How to remove PipeMagic

What is PipeMagic

PipeMagic is a sophisticated strain of malware that has been actively used in cyberattacks since 2022, primarily targeting Windows systems. This plugin-based Trojan is known for its role in exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, such as the CVE-2025-29824, a privilege escalation flaw within the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS). Attackers often deploy PipeMagic using malicious scripts or files downloaded from compromised websites, utilizing tools like the cert utility to initiate the attack. Once executed, PipeMagic can escalate privileges to SYSTEM-level, allowing cybercriminals to take control of the infected machine by injecting unsafe processes into SYSTEM processes. It has been linked to various ransomware campaigns, including those deploying Nokoyawa and RansomEXX ransomware, which encrypts system files and demands a ransom. The malware’s ability to exploit memory corruption and overwrite exploit process tokens highlights its dangerous potential. Organizations are urged to patch known vulnerabilities promptly, monitor for signs of compromise, and enforce strict access controls to defend against such threats.

How PipeMagic infected your system

PipeMagic is a sophisticated malware strain that primarily infects computers through exploitation of vulnerabilities, notably within the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS). Attackers often initiate the infection by leveraging zero-day vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2025-29824, to gain SYSTEM-level privileges. This privilege escalation is achieved by exploiting memory corruption, allowing the malware to inject malicious processes into legitimate system processes. The infection process often begins with the attackers using the cert utility to download a malicious MSBuild file from a compromised website, which contains an encrypted payload that launches PipeMagic. Once executed, PipeMagic facilitates further attacks by extracting user credentials and deploying ransomware payloads, effectively taking control of the infected system. As a plugin-based Trojan, PipeMagic has been actively used in various campaigns since 2022, demonstrating its adaptability and resilience in compromising systems.

1. Download PipeMagic Removal Tool
2. Use Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove PipeMagic
3. Use Autoruns to remove PipeMagic
4. Files, folders and registry keys of PipeMagic
5. Other aliases of PipeMagic
6. How to protect from threats, like PipeMagic

Remove PipeMagic manually

Manual removal of PipeMagic by inexperienced users may become a difficult task because it does not create entries in Add/Remove Programs under Control Panel, does not install browser extensions, and uses random file names. However, there are pre-installed instruments in the Windows system, that allow you to detect and remove malware without using third-party applications. One of them is Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It comes with Windows Update in Windows 11, 10, 8. 8.1. For older operating system you can download it here: 64-bit version | 32-bit version.

Remove PipeMagic using Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

1. Type mrt in the search box near Start Menu.
2. Run mrt clicking on found item.
3. Click Next button.
4. Choose one of the scan modes Quick scan, Full scan, Customize scan (Full scan recommended).
5. Click Next button.
6. Click on View detailed results of the scan link to view the scan details.
7. Click Finish button.

Remove PipeMagic using Autoruns

PipeMagic often sets up to run at Windows startup as an Autorun entry or Scheduled task.

1. Download Autoruns using this link.
2. Extract the archive and run Autoruns.exe file.
3. In Options menu make sure there are checkboxes near Hide Empty Locations, Hide Microsoft Entries, and Hide Windows Entries.
4. Search for suspicious entries with weird names or running from locations like: C:\{username}\AppData\Roaming.
5. Right-click on suspicious entry and choose Delete. This will prevent the threat to run at startup.
6. Switch to Scheduled Tasks tab and do the same.
7. To remove files themselves, click on suspicious entries and choose Jump to Entry…. Remove files or registry keys found.

Remove files, folder and registry keys of PipeMagic

PipeMagic files and folders


{randomname}.exe


PipeMagic registry keys


no information


Aliases of PipeMagic

How to protect from threats, like PipeMagic, in future

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove PipeMagic. However, if you got infected with PipeMagic with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from PipeMagic on all levels (browser, e-mail attachments, Word or Excel scripts, file system) we recommend a leading provider of internet security solutions – BitDefender. Its solutions both for home and business users proved to be one of the most advanced and effective. Choose and get your BitDefender protection via the button below:

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