Ransomware Research

Cerber Ransomware

Cerber is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on February 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Cerber
First Seen
February 1, 2016

How Cerber Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/2d08ffeba708fb833404d2c320ea4f29365c791d504181e08e3e9b529f5cf096?environmentId=1

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..cerber..cerber2..cerber3

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html

Ransom message:

notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt

Ransom message:

notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.url

Ransom message:

notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.url

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs

Ransom message:

notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file# HELP DECRYPT #.html

Ransom message:

notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.html

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file# HELP DECRYPT #.txt

Ransom message:

notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file# HELP DECRYPT #.url

Ransom message:

notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.url

Note locations:

EveryFolder

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Cerber ransomware:

  • instnm.exe
  • xwizard.exe
  • waitfor.exe
  • 1.exe
  • cerber_payload.exe
  • 2016-0-neutrino.mem.exe
  • icardagt.exe
  • cmdkey.exe
  • ReAgentc.exe
  • lodctr.exe
  • IBxpv.exe
  • dialer.exe
  • gpresult.exe
  • rdrleakdiag.exe
  • eventvwr.exe
  • play.exe

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About This Analysis

This Cerber 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 Cerber.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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