exe files
• Wikipedia: .exe