Ransomware Research

Cring Ransomware

Cring is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on December 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Cring Hand, Crypt3r.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Cring
First Seen
December 1, 2020
Known Aliases
Cring HandCrypt3r

How Cring Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

0fdecd6d7d472011098746f5d8c245a9dfa0a56e9366814c5c2a29720915c89b -> CobaltStrike binary f7d270ca0f2b4d21830787431f881cd004b2eb102cc3048c6b4d69cb775511c8 needs param cc to start encryption 98eb1b7b7ba17e72f08da1f627e7b56edf55356876e266c7eaff616cf041f925 needs param rsa

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..cring..RSA..jpghosts..phantom..VnBeHa99y..pay4it..lldc..locked..sg-ghosts..just4money

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

filedeReadMe!!!.txt

Ransom message:

notes/deReadMe!!!.txt

Note locations:

Desktop
file!!!!deReadMe!!!.txt
fileHOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.txt

Ransom message:

notes/HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.txt

Note locations:

RootDiscsDesktop
fileHOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.rtf

Ransom message:

notes/HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.rtf

Note locations:

RootDiscsDesktop
fileHOW_TO_GET_FILES_BACK.txt
fileLOOK_THIS_BACK_FILE.txt
fileLOOK_THIS_BACK_FILE.rtf
fileHOW_CAN_RECOVERY.txt

Ransom message:

notes/HOW_CAN_RECOVERY.txt

Note locations:

Desktop

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Cring ransomware:

  • cring.exe
  • 848299.exe
  • SchoolPrject1.exe
  • Ghost.exe
  • Ghost-cleaned.exe!
  • Jpghosts.log
  • Pcest.bin

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About This Analysis

This Cring 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 Cring.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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