What is COMpfun? How to remove COMpfun Trojan from your PC or Mac?
The COMpfun Trojan is a malware remote access tool which is currently being used in an attack against European diplomatic entities. This is actually an updated version of a previously released Trojan, according to security researches it might be organized by the Turla hacking group, one of the famous criminal collectives.
This updated COMpfun Trojan includes much improved functionality when compared with previous versions. This is the reason why a whole new malware analysis was performed on the collected samples. It also contains some code similarities with other high-profile malware tools used by hackers.
Threat Summary
| Name | COMpfun Trojan |
| Type | Malware, Trojan |
| Short Description | A dangerous malware which can launch different components and start a Trojan module. |
| Symptoms | The victims may notice performance issues and can get infected with other malware. |
| Distribution Method | Common distribution tactics and direct web attacks. |
| Detection Tool |
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COMpfun Trojan — What Is It?
The discovery of the COMpfun Trojan in a highly sophisticated attack targeting mainly European diplomatic entities was a surprise. The first factor is that this appears to be a heavily updated version of the original threat, only through some of the unchanged code the identification was made. The original discovery of the malware dates back to 2014, since then there have been probably numerous changes.
The COMpfun Trojan is also being spread by the infamous group called Turla which have been responsible for numerous devastating attacks over the years. In some of their campaigns they have used custom tools and have carefully researched the target network in order to maximize the damage potential. The Trojan with updated code was confirmed in November 2019 and includes updated capabilities that add in many more features as compared to previous releases.
COMpfun Trojan — How It Infects?
At the moment of writing this article it is not known which infection strategy is being used to deliver the Trojan. What we know for sure is that this is done via a several stage infection approach. What we know is that the first-stage payload dropper contains both a legitimate application (probably part of an infected setup bundle or file) and will drop the Trojan code. There are several ways through which this can be done:
- Phishing Strategies — The files can be sent via phishing messages and sites that impersonate well-known company and service notifications. The files can be attached or linked in them.
- File-Sharing Networks — The files can be uploaded to file-sharing networks like BitTorrent and other places where pirate and legitimate data is shared.
- Direct Network Attacks — This particular threat can propagate in a worm-like manner across a compromised network.
The COMpfun Trojan has been found to feature an aggressive infection mechanism — once a given machine is infected with it the virus can spread to connected removable devices and network shares.
COMpfun Trojan — What Does It Do?
Once the Trojan is installed on a given computer it will be deployed in an encrypted form. The initial loader will decrypt the module and uncompressed it. The files will then be placed on the target system as either a DOC or strong>PDF file. This is followed by a prompt asking the users to run the files with administrative privileges. If they accept the Trojan will be installed in the right architecture — 32 or 64-bit.
One of the first actions which are run by the engine is to launch the infecting removable devices which are connected to the host system. The preparatory stage is to evade the security systems which are used to detect viruses and malware. This is done by bypassing the detection engines of active anti-virus programs, firewalls and other related applications. This Trojan will also act against sandbox environments and virtual machine hosts which are used to capture viruses. The next step is to escalate the privileges so that the malware engine can run actions as administrators. The main Trojan will then launch other mechanisms making sure that they will run undetected. Being a remote access Trojan like other advanced tools used by the Turla hackers group it can also hijack mouse movement and keyboard input. This will result in the gathering of both personal user information and system data.
The Trojan connection will be to a hacker-controlled server using a network connection which uses both HTTP and HTTPS packets. This means that both raw and encrypted messages can be used to communicate with the servers. This is done to drive the local malware performing the common Trojan actions:
- Persistent Installation> — This means that the virus will install itself in a way which will make start the relevant virus as soon as the computer is powered on. The engine will also maintain its running condition by stopping processes that attempt to remove it.
- System Data Gathering — The virus will also generate an unique identification value that is assigned to every individual computer. This is done by using an algorithm that calculates it based on the installed hardware components and operating system conditions.
- Further Devices Infectionstrong> — The COMpfun Trojan will be driven to infect available network shares and removable devices in an attempt to contaminate as many computers as possible.
COMpfun Trojan — What Are Its Unique Features?
What’s distinctive about this malware is that it is programmed send out valid HTTP(S) status code — they are implemented in the RFC specifications of the network protocols. This means that they will not be analyzed by security systems as they are trusted to be part of the whole network stack implementation.
The COMPfun malware analysis reveals how these status messages are utilized by the Trjan:
- HTTP Status 200 (OK) — This will make the local client send out all collected information to the hacker-controlled server.
- HTTP STATUS 402 (Payment Required) — This status will manipulate the system to process the received commands.
- HTTP STATUS 422 (Unprocessable Entiy) — This will delete the Trojan, all associated files and disable the persistence mechanism.
- HTTP STATUS 423 (Locked) — This will initiate the installation of the COMpfun Trojan, drops all relevant files and starts the persistent mechanism.
- HTTP STATUS 424 (Failed Dependency) — This will start the collection of sensitive user files, geolocation data and network information.
- HTTP STATUS 427 (Undefined HTTP Status) — This will retrieve new commands and save them to a local file called IEA94E3.tmp located in the %TEMP% folder which will then be run.
- HTTP STATUS 428 (Precondition Required) — This will trigger the USB devices infection.
- HTTP STATUS 229 (Too Many Requests) — This option will enumerate all available network devices on the network and send out the information to the hackers.
The Trojan is fully capable of injecting itself in various processes — from user-installed applications to system services. This allows the malware to hijack user data from them and also monitor the user interactions.
How to Remove COMpfun Trojan
In order to fully remove COMpfun from your computer system, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. If the first two manual removal steps do not seem to work and you still see COMpfun or programs, related to it, we suggest what most security experts advise – to download and run a scan of your computer with a reputable anti-malware program. Downloading this software will not only save you some time, but will remove all of COMpfun files and programs related to it and will protect your computer against such intrusive apps and malware in the future.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Preparation before removing COMpfun Trojan.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for COMpfun Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by COMpfun Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by COMpfun Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by COMpfun Trojan on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
COMpfun Trojan FAQ
What Does COMpfun Trojan Trojan Do?
The COMpfun Trojan Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like COMpfun Trojan, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can COMpfun Trojan Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can COMpfun Trojan Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the COMpfun Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this COMpfun Trojan how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on COMpfun Trojan?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the COMpfun Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.