Cerber-2 Ransomware
Cerber-2 is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick facts
How Cerber-2 ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Cerber-2 modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Cerber-2 displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/_READ_THI$_FILE_OODDY6P_.hta
notes/_READ_THI$_FILE_YWN62_.jpeg
notes/_HELP_HELP_HELP_EJZU_.hta
notes/_HELP_HELP_HELP_2W2YM_.png
notes/_READ_THI$_FILE_OVR29CE_.txt
notes/_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S___ROKNJX_.hta
notes/_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S___7PUZ_.txt
notes/_VKTUBZ_README_.hta
notes/_VKTUBZ_README_.jpg
notes/_HELP_DECRYPT_ERMZ_.hta
notes/_HELP_DECRYPT_ERMZ_.jpg
notes/_README_0BEU9E_.hta
notes/_README_0BEU9E_.jpg
notes/_README_.hta
notes/README.hta
notes/tmp58BA.jpeg
notes/tmpA14.png
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Cerber-2 ransomware:
- Parameter.exe
- chrome_update.exe
- Straightness.exe
- encrypted.exe
- 3pKypdB8nN.mht
- Acotyledon.exe
- a274cab.png
- e1b.png
- d693.png
- de4709440eb4ca2.png
- 3e45d6ff43.png
- 8e6fc462782c0.png
- 2e4bee.png
- cb137e229.png
- a1.exe
- vEER3.7z
- SmartRAM.exe
Recovery and decryption tools
Decryption tools may be available for Cerber-2. Review the resources below:
About this analysis
This Cerber-2 ransomware analysis is part of Elastio's comprehensive ransomware detection database. Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery, helping organizations defend against and recover from ransomware attacks like Cerber-2.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects Cerber-2 inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Cerber-2 across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a scan against your recovery points to confirm.
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