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:
deReadMe!!!.txt
Ransom message:
notes/deReadMe!!!.txt
Note locations:
Desktop
!!!!deReadMe!!!.txt
HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.txt
Ransom message:
notes/HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.txt
Note locations:
RootDiscs
Desktop
HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.rtf
Ransom message:
notes/HOW_CAN_GET_FILES_BACK.rtf
Note locations:
RootDiscs
Desktop
HOW_TO_GET_FILES_BACK.txt
LOOK_THIS_BACK_FILE.txt
LOOK_THIS_BACK_FILE.rtf
HOW_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
Elastio Can Help You
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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