{
  "family": "proxyagent",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "trojan",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nProxyAgent refers to a specific class of Trojan engineered to covertly convert an infected Windows machine into a proxy server (often a SOCKS5 or HTTP proxy). Once deployed, ProxyAgent quietly routes malicious or illicit network traffic through the victim's IP address, allowing threat actors to anonymize their attacks, bypass geographic restrictions, or commit click-fraud while hiding their true origin.\n\n<h3>Technical Architecture and Exploitation</h3>\nProxyAgent is typically distributed as a secondary payload, dropped by an initial downloader trojan or installed silently alongside deceptive \"free VPN\" or \"bandwidth sharing\" software.\n\nUpon execution, ProxyAgent focuses on establishing network routing capabilities:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Silent Installation and Persistence:</strong> The malware installs itself as a hidden background service or injects its code into a legitimate network-facing process (like `svchost.exe`). It modifies Windows Firewall rules to allow inbound connections on a specific port chosen by the attacker.</li>\n<li><strong>C2 Registration:</strong> The trojan registers the infected machine's IP address, bandwidth capacity, and open proxy port with a centralized command-and-control (C2) server. The infected machine is now part of a commercial proxy botnet (often sold on the dark web).</li>\n<li><strong>Traffic Routing:</strong> The attacker routes arbitrary traffic through the infected host. This traffic may include credential stuffing attacks against other organizations, spam distribution, or illegal file sharing, all of which appear to originate from the victim's corporate network.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Impact</h3>\nWhile a ProxyAgent infection may not directly steal the user's files or encrypt their data, it represents a severe operational and reputational risk. The organization's IP space can quickly become blacklisted by major email providers and threat intelligence feeds (e.g., Spamhaus), severely impacting legitimate business operations and communications.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Mitigation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Network Anomaly Detection:</strong> Monitor edge firewalls for sustained, high-volume inbound and outbound traffic on non-standard ports, which is highly indicative of an active proxy relay.</li>\n<li><strong>Endpoint Isolation:</strong> If a host is identified acting as a proxy, immediately isolate it from the network to halt the illicit traffic routing and prevent IP reputation damage.</li>\n<li><strong>Forensic Review:</strong> A proxy trojan is rarely the only malware on a system. Conduct a full forensic review to identify the initial access vector (the dropper) and determine if other, more destructive payloads (like info-stealers) were also deployed alongside the ProxyAgent.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Trojan.ProxyAgent",
    "Proxy.Botnet",
    "Win32/ProxyAgent"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1090.002",
    "T1562.004",
    "T1543.003"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T16:42:48Z",
  "type": "Trojan / Proxy",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}