CCleaner Backdoor

aliases

Last seen:Mar 17, 2026

Intelligence Profile

According to CrowdStrike, this backdoor was discovered embedded in the legitimate, signed version of CCleaner 5.33, and thus constitutes a supply chain attack.

Threat Analysis

CCleaner Backdoor is a known-sophistication threat actor of undetermined national origin, engaged in cyber operations with a primary motivation of unknown activity patterns.

External References

→http://blog.morphisec.com/morphisec-discovers-ccleaner-backdoor

→http://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/09/avast-distributes-malware.html

→http://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/09/ccleaner-c2-concern.html

→http://www.intezer.com/evidence-aurora-operation-still-active-part-2-more-ties-uncovered-between-ccleaner-hack-chinese-hackers/

→http://www.intezer.com/evidence-aurora-operation-still-active-supply-chain-attack-through-ccleaner/

Quick Facts

TypeAPT / Threat Group

Aliases3

Also Known As

DIRTCLEANERCCleaner Backdoorwin.ccleaner_backdoor

External Intelligence

Malpedia: win.ccleaner_backdoor

Research Links

MITRE ATT&CK VirusTotal Google (news) Twitter/X search

Data sourced from Malpedia, Ransomware.live, RansomLook, and CTIWATCH OSINT collection. Actor attribution is based on available intelligence and may be incomplete.

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