Ransomware Research

WannaCry Fake Ransomware

WannaCry Fake is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on September 1, 2019, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: WannaCryFake, WannaFaker, WannaCryGeneric.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
WannaCry Fake
First Seen
September 1, 2019
Known Aliases
WannaCryFakeWannaFakerWannaCryGeneric

How WannaCry Fake Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

Fake -> only renames Full variant of extension -> .[12E53B0B[rescueme55@protonmail.com].NORD https://app.any.run/tasks/b5df1808-ce0b-452e-904d-cfdeaf19f35c https://app.any.run/tasks/87784ae5-33de-4a8b-b922-fa2e43620514/

File Encryption Patterns

WannaCry Fake modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

File extensions added after encryption:

..WannaCry..Snc..BlackRoot..ccc..AWT..WannaScream..harma..FOB..ADHUBLLKA..NORD..Bang..H@RM@..Cns

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

screenshot

Ransom message:

notes/W.jpg

Note locations:

Desktop
fileReadMe.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadMe.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
fileREADME.txt

Ransom message:

notes/README.txt

Note locations:

Temp
fileWannaScream.hta

Ransom message:

notes/WannaScream.hta

Note locations:

StartUpTemp
fileread_me.txt

Ransom message:

notes/read_me.txt
fileinfo.hta

Ransom message:

notes/info.hta

Note locations:

Desktop
fileinfo.txt

Ransom message:

notes/info.txt

Note locations:

RootDiscs

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with WannaCry Fake ransomware:

  • Windows Defender.exe
  • Runtime Broker.exe
  • runtime broker.exe
  • _2_.exe
  • Wanna Scream.exe
  • RUNTIME BROKER.EXE.HARMA
  • defender.exe
  • executable.exe
  • File encryption.exe

Recovery and Decryption Tools

Good news! Decryption tools are available for WannaCry Fake ransomware:

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About This Analysis

This WannaCry Fake 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 WannaCry Fake.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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