What is Sakura RAT

Sakura RAT is a sophisticated remote access trojan designed to provide cybercriminals with full control over compromised Windows systems. Distributed largely via GitHub repositories—often hidden within build scripts and project files—Sakura RAT is associated with the financially-motivated threat actor “Water Curse.” Once installed, it employs advanced anti-detection and anti-analysis techniques, such as disabling Microsoft Defender, bypassing User Account Control (UAC), and ensuring persistence through scheduled tasks and registry modifications. Sakura RAT harvests a wide range of sensitive data, including system information, network details, browser credentials, messenger data, and even files from developer and AI chatbot accounts. It is capable of in-memory payload execution, hidden desktop and browser access, screenshot capture, and theft of stored passwords and cookies. The malware also targets system recovery options by deleting Volume Shadow Copies and modifying registry keys to prevent the use of System Restore. Its stealthy nature means victims are unlikely to notice obvious symptoms, increasing the risk of prolonged data theft and privacy compromise. Constant updates and feature improvements by its developers mean that future variants could introduce even more destructive capabilities.

Sakura RAT

How Sakura RAT infected your system

Sakura RAT, a potent Remote Access Trojan, infiltrates computers through a sophisticated multi-stage infection chain. Initially, it often masquerades within GitHub repositories, hidden in build scripts and project files related to software development and cybersecurity tools. Once a user downloads and executes a compromised file, the RAT deploys obfuscated VBS and PowerShell scripts to evade detection and establish a foothold. It further proliferates through common vectors such as phishing emails, malicious attachments, and social engineering tactics, exploiting users’ trust to gain access. By executing payloads directly in-memory, Sakura RAT not only secures its persistence by modifying system settings like the Windows Registry but also disables security features like Microsoft Defender. This allows the malware to stealthily conduct data exfiltration, steal sensitive information, and perform remote operations, posing significant risks to user privacy and system integrity.

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

Download Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Sakura RAT completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It can help you remove files, folders, and registry keys of Sakura RAT and provides active protection from viruses, trojans, backdoors. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Download Alternative Removal Tool

Download Norton Antivirus

To remove Sakura RAT completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Sakura RAT and several millions of other malware, like viruses, trojans, backdoors.

Remove Sakura RAT manually

Manual removal of Sakura RAT 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 Sakura RAT 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 Sakura RAT using Autoruns

Sakura RAT 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 Sakura RAT

Sakura RAT files and folders


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Sakura RAT registry keys


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Aliases of Sakura RAT

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How to protect from threats, like Sakura RAT, in future

bitdefender internet security

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Sakura RAT. However, if you got infected with Sakura RAT with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Sakura RAT 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:

Download BitDefender
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James Kramer
Hello, I'm James. My website Bugsfighter.com, a culmination of a decade's journey in the realms of computer troubleshooting, software testing, and development. My mission here is to offer you comprehensive, yet user-friendly guides across a spectrum of topics in this niche. Should you encounter any challenges with the software or the methodologies I endorse, please know that I am readily accessible for assistance. For any inquiries or further communication, feel free to reach out through the 'Contacts' page. Your journey towards seamless computing starts here