{
  "family": "coinloader",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nCoinloader is a specialized Trojan Downloader engineered with a singular, primary objective: to silently infect a system and subsequently download, install, and execute unauthorized cryptocurrency mining software (Cryptojacking). The malware hijacks the victim's CPU and GPU processing power to generate digital currency (typically Monero) for the threat actors.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nCoinloader is widely distributed via \"fileless\" attacks (such as exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched web servers or databases like Redis/MSSQL), malicious email attachments, or hidden within pirated software and game torrents.\n\nOnce executed on a host, Coinloader operates with a focus on resource hijacking:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Miner Deployment:</strong> The downloader reaches out to attacker-controlled infrastructure (often utilizing paste sites like Pastebin or compromised GitHub repositories) to download an open-source or custom-built mining application (e.g., XMRig).</li>\n<li><strong>Stealth and Evasion:</strong> To prevent the user from noticing the massive spike in CPU usage, the loader often injects the miner into a legitimate Windows process (`svchost.exe`, `notepad.exe`). Advanced variants will actively monitor the Task Manager; if the user opens the Task Manager, the miner temporarily suspends its activity to hide the CPU spike.</li>\n<li><strong>Defense Evasion:</strong> Coinloader frequently utilizes PowerShell scripts to modify Windows Defender settings, adding exclusions for its own directories to prevent the miner from being quarantined.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nWhile Coinloader does not typically steal data or encrypt files like ransomware, it causes massive disruption. The constant 100% CPU/GPU utilization renders the workstation or server practically unusable, causes severe physical overheating (potentially damaging hardware), and significantly inflates corporate electricity and cloud computing costs.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Network Isolation and Process Termination:</strong> Identify the process consuming massive CPU resources (often a legitimate-sounding process name running from an unusual directory like `%AppData%`). Terminate the process and isolate the machine to halt mining and prevent re-infection.</li>\n<li><strong>Hunting for Persistence:</strong> Coinloader relies heavily on Scheduled Tasks and WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) event subscriptions for persistence. Thoroughly audit these areas using PowerShell or EDR tools.</li>\n<li><strong>Review AV Exclusions:</strong> Carefully review the local Antivirus/Windows Defender settings. The malware likely added folder or process exclusions that must be manually removed before a clean scan can be performed.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Trojan.Downloader.CoinMiner",
    "Riskware.Coinloader",
    "CoinMiner"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1105",
    "T1496",
    "T1562.001",
    "T1055"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T17:35:12Z",
  "type": "Downloader / Cryptominer",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}