How to get rid of ChainScript RAT

What kind of malware is ChainScript RAT?

ChainScript is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) written in Node.js that lets attackers secretly control infected Windows computers. It can run commands, handle files, take screenshots, look for cryptocurrency wallets, and install other malware.

The RAT was documented in September 2026 by the Adversary Pursuit Group at Blackpoint Cyber. According to their research, ChainScript is delivered via ClickFix lures and fake installers posing as Spotify, Zoom Workplace, and Microsoft Teams.

ChainScript RAT overview

The infection starts with a Windows installer (MSI file). Once launched, it runs a hidden PowerShell script that scatters the malware's components (including its own copy of Node.js) across folders with Microsoft-themed names, so they look like ordinary system files at a glance.

A small VBScript file then starts the main agent, which quietly runs in the background. It is worth noting that the installer runs under the current user's account. In other words, it does not need administrator permission and does not trigger a Windows prompt that might alert the victim.

How ChainScript uses the blockchain

ChainScript's most unusual trait is how it finds its Command and Control (C2) server. Instead of storing a fixed server address, it reads the current one from a smart contract on the Polygon blockchain. Researchers describe this as an EtherHiding-style technique.

Because blockchain records are public and hard to take down, the attackers can move to new servers simply by updating the contract. Infected computers pick up the new address automatically, so shutting down a single server does not cut off the victims. The agent then keeps a live connection to the server over WebSocket.

To make analysis harder, ChainScript also hides its configuration with several layers of encoding and waits a random 10 to 30 seconds before contacting the server for the first time. Blackpoint Cyber observed several build names (ComponentTask33, UpdateDigital, HostShared, and OrchidViolet66), all sharing the same core agent.

ChainScript's features

ChainScript gives attackers an interactive command prompt and PowerShell session on the infected machine, which means they can run practically any command. It can also browse, read, upload, overwrite, and delete files, as well as capture screenshots of the victim's desktop.

Another notable feature is a scan for cryptocurrency wallets, covering both desktop wallet apps and wallet extensions installed in web browsers. This makes the RAT especially dangerous for people who keep cryptocurrency on their computer.

On top of that, ChainScript can download and run further payloads (MSI installers, PowerShell or CMD scripts), execute arbitrary JavaScript code, update itself, and remove itself on command. As a result, a single infection can be used to deliver other malware, such as stealers or ransomware.

Persistence

To survive reboots, ChainScript creates a scheduled task that launches it every time the user logs in. If that does not work, it adds itself to the Run key in the Windows Registry as a fallback. Both methods work without administrator rights.

Conclusion

ChainScript gives cybercriminals broad control over an infected computer, from running commands and stealing files to hunting for cryptocurrency wallets and installing more malware. Its blockchain-based server lookup also makes it harder to disrupt. Victims risk financial loss, account hijacking, identity theft, and additional infections, so the RAT should be removed immediately. More examples of RATs are PEEP, DarkTortilla, and PollCat.

How did ChainScript RAT infiltrate my computer?

As reported by The Hacker News, ChainScript is being spread through ClickFix-style lures. These are deceptive web pages that show a fake verification check or error message and tell the visitor to open the Windows Run dialog (Win+R), paste a command, and press Enter. Doing so downloads and launches the malicious installer.

The installers are disguised as popular software, including Spotify, Zoom Workplace, and Microsoft Teams, and carry random-looking names such as ComponentTask33-4d14e6ac.msi or UpdateDigital-0c3c5204.msi. Users who believe they are setting up a familiar app end up infecting their own computer.

More generally, RATs like ChainScript are also distributed via phishing emails, malicious ads, fake download sites, pirated software and cracks, P2P networks, and fake updates. Malicious files usually arrive as archives, executables, MSI installers, documents, or scripts.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Never paste commands into the Run dialog, PowerShell, or a terminal because a website asks you to. No legitimate CAPTCHA or error fix works this way. Download software only from official websites and trusted app stores, and avoid cracks, key generators, and pirated programs.

Be careful with unexpected emails, attachments, and links, and ignore suspicious ads and pop-ups on questionable websites. Keep the operating system and installed apps up to date, and use reputable security software. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

How to remove malware manually?

Most trojan infections can be removed by running a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. The full manual procedure below is for cases where automatic removal failed, where you want to verify a scan caught everything, or where the threat has multiple persistence points.

Tools you'll need

Combo Cleaner Antivirus 7-days free trial

Recommended primary scanner. VB100 certified. The 7-day free trial is available.

Microsoft Defender Offline Free · built-in

Built into Windows. Boots to a clean environment to catch rootkits.

Process Explorer Free

From Microsoft Sysinternals. Better than Task Manager - shows full paths and signatures.

Autoruns Free

From Microsoft Sysinternals. Lists every place malware can persist on your system.

Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT) Free

Official Microsoft on-demand scanner. Always-current signatures - expires every 10 days.

Phase 1~ 5 min

Contain - limit the damage

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1

Disconnect from the network

30 secNo tool needed

Unplug your Ethernet cable and turn off Wi-Fi. If you're on a laptop, the airplane-mode key works fastest.

Why this matters

Many trojans exfiltrate data - saved browser passwords, banking sessions, screenshots - and accept remote commands. Cutting the network stops both immediately. Keep it disconnected until Phase 4.

2

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking

3 min

Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers and stops most malware from auto-running. "With Networking" lets you download tools - re-enable Wi-Fi only after you've booted in.

Windows 11

Open Settings → System → Recovery. Click Restart now next to Advanced startup.

Your computer will restart into the "Choose an option" menu. Click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. After the second reboot, press 5 or F5.

Windows 10

Click the Windows logo, hold Shift, click the Power icon and choose Restart. In the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. Press F5.

Windows 8

Go to the Start Screen, type Advanced, select Settings → Advanced startup options → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup settings → Restart → F5.

Note: Windows 8 reached end-of-life in January 2023 - running on it puts you at much higher risk of reinfection.

Windows 7

Click Start → Shut Down → Restart → OK. As the system boots, press F8 repeatedly until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, then choose Safe Mode with Networking.

Note: Windows 7 reached end-of-life in January 2020 - running on it puts you at much higher risk of reinfection.

Phase 2~ 15 min

Identify - find what's hiding

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3

Inspect running processes with Process Explorer

Tool: Process Explorer5 min

Download Process Explorer from Microsoft Sysinternals. Run it as Administrator. Click Options → Verify Image Signatures and View → Lower Pane View → DLLs.

Sort by "Verified Signer." Anything unsigned running from %AppData%, %LocalAppData%, %Temp%, or %ProgramData% is suspicious. Right-click → Properties to see the full image path. Right-click → "Search Online" to look up unfamiliar process names.

Why not just Task Manager

Task Manager hides full file paths, doesn't show digital signatures, and groups processes in ways that make malware easy to miss. Process Explorer is the same tool Microsoft engineers use.

4

Map every persistence point with Autoruns

Tool: Autoruns 14.x10 min

Download Autoruns. Right-click Autoruns.exe and choose Run as administrator - without elevation, Autoruns can't inspect protected registry hives.

In the menu, open Options → Hide Microsoft Entries and Options → Hide Empty Locations, then click Refresh.

Modern trojans don't just live in startup. Walk through these tabs and look for unsigned or unfamiliar entries:

• Logon - classic Run/RunOnce keys
• Scheduled Tasks - frequent hiding spot, especially tasks with PowerShell, MSHTA, or rundll32 actions
• Services - unsigned services in non-Microsoft folders
• WMI - Event Subscriptions are a stealthy persistence mechanism (MITRE T1546.003)
• Image Hijacks - Image File Execution Options "Debugger" abuse
• AppInit - DLLs loaded into every GUI process
• Browser plug-ins - unsigned add-ons across all installed browsers

Pro tip

Right-click any suspicious entry → "Jump to Image" to see the actual file. Right-click → "Search Online" opens VirusTotal for the file hash. Don't delete yet - just write down the file paths and entry names. We'll remove them after the scans.

5

Check the hosts file and DNS settings

3 minBuilt into Windows

Trojans often redirect bank, antivirus, and update domains to attacker-controlled servers by editing the hosts file or DNS settings.

Hosts file: Open Notepad as Administrator and open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Legitimate entries are commented with #. Any uncommented IP-to-domain mapping is suspicious - especially redirects for microsoft.com, windowsupdate, or your bank.

DNS settings: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run ipconfig /all. Confirm your DNS servers point to your ISP, your router, or a known public resolver (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Google 8.8.8.8). Then open Settings → Network & internet → [your adapter] → DNS server assignment and verify both DNS and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) settings haven't been hijacked.

Why this matters

A clean PC with hijacked DNS is still a compromised PC. You'll think you're at chase.com and you'll be at the attacker's clone.

Phase 3~ 60-90 min

Remove - three scans, one cleanup

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No single antivirus catches everything. The order below is intentional: offline scan first (catches rootkits before Windows fully loads), then on-demand scanners on the running system, then manual cleanup of anything they missed.

6

Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Tool: Built into Windows15 min

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. Your computer will restart into a stripped-down environment and scan before the full operating system loads.

Why this comes first

Rootkits and bootkits hide from any scanner running on the same Windows session that's already infected. A pre-boot offline scan sees the disk before the malware can hide itself.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

7

Run Combo Cleaner full system scan

Tool: Combo Cleaner20-40 min

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review the detected threats, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and registry persistence.

8

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Tool: Microsoft Safety Scanner15 min

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe), Microsoft's free on-demand tool. The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

Why a second scan

Different scanning engines catch different threats. Running an additional Microsoft scan after Combo Cleaner is the single most underused verification step in malware removal.

9

Manually remove anything still listed in Autoruns

Tool: Autoruns10 min

Reopen Autoruns. Anything you flagged in Step 4 that's still present hasn't been caught by the automated scans. For each remaining suspicious entry: right-click → Delete in Autoruns (this removes the persistence registration), then navigate to the file path and delete the actual file. Empty the Recycle Bin.

Important

Some malware files reappear after deletion because something else on the system recreates them. If you delete a file and it returns within minutes, you have a remaining persistence point that Autoruns didn't show - usually a service or scheduled task running under SYSTEM. Re-run the scans from Steps 6-8 or proceed to a clean install (see end of guide).

Phase 4~ 15 min

Recover - restore browsers and security

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10

Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

5 min

Trojans and adware frequently hijack browsers - change the default search engine, install rogue extensions, or grant themselves notification permissions to keep displaying scam pop-ups even after the malware is gone.

• Chrome: visit chrome://settings/reset and click "Restore settings to their original defaults." Then visit chrome://settings/content/notifications and remove any unfamiliar sites.
• Edge: visit edge://settings/reset. Then check edge://settings/content/notifications.
• Firefox: open about:support and click Refresh Firefox (Firefox uses "Refresh," not "Reset"). Then check Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications.

Review installed extensions in each browser and remove anything you don't recognize, especially extensions you didn't install yourself.

11

Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

10 min

Many trojans disable security software. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all turned on. Tamper Protection prevents malware from disabling Defender silently.

Then run Windows Update (Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates) and update your browsers and applications. The infection vector that let the trojan in originally usually involves outdated software.

Phase 5~ 15 min + 7 days

Verify & secure

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12

Change passwords from a clean device

20 min⚠ Critical

If the trojan was an info-stealer (Lumma, RedLine, Vidar, and similar are extremely common), assume every password saved in your browser is compromised. Change them from a different, known-clean device - your phone is fine if it's not infected.

Recommended order:

1. Primary email first - it's the recovery hub for everything else
2. Banking and financial accounts
3. Password manager master password (if you use one)
4. Social media, shopping, and remaining accounts

Where available, enable phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (passkeys / FIDO2 hardware keys / authenticator apps) - SMS-based MFA is bypassable by sophisticated attackers.

13

Verify the clean and monitor for 7 days

5 min + 1 week monitoring

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to the Startup apps tab - confirm nothing suspicious has reappeared.

Over the next 7 days, watch for symptom recurrence: unexpected high CPU usage, unknown processes returning, browser redirects, or pop-ups. If anything returns, you missed a persistence point and the procedure needs to be repeated - or you may have a deeper compromise that requires a clean install.

When to clean install Windows instead

Manual removal isn't always the right answer. Reinstalling Windows from scratch is the only way to be 100% certain when:

• The malware reappears after every removal attempt
• A bootkit or UEFI rootkit was detected (this class of threat sits below the operating system and survives a normal Windows reinstall)
• A confirmed credential-theft trojan ran with administrator privileges (Lumma, RedLine, Vidar) - the system likely has multiple unknown payloads
• The PC is used for online banking, business email, or anything where partial doubt isn't acceptable

A clean install is a 30-60 minute process: Windows 11 reinstall via Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything → Cloud download. Back up documents to external storage first, scan the backup with Combo Cleaner before restoring it, and reinstall applications fresh - never restore them from a backup of the infected system.

Important: Manual removal requires advanced computer skills. If you're not confident identifying system files from malicious files, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there - that path catches the vast majority of consumer trojans without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My computer is infected with ChainScript RAT malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

Formatting the drive would remove ChainScript, but it would also erase all of your files. Try a reputable security tool such as Combo Cleaner first and keep reformatting as a last resort.

What are the biggest issues that ChainScript RAT malware can cause?

ChainScript lets attackers run commands, steal or delete files, spy on the screen, find cryptocurrency wallets, and install more malware. This can lead to stolen funds, account takeover, identity theft, and further infections such as stealers or ransomware.

What is the purpose of ChainScript RAT malware?

The purpose of ChainScript is to give attackers hidden remote control over infected Windows computers so they can steal data, look for cryptocurrency wallets, and deploy additional payloads whenever they want.

How did ChainScript RAT malware infiltrate my computer?

ChainScript has been spread through ClickFix lures that trick users into running a command via the Run dialog, and through fake installers disguised as Spotify, Zoom Workplace, and Microsoft Teams. Threats of this kind also spread via phishing emails, fake download sites, pirated software, and malicious ads.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes. Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most known malware, including RATs. Since advanced threats can hide deep in the system, running a full system scan is recommended to make sure nothing is left behind.