{
  "family": "autocleanpro",
  "sample_count": 2,
  "category": "trojan",
  "description": "Autocleanpro (classified in antivirus detection telemetry under designations including Trojan:Win32/Autocleanpro, Trojan.Win32.Autocleanpro, and Win32/Autocleanpro) is a multi-stage trojan engineered to disguise itself as legitimate software, execute unauthorized commands, and coordinate with external command-and-control infrastructure. Disseminated across enterprise networks and consumer workstations via social engineering, phishing attachments, malicious drive-by downloads, or weaponized software cracks, Autocleanpro executes an initial reconnaissance phase upon system ingress. The binary evaluates host privileges, detects active hypervisors and sandbox environments to evade behavioral analysis, and establishes resilient autostart persistence by configuring registry keys under HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run or registering background Windows services. Operational mechanics characteristic of this family include deceptive executable masquerading, registry run key autostart, system telemetry gathering, and remote C2 beaconing. Outbound communication is established with remote threat actor infrastructure to beacon operational status and receive tasking, posing significant security risks to data integrity and host availability.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk Threat Intelligence Team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Trojan:Win32/Autocleanpro",
    "Trojan.Win32.Autocleanpro",
    "Win32/Autocleanpro"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "curated_sourced",
  "faq": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What is Trojan:Win32/Autocleanpro?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Autocleanpro is a trojan threat designed to infiltrate Windows systems and execute unauthorized operations without user consent."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How does Autocleanpro compromise target systems?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "It commonly infiltrates systems via phishing emails, trojanized software installers, exploit kits, or unpatched vulnerabilities."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What persistence mechanisms does Autocleanpro utilize?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "It typically creates autostart entries in the Windows Registry (HKCU/HKLM Run keys), registers scheduled tasks, or installs hidden background services."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What risks does Autocleanpro pose to an enterprise?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "It can lead to credential theft, system manipulation, unauthorized remote access, data loss, or secondary malware delivery."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How can administrators detect and eliminate Autocleanpro?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Deploy modern EDR solutions with updated behavioral signatures, isolate infected endpoints, audit autostart persistence entries, and conduct full antimalware scans."
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq_count": 5,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1059.003",
    "T1027",
    "T1547.001",
    "T1071.001",
    "T1105"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-10-16",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1189",
      "name": "Drive-by Compromise (Distribution via deceptive pop-up ads and bundles)",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1053.005",
      "name": "Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task (Ensuring the fake scanner runs constantly)",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1562.001",
      "name": "Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (Disabling taskmgr to prevent termination)",
      "tactic": "Defense Evasion"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Boot the system into Safe Mode to prevent the Autocleanpro scheduled tasks from executing and blocking removal tools.",
    "Use the standard Windows 'Programs and Features' control panel to uninstall the rogue software.",
    "Run a comprehensive scan with a reputable Adware/Malware removal tool (like Malwarebytes) to clean up residual registry keys and restored disabled system tools.",
    "Educate users that legitimate system alerts come from the Action Center/Windows Defender, not third-party 'cleaner' pop-ups."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Under no circumstances should you enter credit card information or pay for the 'premium' version; this will not fix the computer and exposes you to credit card fraud.",
    "Avoid clicking on banner ads that claim your PC is infected or needs a 'speed boost'."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ],
  "attack_stage": [
    "execution",
    "persistence"
  ],
  "ecosystem": [
    "windows_pe"
  ],
  "is_emerging": false,
  "sources": [
    {
      "name": "Microsoft Defender Threat Encyclopedia - Trojan:Win32/Autocleanpro",
      "url": "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/malware-encyclopedia-description?Name=Trojan:Win32/Autocleanpro"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kaspersky Threat Intelligence - Trojan.Win32.Autocleanpro",
      "url": "https://threats.kaspersky.com/en/threat/"
    },
    {
      "name": "MITRE ATT&CK - Enterprise Techniques",
      "url": "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059.003/"
    }
  ],
  "target_platforms": [
    "Windows 11",
    "Windows 10",
    "Windows 7"
  ]
}