Hideproc
Table of Contents
Overview
Rootkit:Win32/Hideproc (or generic process hiding tool) is a highly sophisticated, kernel-level rootkit component designed to completely conceal the presence of malicious processes, files, and network connections from the Windows operating system and its security tools. It acts as an invisibility cloak for other malware, allowing devastating payloads (like banking trojans or advanced RATs) to operate unseen by standard antivirus and EDR solutions.
Understanding Rootkits and Hideproc
To an end-user, a machine infected with Hideproc and its accompanying payload might run perfectly normally, or exhibit unexplained sluggishness. For a SOC analyst, a kernel rootkit is a worst-case scenario. It subverts the very foundation of trust on the endpoint. If the operating system's kernel is compromised, no information reported by the Task Manager, Registry Editor, or standard AV engine can be trusted.
Execution and Evasion Strategies
Hideproc typically requires the attacker to have already escalated privileges to SYSTEM (`T1548.002`), often using an exploit or a UAC bypass. Once elevated, the malware loads a malicious driver (`.sys` file) into the Windows kernel space (`T1014`). This driver uses techniques like Direct Kernel Object Manipulation (DKOM) or API Hooking (intercepting calls to `ZwQuerySystemInformation`) to filter the results returned to user-mode applications (`T1562.001`). When the Task Manager asks the kernel for a list of running processes, the Hideproc rootkit intercepts the request and removes the attacker's malicious process from the list before returning the data. The malicious process is running, but the OS cannot see it.
Indicators of Compromise & Impact
The impact is deep, persistent, and entirely hidden compromise. Host-based IoCs are extremely difficult to find from within the live OS. They often require specialized rootkit scanners (like GMER), memory forensics, or offline analysis of the hard drive. EDR systems may detect the initial loading of the unsigned or maliciously signed kernel driver (`T1553.006`), but once loaded, the rootkit can blind the EDR. Network IoCs remain critical, as the rootkit cannot hide the actual packets leaving the machine on the wire.
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Observed techniques used by this family, mapped to our technical analysis hubs and the official MITRE ATT&CK framework:
| Technique | Name | Tactic | Official Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
T1014 | Rootkit (Kernel-level evasion) | Defense Evasion | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1562.001 | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools | Defense Evasion | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1548.002 | Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control (Required to install driver) | Privilege Escalation | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1553.006 | Subvert Trust Controls: Code Signing Policy Modification (Loading untrusted drivers) | Defense Evasion | ATT&CK ↗ |
MITRE D3FEND™ Defensive Countermeasures
Defensive techniques mapped to counter the offensive tradecraft observed in this family (via the MITRE D3FEND matrix):
| D3FEND ID | Countermeasure Name | Tactic | Countered ATT&CK | Defensive Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D3-KMC | Kernel Memory Integrity Checking | Harden | T1014 | Enable Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) and UEFI Secure Boot to prevent unsigned kernel driver execution. |
D3-STA | Security Tool Anti-Tamper Enforcement | Harden | T1562.001 | Block unauthorized modification of antivirus registry flags and prevent stopping security agent services. |
Tiered Detection Rules (Cisco CAIRN Model)
Modern threat detection requires multi-layered rule engineering. We classify detections into three operational tiers based on signal fidelity:
Tier 1 Primitive Artifact Rule (Fast Triage)
Matches raw strings and file markers. Vulnerable to binary repacking and simple obfuscation.
rule MALWARE_WIN_HIDEPROC_T1_ARTIFACT {
meta:
description = "Tier 1 Primitive Artifact: Raw string matches for Hideproc"
tier = "T1 - Primitive Artifact"
confidence = "Low-Medium (Fast Triage)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
$s1 = "hideproc" ascii wide nocase
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and any of them
}Tier 2 Behavioral Context Rule (Process Chains & Sigma)
Tracks parent-child process anomalies and suspicious scripting telemetry. Resilient against file renames.
title: SystemHelpDesk Detection - Hideproc (Trojan) Execution & Triage
id: e5341bca-63d7-5b34-b783-3c907d978808
status: production
description: Detects execution, defense evasion, and persistence behaviors associated
with the Hideproc malware family. Detects suspicious execution from temporary user
directories with hidden window flags and background transfer utilities.
references:
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/families/hideproc
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/defensive/downloader-dropper-protection
- https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/
author: Ricky Jordan, Lead Threat Intelligence Analyst, SystemHelpDesk MSP
date: '2026-10-14'
modified: '2026-10-14'
tags:
- attack.trojan
- author.ricky-jordan
- source.systemhelpdesk-mfc
- attack.t1553_006
- attack.t1014
- attack.t1562_001
- attack.t1548_002
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_process:
Image|endswith:
- \cmd.exe
- \powershell.exe
- \cscript.exe
- \wscript.exe
CommandLine|contains:
- AppData\Local\Temp
- -WindowStyle Hidden
- /e:jscript
- bitsadmin /transfer
condition: selection_process
falsepositives:
- Legitimate enterprise administrative scripts during approved change windows
- Authorized IT software deployment utilities and backup management agents
level: mediumTier 3 Attribution Fingerprint Rule (High Fidelity)
Deep signature matching distinctive operational fingerprints and payload characteristics.
rule MALWARE_WIN_HIDEPROC_T3_ATTRIBUTION {
meta:
description = "Tier 3 Attribution Fingerprint: Heuristic detection for Hideproc tradecraft"
tier = "T3 - Attribution Fingerprint"
confidence = "High (Confirmed Family Signature)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
// Core family identifier & heuristic payload signatures
$attrib_str = "hideproc" ascii wide nocase
$pe_magic = "MZ" ascii
$net_marker = "http" ascii nocase
condition:
uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and ($attrib_str and $net_marker) and filesize < 15MB
}Containment & Response Steps
Ordered checklist for responders. Adapt to your environment and engage professional support for active incidents.
- Immediately physically isolate the infected endpoint from the network to halt the unseen malicious activity.
- Do NOT attempt to remove a kernel rootkit from a live, running Windows environment, as the rootkit controls the OS; the system must be completely wiped and reimaged.
- Capture a full physical memory image (RAM dump) *before* powering off the machine, as this is the only reliable way to analyze the rootkit's hooks and the hidden payload.
- Investigate how the attacker gained the administrative privileges necessary to load a kernel driver in the first place.
What to Avoid
Common mistakes during response to this family that can destroy evidence, spread the infection, or worsen recovery.
- Do not trust output from standard command-line tools (like `tasklist` or `netstat`) on a machine suspected of a rootkit infection.
- Avoid relying on standard antivirus remediation to 'clean' a rootkit; a full OS reinstall is the only mathematically sound way to restore trust to the endpoint.
References & External Analysis
- Search "hideproc" on VirusTotal (External Analysis)
- Search "hideproc" on Any.Run (Sandbox Sandbox)
- Search "hideproc" on MalwareBazaar (Malware Samples)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hideproc and what threat category does it belong to?
Hideproc is classified as a Trojan. Documented across security telemetry, it is engineered to execute unauthorized operations, establish persistent footholds on target endpoints, and facilitate malicious campaigns targeting enterprise and individual environments.
How does Hideproc establish persistence and evade defensive controls?
Hideproc typically establishes persistence through registry run keys, scheduled tasks, or service installations, while evading signature-based antivirus solutions through code obfuscation, memory injection, or anti-analysis sandbox checks.
What are the essential incident response steps for mitigating a Hideproc compromise?
Security teams responding to Hideproc should immediately isolate affected endpoints from the network, perform memory triage to capture volatile forensic artifacts, audit registry and startup persistence mechanisms, revoke exposed user credentials, and restore systems from verified, clean backups.
What secondary payloads and staging behaviors are commonly associated with Hideproc?
Hideproc frequently operates as a loader or dropper designed to establish a foothold before downloading and executing secondary high-impact malware payloads. Depending on the threat actor's objectives, these dropped modules can range from ransomware and banking injects to modular infostealers and remote management backdoors.
How can security operations teams effectively detect and hunt for Hideproc across enterprise endpoints?
Defenders should hunt for Hideproc by deploying behavioral endpoint detection and response (EDR) rules that monitor suspicious process spawning (such as cmd.exe or powershell.exe spawned from office documents or temporary directories), anomalous outbound network connections from non-browser binaries, and unauthorized modifications to Windows Run keys and scheduled task registries.
How do I remove the Hideproc Trojan from Windows?
Manual removal of Hideproc is highly discouraged as it may leave persistence mechanisms intact. We recommend disconnecting the device from the internet and utilizing a professional incident response service or enterprise-grade EDR software to conduct a full forensic sweep.
Is Hideproc a virus or a Trojan?
Hideproc is classified as a Trojan. Unlike traditional viruses that infect files, modern malware like Hideproc typically operates as a standalone payload designed to compromise systems, steal data, or deploy secondary stage implants.
What are the main symptoms of a Hideproc infection?
Symptoms of Hideproc can include unexpected system slowness, unauthorized outbound network traffic to unknown IP addresses, disabled security software, and suspicious background processes running from AppData or Temp directories.
Protect Your Network Against Trojans
Want to prevent Hideproc and similar threats from compromising your organization? Read our comprehensive defensive guide: Banking Trojan Protection for Businesses.
📣 Threat Intel Correction or Update?
Notice an outdated IOC, unlisted alias, or disputed attribution? Threat researchers are invited to propose an update on GitHub or contact the SystemHelpDesk research desk. All community revisions are credited in our public CHANGELOG.
Machine-readable
Get this profile as JSON: https://malware-families-catalog.systemhelpdesk.com/api/hideproc.json
Ecosystem & Interactive Environments
This profile is part of the Malware Families Catalog, a public dataset of 2,899 malware families. The catalog is also published across our ecosystem: Hugging Face, Kaggle, Zenodo, Replit, StackBlitz, CodeSandbox, and CodePen.