Type
File Name
Location
APEX was first discovered in May 2025 in enterprise cloud environments.
Name
APEX
First Seen
May 2025
APEX is known to target specific file types. Below are all known file types that APEX is known to infect.
In some cases, ransomware will update the modified date, when it encrypts files. APEX updates the last modified date of the file it targets.
Some ransomware will change or append a suffix to the end of the file after they are encrypted, including changing the extension of a file. Here are some of the possible suffixes that APEX ransomware is known to change.
Suffixes
.Apex
Not all ransomware leaves a note. However, some ransomware leaves the infected party instructions on what the user should do to get rid of the ransomware, or satisfy the ransom. This often involves transferring money, often bitcoin or another cryptocurrency to a designated wallet.
Below are the type(s) of notes, content, and typical locations where Elastio has found ransom notes from APEX.
Type File Name Location file APEXNOTE.txt UserFolders, Roaming screenshot Desktop
These are the names of the executables that contain the undetonated ransomware payload for APEX.
Executables
ConsoleApp2.exe, discord.exe, ASetup.exe
Ransomware often links to external pages such as payment pages, telegram contacts, etc. Below are some of the URLs Elastio has found to be associated with APEX.
External Pages
