Ransomware Research

Erebus 2017 Ransomware

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

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Erebus 2017
First Seen
February 1, 2017

How Erebus 2017 Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

https://app.any.run/tasks/670d436b-cf93-4182-b04b-6fd47068d996/ Contains VM check Doesn't work on windows10+ (injects to Event Viewer process) Suffixes -> ROT13/ROT23 !!!

File Encryption Patterns

Erebus 2017 modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

File extensions added after encryption:

..ecrypt

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

After encrypting files, Erebus 2017 displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

fileREADME.HTML

Ransom message:

notes/README.HTML.txt

Note locations:

UserFolders

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Erebus 2017 ransomware:

  • myfile.exe
  • 1.exe
  • erebus.exe
  • gxyegj.exe
  • h2ATEgqmze.exe

Elastio Can Help You

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About This Analysis

This Erebus 2017 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 Erebus 2017.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

Erebus 2017 Ransomware - Detectable by Elastio