{
  "family": "onescan",
  "sample_count": 3,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "Rogue:Win32/Onescan is a family of Rogue Antivirus (Scareware) programs designed to extort money from users through fear and deception. It mimics the appearance and behavior of legitimate security software, performing fake system 'scans' and displaying alarming, fabricated alerts regarding critical malware infections. It then demands that the user purchase a 'full license' to remove the non-existent threats.<br><br><b>Understanding Onescan (Scareware)</b><br>To an end-user, Onescan is terrifying. It frequently locks the desktop, prevents other programs from running, and bombards the screen with flashing red warnings about critical data loss or impending system failure. For a security analyst, Onescan is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that utilizes aggressive social engineering (`T1566.002`) and system hijacking (`T1562.001`) to commit fraud.<br><br><b>Execution and Hijacking Mechanics</b><br>Onescan is typically distributed via Drive-by Compromise (`T1189`), deceptive advertisements, or bundled with free software. Upon execution, it modifies the Windows Registry (`T1112`) to ensure it runs automatically on startup (`T1547.001`). Crucially, it attempts to Impair Defenses (`T1562.001`) by terminating legitimate antivirus processes, disabling the Windows Task Manager, and sometimes modifying the `hosts` file to block access to legitimate security vendor websites, ensuring the user cannot seek outside help.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The primary impact is financial loss for the victim and severe disruption of system usability. Host-based IoCs include the presence of unexpectedly installed software with generic security names (e.g., 'Antivirus Pro 2012', 'System Defender'), anomalous Registry modifications disabling the Task Manager or Registry Editor, and EDR alerts for a process attempting to terminate known security agent services.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1547.001",
    "T1562.001",
    "T1189",
    "T1112"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1562.001",
      "name": "Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (Killing legitimate AV)",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1112",
      "name": "Modify Registry (Disabling Task Manager)",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1547.001",
      "name": "Boot or Logon Autostart Execution",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1189",
      "name": "Drive-by Compromise (Malvertising distribution)",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Boot the infected system into Safe Mode with Networking to bypass the Rogue AV's auto-start mechanisms and regaining access to the desktop.",
    "Use a reputable, standalone antimalware scanner (run from a USB drive if necessary) to detect and remove the Onescan executables.",
    "Restore the Windows Registry settings, specifically re-enabling the Task Manager and Registry Editor.",
    "Check the `hosts` file (`C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\hosts`) and remove any malicious entries blocking access to security vendors."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not enter any credit card information or attempt to 'purchase' the software; it will not fix the computer and the financial data will be stolen.",
    "Avoid assuming a simple uninstall will work; Rogue AVs often aggressively defend their files and registry keys."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}