Encoder

The encoder can take many forms and provide its function in a number of different ways. At its most basic definition, an encoder is simply a function used when packaging a payload for use by an exploit which encodes the payload into a different form than the original. There are many different encoders available today, some of which provide encoding such as alphanumeric mixed-case text[6], Unicode safe mix-cased text[7], UTF-8 and tolower() safe[2], and XOR against a 4-byte key[8]. There is also an extremely impressive polymorphic XOR additive feedback encoder available called Shikata Ga Nai[9].