How to Remove CoffeeLoader Malware Loader

CoffeeLoader is a sophisticated malware loader that has become a serious threat in the cybersecurity landscape. It is designed not to cause immediate damage on its own, but to act as a stealthy gateway for delivering more destructive malware—most notably, the Rhadamanthys information stealer.

What makes CoffeeLoader particularly dangerous is its highly evasive nature. This loader uses advanced techniques like GPU-based execution, sleep obfuscation, and call stack spoofing to bypass traditional antivirus and analysis tools. Its primary purpose is to infiltrate systems undetected, maintain persistence, and download malicious payloads while avoiding security software.

Threat Summary

Attribute	Details
Name	CoffeeLoader
Threat Type	Malware Loader
Detection Names	Avast (FileRepMalware [Misc]), DTX (Dll.trojan.shelma), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Generik.ZSZZQR), Kaspersky (Trojan.Win32.Shelma.chgq), Sophos (Mal/Generic-S)
Payload	Rhadamanthys (primary), possibly others
Symptoms	Typically stealthy; no visible symptoms.
Distribution Methods	Infected email attachments, malicious ads, social engineering, cracked software
Damage Potential	Stolen credentials, cryptocurrency theft, identity fraud, financial loss, botnet recruitment
Associated Emails	Not specified
Danger Level	High – due to stealth, adaptability, and ability to deploy dangerous malware

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Advanced Evasion Techniques

CoffeeLoader employs a custom packer called “Armoury”, which enables code execution on a system’s GPU. Since most sandbox environments focus on CPU activity, this trick allows CoffeeLoader to fly under the radar during automated malware analysis.

Additionally, the malware uses a Domain Generation Algorithm (DGA) to stay in touch with its command-and-control (C2) infrastructure. If a C2 server is taken down, the DGA enables CoffeeLoader to automatically generate and connect to a new one. Certificate pinning is also used, preventing interception of TLS traffic through man-in-the-middle attacks.

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Connection to Rhadamanthys Malware

Recent analyses have confirmed that CoffeeLoader is used by cybercriminals to deliver Rhadamanthys, an infostealer that targets:

• Device and system data
• Installed applications
• Cryptocurrency wallets
• PowerShell execution
• Sensitive documents

Rhadamanthys can exfiltrate data such as usernames, passwords, IP addresses, and other identifiers that are then sold or used in further attacks like identity theft and financial fraud.

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Comparison with SmokeLoader

CoffeeLoader shares multiple similarities with SmokeLoader, another well-known malware loader. Both use process injection, import resolution by hash, and encrypt traffic using RC4 with hardcoded keys. These similarities suggest that CoffeeLoader may have been inspired by or developed by groups familiar with the SmokeLoader framework.

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Manual Trojan Malware Removal Guide

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

1. Restart your computer.
2. Before Windows starts, press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems).
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the Advanced Boot Options menu.
4. Press Enter to boot.

This prevents the Trojan from running and makes it easier to remove.

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Step 2: Identify and Stop Malicious Processes

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab (or Details in Windows 10/11).
3. Look for suspicious processes using high CPU or memory, or with unfamiliar names.
4. Right-click on the suspicious process and select Open File Location.
5. If the file is in a temporary or system folder and looks unfamiliar, it is likely malicious.
6. Right-click the process and choose End Task.
7. Delete the associated file in File Explorer.

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Step 3: Remove Trojan-Related Files and Folders

1. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
2. Delete all files in the Temp folder.
3. Also check these directories for unfamiliar or recently created files:
   • C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Temp
   • C:\Windows\Temp
   • C:\Program Files (x86)
   • C:\ProgramData
   • C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming
4. Delete suspicious files or folders.

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Step 4: Clean Trojan Malware from Registry

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following paths:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Look for entries launching files from suspicious locations.
4. Right-click and delete any entries you don’t recognize.

Warning: Editing the registry can harm your system if done improperly. Proceed with caution.

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Step 5: Reset Browser Settings

Google Chrome

1. Go to Settings > Reset Settings.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Go to Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.

Microsoft Edge

1. Go to Settings > Reset settings.
2. Click Restore settings to their default values.

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Step 6: Run a Full Windows Defender Scan

1. Open Windows Security via Settings > Update & Security.
2. Click Virus & threat protection.
3. Choose Scan options, select Full scan, and click Scan now.

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Step 7: Update Windows and Installed Software

1. Press Win + I, go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install all available updates.

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Automatic Trojan Removal Using SpyHunter

If manually removing the Trojan seems difficult or time-consuming, using SpyHunter is the recommended method. SpyHunter is an advanced anti-malware tool that detects and eliminates Trojan infections effectively.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Use the following official link to download SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

For full instructions on how to install, follow this page: Official SpyHunter Download Instructions

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Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Locate the SpyHunter-Installer.exe file in your Downloads folder.
2. Double-click the installer to begin setup.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

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Step 3: Scan Your System

1. Open SpyHunter.
2. Click Start Scan Now.
3. Let the program detect all threats, including Trojan components.

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Step 4: Remove Detected Malware

1. After the scan, click Fix Threats.
2. SpyHunter will automatically quarantine and remove all identified malicious components.

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Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Restart your system to ensure all changes take effect and the threat is completely removed.

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Tips to Prevent Future Trojan Infections

• Avoid downloading pirated software or opening unknown email attachments.
• Only visit trusted websites and avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups.
• Use a real-time antivirus solution like SpyHunter for ongoing protection.
• Keep your operating system, browsers, and software up to date.

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Conclusion

CoffeeLoader represents a new generation of stealthy, adaptable malware loaders designed to silently breach systems and deploy highly destructive payloads like Rhadamanthys. Its use of GPU execution, DGA, and advanced encryption methods make it a formidable threat in today’s cybersecurity landscape. Whether targeting personal data or cryptocurrency wallets, the end goal is clear: data theft and financial gain for cybercriminals.

While there may be no immediate symptoms, the long-term consequences of a CoffeeLoader infection can be catastrophic. It is essential to stay informed about such loaders and the types of malware they introduce, even if preventive and removal measures are addressed elsewhere.