Vector35 / Vector35/binaryninja-api

Library functions lose their library attribute after loading PDB

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Component: DebugInfo DebugInfo: PDB Effort: Low Impact: Low
Dominant language
C++
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Description

Version and Platform (required):

  • Binary Ninja Version: 3.6.4807-dev, 864ff019
  • OS: Windows
  • OS Version: 11
  • CPU Architecture: x86_64

Bug Description:
Seeing library function calls in a different color is very useful for quickly recognizing them. However, I've noticed that when the binary has a PDB file, those functions lose the different color defined for library functions.

Steps To Reproduce:

  1. Open a PE binary with a PDB file
  2. Check some library functions and observe that they lose their different color

Expected Behavior:
I expect those functions to retain their different color (indicating the library attribute) even after loading a PDB file.

Screenshots:
Without PDB:

With PDB:

Additional Information:
I'm unsure if this applies to other platforms.

Contributor guide

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Reproduce the issue with a PE binary both without and with its PDB loaded, following the listed steps on Windows. Trace the PDB-loading path and library-attribute handling, comparing the function state before and after loading symbols. Done means library functions retain their distinct color and library attribute after the PDB is loaded.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
reverse-engineering
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
38/100

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