Redirected
Table of Contents
Overview
Behavior:Win32/Redirected is a severe **Heuristic Detection** that flags unauthorized changes to the system's network configuration aimed at intercepting, monitoring, or manipulating outbound web traffic. This behavior is typically exhibited by advanced adware, banking trojans, and sophisticated Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) spyware attempting to capture credentials or inject malicious content into legitimate websites.
Understanding Redirected (Traffic Proxying)
To an end-user, this behavior might manifest as SSL certificate errors on usually secure sites (like banks), inexplicably slow browsing speeds, or an overwhelming number of injected advertisements on legitimate pages. For a security analyst, a Redirected alert indicates a critical breach of network integrity (`T1562.004`). The malware has successfully positioned itself between the user's browser and the internet.
Execution and Hijacking Mechanics
Malware triggers this detection through several techniques. It may modify the system-wide Windows Proxy Settings via the Registry (`T1112`), forcing all browser traffic through a locally hosted proxy server controlled by the malware. Alternatively, it might install a malicious Root Certificate Authority (CA) into the Windows Certificate Store (`T1553.004`), allowing the local proxy to seamlessly decrypt, inspect, and re-encrypt HTTPS traffic (TLS inspection) without triggering browser warnings. The malware can then steal credentials or inject banking trojan 'web injects' (`T1185`).
Indicators of Compromise & Impact
The impact is a total loss of confidentiality for all web traffic originating from the endpoint. Host-based IoCs include EDR alerts for modifications to `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ProxyServer`, the unexpected installation of new Root Certificates, or unknown processes listening on local ports (like `127.0.0.1:8080`). Network IoCs might include all outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic routing to a single, unexpected external IP address.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
T1562.004 | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify System Firewall (Modifying Proxy Settings) | Defense Evasion | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1553.004 | Subvert Trust Controls: Install Root Certificate (Enabling MitM) | Defense Evasion | ATT&CK ↗ |
T1185 | Browser Session Hijacking (Injecting malicious content via local proxy) | Collection | ATT&CK ↗ |
Tactical Mitigations
Based on the techniques used by this family, consider the following defensive strategies:
- T1185: Enforce strong MFA and use browser isolation or hardened browsers for sensitive financial or administrative portals to defeat session hijacking.
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-MitBA | Man-in-the-Browser Analysis | Detect | T1185 | Deploy browser extension whitelisting and hardware-backed session binding to prevent rogue DOM and socket injection. |
D3-STA | Security Tool Anti-Tamper Enforcement | Harden | T1562.004 | Enable EDR Tamper Protection and Windows Defender Protected Process Light (PPL) to prevent service termination. |
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_REDIRECTED_T1_ARTIFACT {
meta:
description = "Tier 1 Primitive Artifact: Raw string matches for Redirected"
tier = "T1 - Primitive Artifact"
confidence = "Low-Medium (Fast Triage)"
author = "SystemHelpdesk Threat Research Desk"
date = "2026-10-14"
strings:
$s1 = "redirected" 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 - Redirected (Trojan) Execution & Triage
id: 6246dc20-9bdf-53b6-ad6b-512b6ea88542
status: production
description: Detects execution, defense evasion, and persistence behaviors associated
with the Redirected 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/redirected
- 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.t1562_004
- attack.t1553_004
- attack.t1185
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_REDIRECTED_T3_ATTRIBUTION {
meta:
description = "Tier 3 Attribution Fingerprint: Heuristic detection for Redirected 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 = "redirected" 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 isolate the endpoint; all communications, including credentials typed into secure websites, are actively being intercepted.
- Open the Windows Internet Options and manually disable any unauthorized proxy server settings.
- Audit the Windows Certificate Manager (`certmgr.msc`) and remove any suspicious or recently installed Root Certificate Authorities.
- Initiate an enterprise-wide password reset for the user, assuming all recently used credentials have been compromised via the MitM attack.
What to Avoid
Common mistakes during response to this family that can destroy evidence, spread the infection, or worsen recovery.
- Do not allow the user to log into any corporate portals until the proxy settings and rogue certificates are completely removed.
- Avoid assuming a simple AV scan will fix the issue; AVs often miss the rogue Root Certificates which must be removed manually.
References & External Analysis
- Search "redirected" on VirusTotal (External Analysis)
- Search "redirected" on Any.Run (Sandbox Sandbox)
- Search "redirected" on MalwareBazaar (Malware Samples)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Redirected and what threat category does it belong to?
Redirected 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 Redirected establish persistence and evade defensive controls?
Redirected 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 Redirected compromise?
Security teams responding to Redirected 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 Redirected?
Redirected 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 Redirected across enterprise endpoints?
Defenders should hunt for Redirected 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 Redirected Trojan from Windows?
Manual removal of Redirected 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 Redirected a virus or a Trojan?
Redirected is classified as a Trojan. Unlike traditional viruses that infect files, modern malware like Redirected typically operates as a standalone payload designed to compromise systems, steal data, or deploy secondary stage implants.
What are the main symptoms of a Redirected infection?
Symptoms of Redirected 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 Redirected 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/redirected.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.