Ransomware Research

BrightNight Ransomware

BrightNight is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on April 1, 2023, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
BrightNight
First Seen
April 1, 2023

How BrightNight Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

readme.hta stored in /Users/Public/ folder

File Encryption Patterns

BrightNight modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

File extensions added after encryption:

..BrightNight

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

After encrypting files, BrightNight displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

fileREADME.txt

Ransom message:

notes/README.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
filereadme.hta

Ransom message:

notes/readme.hta

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with BrightNight ransomware:

  • night.exe

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About This Analysis

This BrightNight ransomware analysis is part of Elastio's comprehensive ransomware detection database. Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery solutions, helping organizations defend against and recover from ransomware attacks like BrightNight.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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