This article has been created in order to explain what is the Trojan.Madominer virus and how you can remove this miner worm completely.
A new Trojan that is also a worm infection has been detected by security researchers at Symantec. The Trojan’s primary purpose is to convince victims to install itself by exploiting vulnerabilities in Windows and then use this to install a coin miner tht connects to multiple mining servers to mine the infected computers for cryptocurrencies. In the events that you suspect an infection by the Trojan.Madominer infection, we recommend that you read the following article to learn more about it plus how you can remove it from your PC thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name | Trojan.Madominer |
| Type | Trojan and Worm |
| Short Description | Slithers on your computer and runs a process which connects to miner servers and begins to mine for cryptocurrencies.=. |
| Symptoms | Your PC might experience a 100% CPU and GPU usage, overheating and extreme slowing down. |
| Distribution Method | Malicious executable files uploaded online, malicious e-mail spam attachments. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Trojan.Madominer. |
Trojan.Madominer – Distribution
In order for the Trojan.Madominer to be widespread, the infection may be triggered via a remote host as a result of exploiting the three following vulnerabilities:
- Microsoft Windows Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (CVE-2017-9073)
- Microsoft Windows SMB Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2017-0143)
- Microsoft Windows SMB Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2017-0146)
These vulnerabilities might be embedded into a malicious e-mail attachment or even a malicious JavaScript that is uploaded on a URL. The most often methods of infection with Trojans is to take advantage of online communication platforms, like Messenger, Google Drive, Gmail, Skype and many others and use them to send a file, that is often masked as a legitimate docment, like:
- A picture of your friend.
- An online e-mail attachment that pretends to be an invoice or a receipt.
- A password recovery protocol.
- Important banking statement.
Trojan.Madominer Coin Miner Virus – Analysis
When the Trojan.Madominer has infected a certain computer, the virus creates the following folders:
→ %System%\Tasks\GooglePinginConfigs
%System%\Tasks\RavTask
Then, the Trojan.Madominer drops it’s malicious files on the victim PC and they could have the following names and locations:
→ %ProgramFiles%\stormii\server.exe
%SystemDrive%\[PATH TO MALWARE]\[MALWARE ROOT]\tem.vbs
%System Drive%\IIS\CPUInfo.exe
%System Drive%\IIS\Doublepulsar-1.3.1.exe
%System Drive%\IIS\Esteemaudit-2.1.0.exe
%System Drive%\IIS\Esteemaudittouch-2.1.0.exe
%System Drive%\IIS\Eternalblue-2.2.0.exe
%System Drive%\IIS\Eternalchampion-2.0.0.exe
%System Drive%\IIS\free.bat
%System Drive%\IIS\s.bat
But the virus does not stop there as it creates a lot of tasks and registries to kill different executables that belong to Windows and to run exectuables that perform the mining process as an administrator without them being bothered. Symantec report the following registy values to be created:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\1.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\2.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\3.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Systmss.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\csrss..exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\nanol.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\svchostr.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\wax.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\wuauc1t.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ystmss.exe\”debugger” = “taskkill.exe”
Next, the Madominer Trojan could download additional miner files from several suspicious domains, that end in .com:3 and .info:3. The virus also remotely connects to 8 different servers that end in .info which help it relay the cryptocurrency mining information and begin the mining process.
The malware also has a worm function enabled, meaning that it could propagate to other PCs in the same network and could possibly create copies of it’s infection files to be spread via USB and other removable drives connected to the infected computer in question.
If you suspect that the Madominer Trojan is installed on your PC, do not underestimate it and remove it ASAP. If the Trojan stays for long time on your PC, it may do a lot more than just mine for cryptocurrencies, like Monero and BitCoin at your computer resources’ expense. The virus may also perform spyware activities, such as:
- Obtain your keystrokes via a keylogger program.
- Steal different types of files and folders directly from your drive.
- Take screenshots from your desktop.
- Steal passwords.
- Steal camera and audio communication and record it.
Remove Madominer Trojan Completely from Your Computer
If you want to remove the Madominer malware from your PC effectively, we suggest that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been created with the primary purpose to help you delete the malicious files of the virus effectively from your computer either manually or automatically. If manual removal does not seem to work against this worm, most experts do advise to download and scan your PC by using an advanced anti-malware program, whose main purpose is to detect and fully erase all the malicious files and objects, belonging to the Trojan.Madominer infection.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Trojan.Madominer from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Trojan.Madominer from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Trojan.Madominer from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Trojan.Madominer from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Trojan.Madominer from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Trojan.Madominer from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Trojan.Madominer from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Trojan.Madominer from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Trojan.Madominer
Step 2: Uninstall Trojan.Madominer and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Trojan.Madominer 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 Trojan.Madominer 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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Trojan.Madominer from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Trojan.Madominer and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Trojan.Madominer via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Trojan.Madominer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Trojan.Madominer, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Trojan.Madominer from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Trojan.Madominer from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Trojan.Madominer from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Trojan.Madominer from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Trojan.Madominer will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Trojan.Madominer from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
