| Name | H-worm |
| Type | Computer Worm, RAT |
| Short Description | H-worm is a VBS-based worm with RAT functionalities that can be employed in targeted attacks and spam campaigns. |
| Symptoms | The worm can be spread to steal sensitive data. |
| Distribution Method | Corrupted links, spam emails, a corrupted VBS file. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By H-worm |
A Computer worm is a malicious piece of software that should be removed instantly from the infected PC. H-worm falls under the category of VBS (Visual Basic Script) worms. It is also reported to have RAT (remote access Trojan) capabilities which make it even worse. The name ‘H-worm’ comes from the worm’s author – an individual hacker going by the nickname Houdini. According to security researchers at FireEye, the hacker is most likely based in Algeria.
The H-worm has been used primarily in targeted attacks on companies in the energy sector. However, it has been spotted in other types of attacks via email attachments and corrupted links.
H-worm Technical Description. RAT and Command & Control Server
The H-worm attacks starts off with a simple VBS file that may be hidden in a PE executable dropper. According to research, in specific attacks, multiple layers of obfuscation can be added to the worm. Upon analyzing such fragments, researchers at FireEye discovered that they were baffled with:
- Custom Base64 encoding.
- Several levels of standard Base64 encoding known as Safa Crypter.
- Character substitutions.
The H-worm is reported to have another, Autoit version known as the ‘underworld’ variant. However, it has the functions of the VBS type.
In terms of the successful Command&Control contact, the worm will generate a network telemetry (beacon). As a result, multiple pieces of sensitive identification details will be sent out in the User-Agent field.
Additionally, H-worm is designed to employ multiple remote commands such as:
- Execute
- Update
- Uninstall
- Send
- Site-send
- Recv
- Enum-driver
- Enum-faf
- Enum-process
- Cmd-shell
- Delete
- Exit-process
- Sleep
Researchers at FireEye have also uncovered the builder and the controller interface of H-worm. It control panel is written in the Delphi programming language. Delphi is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for console, desktop, web and mobile applications.
Some of the worm’s malicious features such as the password grabber and the USB spreading functionality were not enabled in the analyzed version. However, those can be active in newer variants of H-worm.
An examination of the infrastructure of the Command&Control server unveils that it is shared by some infamous RATs (Remote Access Trojans) such as:
→NjW0rm, NjRat/LV, XtremeRAT, PoisonIvy
The cyber criminals who have written those probably own a lot more RATs to initiate multiple malicious attacks. Security specialists believe that H-worm shares the same code base with njq8. It remains unclear exactly how related they are, but it is easy to assume that njq8 is a group of people specializing in the development of RATs.
Other Worms to Keep Away from:
Worm:VBS/Tibni.A
wormp2p.tanked.trojanv1.1
WORM/Lodbak.Gen2
Who Is H-worm’s Creator Houdini?
A vast security research on Houdini indicates that the hacker has a portal to showcase his work that also hosts a demo video of H-worm. The way the portal was written reveals that the hacker is proficient in French and Arabic, hence the conclusion he was from Algeria.
What to Do If Affected by H-Worm?
Many worms exploit network vulnerabilities to spread across the Web. A spamming technique may also be employed. To increase your system’s strength against malware, it is highly recommended to sustain a powerful anti-malware program. Additionally, inserting unknown and unchecked USB drives and external media is also considered quite unsafe.
There are several more security tips to follow in order to stay protected against worms and RATs:
- Choose a secure ISP (Internet Service Provider).
- Enable automatic Windows updates.
- Enable the Windows Firewall.
- Update your browser to bypass zero-day attacks.
- Backup your data.
- Avoid p2p file sharing.
If you feel like you need to know more about worms and RATs, you can refer to our article about the most popular Trojan attacks in 2015 .
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
Follow Me:
Preparation before removing H-worm.
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 H-worm with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by H-worm 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 H-worm 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 H-worm 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.
H-worm FAQ
What Does H-worm Trojan Do?
The H-worm 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 H-worm, 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 H-worm 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 H-worm 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 H-worm Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this H-worm 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 H-worm?
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 H-worm threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.