GRAPELOADER Virus (APT29 Malware)

The GRAPELOADER virus is a sophisticated piece of malware used primarily by the Russian-linked APT29 threat actor group, also known as “Cozy Bear” or “Midnight Blizzard.” Active since January 2025, this threat has been involved in phishing campaigns targeting European embassies and diplomatic organizations. Its core function is to act as a loader—a type of Trojan that initiates further infection chains by delivering secondary malware payloads.

GRAPELOADER is no ordinary loader. It’s been observed using advanced obfuscation, anti-detection, and anti-analysis techniques to evade cybersecurity defenses. It often infiltrates systems via a method called DLL side-loading, a technique that abuses legitimate software to execute malicious code. Once embedded, GRAPELOADER harvests basic machine information (like device name and user details) and transmits it to a remote command-and-control (C&C) server. The server then issues instructions or additional malicious code, continuing the infection chain.

In past attacks, GRAPELOADER has been used to drop WINELOADER—a modular backdoor previously deployed by APT29. This suggests a coordinated attack strategy, where multiple custom tools are used for different infection stages.

Malware of this caliber is typically distributed through phishing emails, malicious advertisements, and deceptive download links. It doesn’t display obvious symptoms, making detection difficult until it’s too late. Victims can suffer from stolen credentials, financial theft, and severe privacy intrusions. In worst-case scenarios, infected systems may be added to botnets or repurposed for cyberespionage.

Here is a quick overview of the GRAPELOADER threat:

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GRAPELOADER Malware Summary

Category	Details
Threat Name	GRAPELOADER
Threat Type	Trojan, Loader
Known Aliases (AV)	Win64:MalwareX-gen [Misc], Win64/Dukes.S, Trojan.Win32.RunDll.aiun, Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml
Associated Group	APT29 (Cozy Bear / Midnight Blizzard)
Detection Start Date	January 2025
Symptoms	Often stealthy; no visible symptoms
Distribution Methods	Phishing emails, malicious ads, fake downloads, software cracks
Damage Potential	Identity theft, credential harvesting, device hijacking, espionage
Danger Level	Extremely High
Removal Tool	SpyHunter

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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.

Final Thoughts

GRAPELOADER represents a major threat, particularly to high-value targets such as government bodies and diplomatic institutions. However, its use of stealthy delivery methods and powerful persistence techniques also makes it dangerous to everyday users. Although no clear symptoms may appear, the damage it causes behind the scenes can be devastating. If you suspect GRAPELOADER or any loader malware may have compromised your system, using a trusted anti-malware solution like SpyHunter is crucial for identifying and removing the threat.