How to eliminate Warzone RAT
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is Warzone?
Warzone is remote access trojan (RAT) that cyber criminals use to remotely access victims' computers. This trojan is advertised using a public website, and thus can be downloaded and used by anyone.
Typically, cyber criminals try to trick people into installing these programs and then use them to steal various personal information that could be used to generate revenue in various ways.
More about Warzone RAT
Warzone's code is written in the C++ programming language. This RAT is independent of .NET Framework and controls computers via the VNC module. Warzone uses the HRDP model, which allows it to log into computers (Windows accounts) without victims' knowledge. Furthermore, this model allows cyber criminals to bypass UAC (User Account Control) security.
I.e., they can control the system using administrative privileges. This feature works on Windows versions from 7 to 10. Warzone can be used to access the victim's webcam, and to steal passwords from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge browsers, and Outlook, Thunderbird and Foxmail email clients.
Furthermore, cyber criminals can use this trojan to download and upload various files, execute and delete them. It also includes a key-logging feature (live key logger), which records every pressed key, even when offline.
Cyber criminals can also use it to send commands to the infected computer's CMD (Command Prompt), view and end/kill processes via Task Manager, and browse the web using the computer's IP address. This is a powerful remote access tool that can be used to cause serious damage.
It might be used to steal passwords, logins of various accounts (including bank accounts), to install malware (i.e. ransomware) that could lead to data loss or other problems, to record videos using the webcam and then use them to blackmail people, and so on.
Essentially, Warzone is used to steal data/details that could be used to generate revenue. Therefore, people who have Warzone installed are likely to experience financial loss, privacy issues, and have their computers infected with other malware and suffer from a number of other, serious problems.
| Name | Warzone remote access trojan |
| Threat Type | Trojan, Password-stealing virus, Banking malware, Spyware |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:Malware-gen), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Graftor.527299), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Agent.TJS), Kaspersky (Trojan.Win32.Agentb.jiad), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim's computer and remain silent, and thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software cracks. |
| Damage | Stolen banking information, passwords, identity theft, victim's computer added to a botnet. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
RATs in general
There are a number of RATs available, however, even legitimate ones can be used for malicious purposes. Some examples of other, similar tools are Bandook, CrossRAT, and Atilla Stealer. Typically, cyber criminals distribute RATs (trick people into installing them) to steal personal, sensitive data/information.
If there is any reason to believe that your computer is infected with software of this kind, uninstall it immediately.
How did Warzone infiltrate my computer?
There are various ways to distribute these programs. Generally, cyber criminals trick people into downloading and installing them through spam email campaigns, fake software updaters, third party software activation tools, untrustworthy software download sources and trojan-type programs. Spam campaigns can be used to proliferate malicious programs through email attachments.
For example, Microsoft Office documents, PDF documents, archive files (ZIP, RAR and so on), executables (.exe files), JavaScript files and others. When people (email recipients) open these attachments, they grant permission for malicious software to be downloaded and installed.
Fake (unofficial) software updaters can be used to exploit bugs, flaws of outdated software. In other cases, these tools simply download and install malware rather than the fixes or updates. Unofficial activation ('cracking') tools infect computers in a similar manner.
These tools are promoted as programs that supposedly allow users to activate licensed software free of charge, however, they often download and install viruses/malware instead. Another way to proliferate malicious files/programs is to use dubious software download sources.
For example, Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients, etc.), free file hosting and freeware download websites, third party downloaders and other similar sources. These channels are used to present malicious files as legitimate. Unfortunately, when malicious files are downloaded and opened, they infect computers with high-risk malware.
Trojans are programs that cause chain infections - if installed, they proliferate other viruses, however, to cause any damage, these programs must already installed.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Do not open attachments or web links that are present in emails received from unknown, suspicious addresses. Note, these emails are usually presented as official, important, and so on, but they should not be trusted. Update installed software properly using implemented functions or tools that are provided by official developers, and not other, third party tools.
Do not download software or files from untrustworthy, unofficial websites, using third party downloaders, or other dubious sources. The only safe channels are official websites. Installed, paid software should be activated properly. Third party activation/cracking tools are illegal and often download and install malware.
All computers are safer when reputable anti-virus or anti-spyware software is installed. Keep these programs enabled at all times and scan systems for viruses regularly. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Screenshot of a website that is used to promote Warzone:
Example of a spam email used to spread a malicious MS Excel document designed to inject Warzone RAT into the system:
Text presented within:
Subject: Wholesale Price List
Hi.
We will need you to list pricing for each item or bundled package in $Usd , fob , #-totals of each avail for immediate sales and shipping?
Our 50-plus retail locations are Also always looking for Surplus inventories and in-stock inventories available at discounted pricing to buy all items you have?
Please use the attached quote form and list ANY/ALL items you have in-stock inventories & also Surplus inventories and other items that are ready to ship' if Applicable for any of your Factories items'
If any / all Items need to be Manufactured - please include all info-specs - pics and $ usd , fob , min-moq needed per items , style , color and any other needed info for Director to review to determine whether we want to carry in our retail locations in North America.
For confidential reasons you need to Enable content in the xls file for perfect viewing and not comparable with WPS sorry only Microsoft excel.
Thanks we appreciate all your efforts and hard-work in this matter
Screenshot of the malicious attachment:
Update February 13, 2024: The FBI's efforts led to the disruption of the Warzone RAT malware operation, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. Daniel Meli, a 27-year-old resident of Malta, was apprehended for his involvement in the distribution of Warzone RAT, a prevalent remote access trojan in cybercrime activities.
Meli's arrest in Malta followed an indictment by U.S. authorities and involved a coordinated effort with local and international agencies. In addition to Meli's arrest, domains associated with Warzone RAT were seized, and another indictment targeted Prince Onyeoziri Odinakachi, 31, from Nigeria, for providing customer support to threat actors.
Furthermore, the operation led to the identification and confiscation of server infrastructure linked to the malware across various countries.
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Warzone?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of Warzone malware.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically.
To remove this malware we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button.
Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu". Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button.
In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck the "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs.
These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My computer is infected with Warzone malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
No, Warzone can be removed without formatting the storage device. It can be removed by following the steps described in our removal guide above.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
In most cases, having a computer infected with malware causes problems such as identity theft, monetary loss, data encryption, additional computer infections, and (or) poor computer performance.
What is the purpose of Warzone malware?
It is a remote access Trojan that steals passwords from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge browsers, Outlook, Thunderbird, and Foxmail email clients. Also, it can be used to download and upload various files, execute and delete them, log keystrokes (record keyboard input), execute commands via Command Prompt, and view and end processes in Task Manager.
How did a malware infiltrate my computer?
It is known that Warzone RAT is distributed via emails. Cybercriminals send emails containing malicious attachments to trick recipients into infecting their computers with Warzone. In other cases, malware is distributed via websites hosting cracked/pirated software, fake installers, P2P networks, torrent sites, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove almost all known malware. High-end malware can hide deep in the system. Thus, running a full system scan is a must to detect and remove malware of this kind.
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