Ransomware Research

Cerber-2 Ransomware

Cerber-2 is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Cerber-2
First Seen
October 1, 2016

How Cerber-2 Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

Cerber-2 modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

File extensions added after encryption:

./\.[a-f0-9]{4}/..8804

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

After encrypting files, Cerber-2 displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

file/_READ_THI\$_FILE_[A-Z0-F]{4,8}_\.hta$/

Ransom message:

notes/_READ_THI$_FILE_OODDY6P_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/_READ_THI\$_FILE_[A-Z0-F]{4,8}_\.jpeg$/

Ransom message:

notes/_READ_THI$_FILE_YWN62_.jpeg

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/_HELP_HELP_HELP_[A-Z0-F]{4,8}_\.hta$/

Ransom message:

notes/_HELP_HELP_HELP_EJZU_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/_HELP_HELP_HELP_[A-Z0-F]{4,8}_\.png$/

Ransom message:

notes/_HELP_HELP_HELP_2W2YM_.png

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/_READ_THI\$_FILE_[A-Z0-F]{4,8}_\.txt$/

Ransom message:

notes/_READ_THI$_FILE_OVR29CE_.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S___[A-Z0-9]{4,8}_\.hta$/

Ransom message:

notes/_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S___ROKNJX_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S___[A-Z0-9]{4,8}_\.txt$/

Ransom message:

notes/_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S___7PUZ_.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_[A-Z]{6}_README_\.hta$/

Ransom message:

notes/_VKTUBZ_README_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_[A-Z]{6}_README_\.jpg$/

Ransom message:

notes/_VKTUBZ_README_.jpg

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_HELP_DECRYPT_[A-Z]{4}\_.hta$/

Ransom message:

notes/_HELP_DECRYPT_ERMZ_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_HELP_DECRYPT_[A-Z]{4}\_.jpg$/

Ransom message:

notes/_HELP_DECRYPT_ERMZ_.jpg

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_README_[A-Z0-9]{4,8}_\.hta$/

Ransom message:

notes/_README_0BEU9E_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_README_[A-Z0-9]{4,8}_\.jpg$/

Ransom message:

notes/_README_0BEU9E_.jpg

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file_README_.hta

Ransom message:

notes/_README_.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
screenshot

Ransom message:

notes/tmp58BA.jpeg

Note locations:

Desktop

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Cerber-2 ransomware:

  • Parameter.exe
  • chrome_update.exe
  • Straightness.exe
  • encrypted.exe
  • 3pKypdB8nN.mht
  • Acotyledon.exe
  • a274cab.png
  • e1b.png
  • d693.png
  • de4709440eb4ca2.png
  • 3e45d6ff43.png
  • 8e6fc462782c0.png
  • 2e4bee.png
  • cb137e229.png
  • a1.exe
  • vEER3.7z
  • SmartRAM.exe

Recovery and Decryption Tools

Good news! Decryption tools are available for Cerber-2 ransomware:

0

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About This Analysis

This Cerber-2 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-2.

Last updated: October 30, 2025

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