Ransomware Research

CTF Ransomware

CTF is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on April 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
CTF
First Seen
April 1, 2017

How CTF Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..ctf

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

message

Ransom message:

notes/note.txt

Note locations:

OnceOnCompletion
screenshot

Ransom message:

notes/SWYgeW91IHdhbnQgdG8gZGVjcnlwdCB5b3VyIGZpbGVzLCB5b3Ugc2hvdWxkIGluc3BlY3QgaW50byB0aGUgZmlsZQ==.jpg

Note locations:

Desktop

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with CTF ransomware:

  • CTF.exe
  • Gov_Str.docx .exe
  • wp-admin

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About This Analysis

This CTF 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 CTF.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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