Ransomware Research

Karmen Ransomware

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

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Karmen
First Seen
March 1, 2017

How Karmen ransomware works

File modification behavior

Karmen updates file modification timestamps after encryption.

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
  • .grt

Ransom note and payment demands

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

message
notes/note.txt

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Karmen ransomware:

  • joise.exe
  • NOTHERSPACE_USE.exe
  • ko.exe

About this analysis

This Karmen 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 Karmen.

Last updated: March 30, 2023

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Karmen inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Karmen across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a hunt against your recovery points to confirm.