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ccf32 is a Windows malware utility associated with automated file collection, local staging, remote staging, and exfiltration of data from compromised hosts. Its observed behavior centers on gathering files from victim systems, temporarily storing them in hidden directories, archiving the collected material, and transferring it onward for theft. The malware creates hidden directories on infected systems, including directories named according to the local date, to conceal staged data from users and defenders. It can also determine the local time on a target, which is used in its directory-naming and operational workflow.
For collection and staging, ccf32 can automatically gather files from a compromised machine and store them locally before transfer. It has been observed using archive creation workflows involving 7z-formatted output and copying staged archives to remote machines that were already compromised with Chinoxy or another backdoor, indicating use in multi-host collection and intermediate staging operations. ccf32 can also upload collected files to an FTP server for exfiltration.
The malware supports persistence and recurring execution through Windows Scheduled Tasks, allowing it to run on a daily basis. It also includes cleanup capability, being able to delete files and folders from compromised systems. The combination of hidden local staging, scheduled execution, automated collection, remote staging, archiving, and FTP-based exfiltration indicates a purpose-built collection-and-exfiltration tool used in post-compromise operations on Windows systems.
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17 distinct techniques documented for this family, organized by ATT&CK tactic.
“Sandworm Team leveraged Scheduled Tasks through a Group Policy Object (GPO) to execute CaddyWiper at a predetermined time.” / “APT29 used scheduler and schtasks to create new tasks on remote host as part of their lateral movement… updating an existing legitimate task to execute their tools and then returned the scheduled task to its original configuration.”
During the 2022 Ukraine Electric Power Attack, Sandworm Team leveraged Scheduled Tasks through a Group Policy Object (GPO) to execute CaddyWiper at a predetermined time.
During the 2016 Ukraine Electric Power Attack, Sandworm Team used the xp_cmdshell command in MS-SQL. During the 2025 Poland Wiper Attacks, the adversaries leveraged PsExec to run cmd.exe commands on multiple victim machines. Numerous malware families and groups are described as using cmd.exe, cmd /c, Windows command shell, or command-line interfaces to execute commands, payloads, reconnaissance, persistence, cleanup, and ransomware actions.
“Sandworm Team leveraged Scheduled Tasks through a Group Policy Object (GPO) to execute CaddyWiper at a predetermined time.” / “APT29 used scheduler and schtasks to create new tasks on remote host as part of their lateral movement… updating an existing legitimate task to execute their tools and then returned the scheduled task to its original configuration.”
“Sandworm Team leveraged Scheduled Tasks through a Group Policy Object (GPO) to execute CaddyWiper at a predetermined time.” / “APT29 used scheduler and schtasks to create new tasks on remote host as part of their lateral movement… updating an existing legitimate task to execute their tools and then returned the scheduled task to its original configuration.”
The content repeatedly describes malware and threat actors listing files and directories, enumerating drives, searching for files by extension/name/path, retrieving file metadata, and browsing file systems (for example: "APT28 has used Forfiles to locate PDF, Excel, and Word documents during collection" and "cmd can be used to find files and directories with native functionality such as dir commands").
Multiple malware and threat groups are described as collecting/deriving local system time, date, timestamp, tick count, or time zone (e.g., "used time /t and net time \ip/hostname for system time discovery"; "collects the timestamp from the victim’s machine"; "can collect the time zone information from the system").
Confucius has used a file stealer to steal documents and images... Patchwork developed a file stealer to search C:\ and collect files with certain extensions... Winter Vivern delivered a PowerShell script capable of recursively scanning victim machines looking for various file types before exfiltrating identified files via HTTP.
The content repeatedly describes adversaries and malware storing collected data, command output, credentials, archives, or files in local temporary folders, working directories, hidden directories, registry locations, recycle bins, or specific files prior to exfiltration.
Agrius used a custom tool, sql.net4.exe, to query SQL databases and then identify and extract personally identifiable information... AppleSeed has automatically collected data from USB drives, keystrokes, and screen images before exfiltration... Ember Bear engages in mass collection from compromised systems during intrusions.
Multiple actors and tools are described as using 7-Zip/WinRAR/zip/tar/gzip/makecab/PowerShell Compress-Archive to compress (often password-protect/encrypt) collected data prior to exfiltration (e.g., “used 7zip to archive extracted data in preparation for exfiltration”, “created password-protected RAR archives prior to exfiltration”, “used built-in PowerShell capabilities (Compress-Archive cmdlet) to compress collected data”).
15 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A named malware/tool referenced as copying files to a remote machine infected with another backdoor.
Malware that can be configured to run daily via scheduled task.
Collects files automatically from a compromised host.
Malware capable of uploading collected data and files to an FTP server.
Match every observed IP, domain, and hash against your live telemetry.
Named campaigns wielding this family, with evidence pinned to each claim.
CVEs this family uses for access and lateral movement.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Every documented technique, ranked by evidence weight.
Reddit, Mastodon, and CTI community discussion around this family.