{
  "family": "cryptowire",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nCryptowire is a variant of destructive Ransomware designed to infiltrate corporate networks, rapidly encrypt critical file systems, and demand a cryptocurrency payment for the decryption key. It represents a severe, immediate threat to business continuity, often leveraging sophisticated evasion techniques to bypass endpoint security before initiating its encryption routine.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nCryptowire typically gains access to a network through compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections (via brute-forcing or purchased credentials), malicious phishing attachments, or by exploiting public-facing vulnerabilities on edge devices.\n\nOnce inside the network, Cryptowire executes a devastating attack chain:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Defense Evasion:</strong> The malware actively attempts to terminate endpoint security services, disable Windows Defender, and crucially, delete Volume Shadow Copies (`vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet`) to prevent easy, local data restoration.</li>\n<li><strong>Rapid Encryption:</strong> It utilizes strong cryptographic algorithms (typically AES paired with an asymmetric key like RSA) to encrypt user files, databases, and network shares. The encrypted files are appended with a specific extension (e.g., `.cryptowire` or `.locked`), and a ransom note is dropped into every affected directory.</li>\n<li><strong>Lateral Movement:</strong> Before triggering the final encryption payload, attackers often manually deploy tools like Cobalt Strike or Mimikatz alongside Cryptowire to dump credentials and move laterally, aiming to compromise the Domain Controller to push the ransomware globally across the enterprise.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nA Cryptowire infection is a catastrophic security incident that immediately halts business operations. It poses an existential threat to the organization through severe data loss, extended downtime, potential regulatory fines, and reputational damage.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immediate Network Segmentation:</strong> Do not simply turn off the machines, as this destroys volatile memory forensics. Instantly sever the network connection of all infected machines (and the Domain Controller if compromised) from the internet and the rest of the LAN to halt lateral movement and data exfiltration.</li>\n<li><strong>Engage Incident Response:</strong> Immediately engage specialized third-party Incident Response and legal counsel. Do not attempt to negotiate with the threat actors without professional guidance.</li>\n<li><strong>Eradication and Recovery:</strong> Eradicating ransomware requires a complete infrastructure rebuild. All affected machines must be wiped to bare metal and rebuilt from known-good, offline backups. All enterprise credentials must be rotated globally.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Ransomware.Cryptowire",
    "Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Cryptowire",
    "Cryptolocker.Wire"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1486",
    "T1490",
    "T1012",
    "T1078"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:36:34Z",
  "type": "Ransomware",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}