How to Remove XWorm RAT From The Infected Computer

XWorm is a sophisticated Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that grants cybercriminals unauthorized control over infected systems. This comprehensive guide provides detailed technical analysis, distribution methods, removal instructions, and prevention strategies for those affected by this dangerous threat. By following our step-by-step methodology, you’ll learn how XWorm operates, how to safely remove it from your system, and how to prevent future infections.

Common Names	Avast: Win32:MalwareX-gen [Trj] ESET-NOD32: A Variant Of MSIL/Agent.DWN Kaspersky: HEUR:Trojan.MSIL.Tasker.gen Microsoft: Backdoor:MSIL/AsyncRAT.N!MTB Gridinsoft: Trojan.Win64.XWorm
Type	Remote Access Trojan (RAT), Information Stealer, Backdoor
First Detected	2021, with multiple updates through 2025
Platforms Affected	Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Infection Level	Critical
Data Risk	Severe – Complete system control, data theft, webcam/microphone access, ransomware deployment
Distribution Methods	Phishing emails (malicious attachments), social engineering, malicious advertisements, software cracks
Secondary Capabilities	Keylogging, password theft, cryptocurrency wallet hijacking, webcam/microphone access, ransomware deployment
Symptoms	Often runs stealthily with minimal visible symptoms, performance issues, unusual webcam activity

What is XWorm RAT?

XWorm is a sophisticated Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that provides attackers with comprehensive control over infected systems. According to Microsoft security researchers, XWorm is a commercial malware sold on underground forums for approximately $400, offering users a wide range of malicious capabilities through an intuitive control panel.

What makes XWorm particularly dangerous is its comprehensive feature set, providing attackers with near-complete control over infected systems. The malware can collect system information, access webcams and microphones, execute commands, disable security features, steal passwords, and even deploy ransomware. Once established on a system, XWorm creates a persistent backdoor that allows attackers to return at any time, essentially giving them full control over the victim’s digital life.

XWorm is part of a new generation of accessible yet powerful RATs that lower the barrier to entry for cybercriminals, enabling even less technical attackers to conduct sophisticated campaigns.

A recent analysis by Swascan reveals that XWorm is actively distributed through darknet forums where threat actors can purchase the source code and customize it for their specific attack campaigns. The malware has been circulating since at least July 2022 and is typically distributed as a self-extracting SFX package.

Interesting Facts About XWorm RAT

• XWorm is sold as commercial malware on underground forums for approximately $400, providing buyers with a full-featured control panel
• The malware can access webcams and microphones, allowing attackers to spy on victims through their own devices
• XWorm includes a built-in ransomware module that can be deployed at the attacker’s discretion
• The trojan specifically targets cryptocurrency wallets, performing clipboard hijacking to redirect crypto transactions
• XWorm can steal passwords, cookies, and other sensitive data from multiple browsers, including Chromium-based browsers and Firefox
• The malware has the ability to interact with Telegram and Discord, stealing session data and tokens
• Swascan researchers found that XWorm uses the Microsoft Connection Manager Profile Installer (cmstp.exe) to bypass User Access Control (UAC) in Windows
• The malware employs sophisticated anti-analysis, anti-VM, and anti-sandboxing techniques to evade detection

XWorm RAT Capabilities

Based on data collected from cybersecurity reports and threat intelligence:

• XWorm RAT has been documented in targeted attacks across over 30 countries, with significant activity in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, according to Proofpoint’s threat analysis
• The trojan has been observed stealing cryptocurrency by monitoring clipboards for wallet addresses and replacing them with attacker-controlled addresses
• According to Cybereason’s research, XWorm attacks often begin with phishing emails containing business-themed attachments
• Microsoft security researchers have identified XWorm as being capable of disabling security features like Windows Defender, Registry Editor, Task Manager, and more
• The average dwell time for XWorm infections is approximately 21 days before detection, giving attackers ample time to steal data and establish persistence

How XWorm RAT Spreads

XWorm uses several distribution methods to infect systems, as documented by Center for Internet Security (CIS) analysts:

• Phishing emails with malicious attachments (particularly MS Office documents presented as business communications, invoices, or reservation details)
• Social engineering tactics that trick users into downloading and executing malicious files
• Malicious online advertisements that redirect to exploit kits
• Software cracking tools and pirated software from unofficial sources
• Compromised websites that host malicious download links
• Malicious third-party software repositories and unofficial app stores

The most common infection vector involves business-themed phishing emails containing Microsoft Office documents with malicious macros. When a user opens these documents, they are prompted to “enable macros” or “enable content” to view the document properly. Once enabled, these macros execute scripts that connect to remote servers and download the XWorm RAT.

Signs of XWorm RAT Infection

XWorm is designed to operate stealthily, making detection challenging for the average user. However, these symptoms might indicate an XWorm infection:

• Webcam indicator light activating without user initiation
• Unexplained system slowdowns or resource usage spikes
• Security software or Windows Defender being disabled without user action
• Appearance of unfamiliar processes in Task Manager
• Unexplained crashes or system instability
• Modified clipboard content, especially when copying cryptocurrency wallet addresses
• Unusual network activity, even when no applications are actively being used
• Files with unexpected extensions appearing in your directories

According to security experts, XWorm is deliberately designed to minimize visible symptoms, which is why it often remains undetected until significant damage has already occurred.

Major Capabilities of XWorm RAT

XWorm possesses a comprehensive set of malicious capabilities, including:

Feature Category	Capabilities	Potential Impact
Remote Access	Remote desktop, file management, shell command execution	Full control over the infected system, ability to access all files and execute arbitrary commands
Surveillance	Webcam/microphone access, keylogging, screen capture	Privacy invasion, capture of sensitive conversations, monitoring of all user activity
Credential Theft	Browser password stealing, cookie theft, autofill data extraction	Account compromise, unauthorized access to financial and personal accounts
Cryptocurrency Theft	Clipboard hijacking (replacing wallet addresses), MetaMask data theft	Financial loss through redirected cryptocurrency transactions
System Control	Disabling security features, manipulating system settings	Rendering security protections ineffective, ensuring persistent access

The specific capabilities deployed often depend on the attacker’s objectives. Some may focus purely on data theft, while others might leverage the RAT for long-term espionage or to deploy additional payloads like ransomware.

How to Remove XWorm RAT

Removing XWorm requires a systematic approach to ensure all components are eliminated from your system. Follow these comprehensive removal steps:

1. Immediate Steps After Infection

1. Disconnect from networks: Immediately disconnect your computer from all networks, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth to prevent the RAT from communicating with command and control servers and exfiltrating data
2. Boot into Safe Mode: Restart your computer in Safe Mode to prevent the RAT from running its full capabilities
3. Cover your webcam: As an immediate precaution, cover your webcam with tape or a webcam cover to prevent visual surveillance
4. Back up important files: If possible, back up critical files to an external drive, but be cautious not to overwrite existing backups with potentially infected files

2. Removal Using Trojan Killer

Trojan Killer is specifically designed to remove sophisticated malware, including Remote Access Trojans like XWorm:

1. Download and install Trojan Killer from the official website on a clean computer and transfer it to the infected machine using a USB drive
2. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking:
   • Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly (Windows 7) or hold Shift while clicking Restart (Windows 10/11)
   • Select “Safe Mode with Networking” from the advanced startup options
3. Run a system scan:
   • Launch Trojan Killer with administrator privileges
   • Select “Full Scan” option to detect all XWorm components
   • Allow the scan to complete (may take 30-60 minutes)
4. Remove detected threats:
   • Review the scan results for XWorm components
   • Select all detected malicious components and click “Remove Selected”
   • Restart your computer when prompted
5. Run a second scan to ensure all malicious components have been removed

3. Manual Removal (For Advanced Users)

Warning: Manual removal of sophisticated RATs is challenging and should only be attempted by users with advanced technical knowledge. For most users, automated removal tools like Trojan Killer are recommended.

Step 1: Identify and Terminate Malicious Processes

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
2. Look for suspicious processes, including:
   • Randomly named executables (often with names consisting of random characters)
   • Processes running from temporary folders or the AppData directory
   • Processes with unusually high CPU, memory, or network usage
3. Right-click on suspicious processes and select “End Task”
4. For each suspicious process, click “Open File Location” to identify the malware’s location for later removal

Step 2: Use Autoruns to Find Malicious Startup Items

Autoruns is an effective tool for identifying malware persistence mechanisms:

1. Download Autoruns from the Microsoft Sysinternals website
2. Extract and run Autoruns.exe as administrator
3. In Autoruns, click “Options” and uncheck “Hide Empty Locations” and “Hide Windows Entries”
4. Click the “Refresh” icon to populate the list
5. Look for suspicious entries, particularly those with:
   • No verified publisher
   • Unusual or randomly named files
   • Files located in temporary folders or uncommon locations
6. Right-click on suspicious entries and select “Delete” to remove them

Step 3: Delete Malicious Files

Check these common locations for XWorm components:

Step 4: Clean Registry Entries

Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system problems. Create a backup before proceeding.

Step 5: Restore System Settings

XWorm often disables security features. Re-enable them with these commands:

4. Post-Removal Security Measures

After removing XWorm, perform these additional security steps:

1. Change all passwords: Since XWorm is capable of stealing credentials, change passwords for all your accounts, especially financial and email accounts
2. Enable two-factor authentication: Add this extra security layer to critical accounts to prevent unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised
3. Check cryptocurrency wallets: If you use cryptocurrency, check your transaction history for unauthorized transfers and consider moving funds to a new wallet
4. Monitor financial accounts: Watch for unauthorized transactions for several weeks following the infection
5. Update all software: Ensure your operating system and all applications are updated with the latest security patches
6. Consider a system reset: For the highest level of certainty that the RAT is completely removed, consider backing up your data and resetting Windows to factory settings

Preventing XWorm RAT Infections

To protect your systems against XWorm and similar Remote Access Trojans, implement these preventive measures:

• Exercise email caution: Never open attachments from unknown senders, especially if they contain macros
• Disable Office macros: Configure Microsoft Office to disable macros by default or only allow digitally signed macros
• Keep software updated: Regularly patch operating systems and applications to address security vulnerabilities
• Use strong security software: Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware solutions like Trojan Killer
• Download software only from official sources: Avoid cracked software, which often contains malware
• Use a webcam cover: Physically cover your webcam when not in use to prevent unauthorized access
• Implement browser protection: Use ad-blockers and script-blockers to prevent malicious advertisements
• Enable application whitelisting: Only allow trusted applications to run on your system
• Create regular backups: Maintain offline backups of important data
• User education: Train yourself and others to recognize phishing attempts and social engineering tactics

Following proper cybersecurity practices is essential for preventing not just XWorm, but all types of sophisticated malware that can compromise your data and privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How dangerous is XWorm compared to other RATs?

XWorm is considered particularly dangerous among Remote Access Trojans due to its comprehensive feature set and ease of use for attackers. Unlike some more specialized malware, XWorm provides a complete toolkit for system takeover, surveillance, and data theft. Its ability to control webcams and microphones represents a severe privacy risk, while its keylogging and password-stealing capabilities can lead to account compromise across financial, email, and social media platforms. Perhaps most concerning is XWorm’s ability to deploy ransomware, effectively giving attackers the option to pivot from espionage to extortion. According to Microsoft’s threat intelligence, commercially available RATs like XWorm have become increasingly prevalent as they lower the technical barrier for conducting sophisticated attacks, making them accessible to a wider range of threat actors.

Can XWorm steal from my cryptocurrency wallets?

Yes, XWorm has specific functionality designed to steal cryptocurrency. One of its most dangerous features is clipboard hijacking, where the malware monitors the clipboard for cryptocurrency wallet addresses and replaces them with addresses controlled by the attacker. For example, if you copy a Bitcoin address to make a transaction and XWorm is present on your system, when you paste the address, you’ll actually be sending funds to the attacker’s wallet instead of your intended recipient. Additionally, XWorm specifically targets MetaMask and other cryptocurrency wallet data stored on your computer. If you suspect your computer has been infected with XWorm and you use cryptocurrency, you should check your transaction history for any unauthorized transfers, consider moving any remaining funds to a new wallet created on a clean device, and be particularly vigilant when conducting future transactions. Always verify addresses character by character rather than trusting copy-paste operations if you suspect your system may be compromised.

What should I do if my business computer is infected with XWorm?

A XWorm infection in a business environment requires immediate and comprehensive action due to the sensitive nature of business data and the potential for lateral movement within a network. First, physically disconnect the affected computer from the network to prevent data exfiltration and potential spread. Notify your IT security team or managed service provider immediately, as this constitutes a serious security incident. Assume that all credentials stored on or used from the infected system are compromised, and initiate password changes from a clean device. Since XWorm has webcam and microphone access capabilities, consider whether any sensitive discussions may have been recorded in the vicinity of the infected computer. Document everything for potential incident reporting requirements, especially if the business handles regulated data (healthcare, financial, etc.). After removal, conduct a thorough security assessment to identify how the infection occurred and implement additional security measures to prevent future incidents. Finally, consider engaging a cybersecurity firm for a more comprehensive investigation if the infected system contained particularly sensitive data or had access to critical business systems.

Can my antivirus detect and prevent XWorm infections?

Modern, updated antivirus solutions can detect known variants of XWorm, but detection effectiveness varies significantly. According to VirusTotal analysis, even recent XWorm samples may be missed by some security products due to the RAT’s constant evolution and the use of obfuscation techniques by its distributors. XWorm’s commercial nature means it’s regularly updated to evade detection, and custom variants created through its builder can have unique signatures. For maximum protection against XWorm and similar threats, security experts recommend a defense-in-depth approach combining up-to-date antivirus software, email filtering to block phishing attempts, macro security in Office applications, regular system updates, user education about social engineering tactics, and endpoint monitoring for suspicious behaviors. No single security measure can provide complete protection against sophisticated RATs like XWorm, which is why layered security approaches remain essential for both individuals and organizations.

Technical Details of XWorm RAT

For security researchers and system administrators, here are the technical aspects of XWorm RAT based on cybersecurity sandbox analysis:

Initial Infection Process

XWorm typically follows this sequence during the initial infection:

1. User opens a malicious document with macros or clicks on a malicious link
2. Initial payload is downloaded and executed, often a small downloader
3. The downloader retrieves the main XWorm component
4. XWorm connects to its command and control (C2) server to receive instructions
5. The RAT establishes persistence mechanisms to survive system reboots
6. It begins collecting system information and waiting for commands from the attacker

System Modifications

Upon infection, XWorm makes several system changes to ensure persistence and functionality:

Swascan’s analysis found that XWorm uses three different techniques for ensuring persistence:

1. Adding registry keys to run at startup
2. Placing executable files in Windows autostart folders
3. Creating scheduled tasks to ensure regular execution

Network Communication

XWorm communicates with command and control (C2) servers using the following methods:

• Encrypted HTTP/HTTPS traffic to obscure commands and data exfiltration
• Custom TCP protocols in some variants for direct communication
• Potential use of DNS tunneling for data exfiltration in environments with strict outbound filtering
• Periodic beaconing to C2 servers to receive new commands
• File uploads for exfiltrating stolen data, including screenshots and keylogger logs

Anti-Analysis Techniques

XWorm employs various techniques to evade detection and analysis:

• VM detection to identify analysis environments (checks for virtualization artifacts)
• Delayed execution to bypass time-limited dynamic analysis
• Code obfuscation to hinder static analysis
• Process injection to hide malicious code in legitimate processes
• Anti-debugging techniques to prevent runtime analysis
• String encryption to hide suspicious text and command strings
• XWorm uses techniques like GetSystemTimeAsFileTime and QueryPerformanceCounter to detect debugging environments
• UAC bypass using the Microsoft Connection Manager Profile Installer (cmstp.exe) to gain elevated privileges without alerting the user
• Memory region encryption using CryptProtectMemory and CryptUnprotectMemory functions to hide its activities
• .NET obfuscation techniques to make reverse engineering more difficult

Key Features and Modules

XWorm includes numerous modules that can be activated based on attacker needs:

• Keylogger: Records all keystrokes, capturing passwords, messages, and other sensitive input
• Password Stealer: Extracts saved credentials from browsers and applications
• Remote Desktop: Provides full remote control of the infected system
• Webcam Control: Enables remote activation and monitoring of connected webcams
• Microphone Capture: Records audio from the victim’s environment
• File Manager: Allows remote browsing, uploading, and downloading of files
• Crypto Clipper: Monitors clipboard for cryptocurrency addresses and replaces them
• Ransomware: Can encrypt files and demand payment for decryption
• Information.dll: Swascan identified this dedicated plugin for collecting system information
• Maps.dll: For victim geolocation tracking
• RunPE: A module that allows execution of external Portable Executables
• TCP Connection Manager: For managing network connections and avoiding detection

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

Security teams should look for these indicators when hunting for XWorm:

File System Artifacts

Registry Artifacts

Network Indicators

YARA Rule for Detection

The following YARA rules can help detect XWorm RAT samples:

Using multiple YARA rules from different researchers provides better detection coverage as XWorm variants evolve over time. Each rule focuses on different characteristics of the malware, from string patterns to plugin functionality and specific identifiers used in the code.

Conclusion

XWorm RAT represents a significant threat due to its comprehensive capabilities and widespread availability as a commercial malware tool. Its ability to take complete control of infected systems, steal sensitive data, monitor webcams and microphones, and even deploy ransomware makes it a particularly dangerous threat to both individuals and organizations.

The removal process requires a systematic approach to ensure all components are eliminated, as the RAT is designed to establish multiple persistence mechanisms. For most users, specialized anti-malware tools offer the best chance of complete removal, while advanced users may attempt manual removal with appropriate caution.

Given the extensive access that XWorm provides to attackers, infected systems should be considered fully compromised. All passwords used or stored on the infected system should be changed, and additional security measures implemented to prevent reinfection.

As with most malware threats, prevention remains the most effective strategy. By implementing strong security practices, including email caution, regular software updates, and robust security solutions, users can significantly reduce their risk of XWorm infection and the severe privacy and security implications it entails.

By understanding how XWorm operates and implementing the recommended security practices, you can protect your systems from this sophisticated and invasive threat.