{
  "family": "ransim",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nRanSim (Ransomware Simulator) is technically a benign security testing tool designed by KnowBe4 to simulate ransomware behavior on endpoints. However, because its core function is to mimic the rapid file-encryption behaviors of actual ransomware (to test if local AV/EDR solutions can block it), it is frequently flagged by security software as \"HackTool\" or generic ransomware. While the tool itself is not malicious, its presence must be carefully contextualized.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nRanSim is not \"infectious.\" It must be intentionally downloaded and executed by a user, typically a system administrator or security analyst running a controlled test. \n\nUpon execution, RanSim simulates various ransomware tactics:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Behavioral Mimicry:</strong> The tool executes several distinct scenarios, mimicking the specific file iteration and encryption patterns of notorious ransomware families (like Cryptolocker, Locky, or WannaCry) on a set of dummy test files.</li>\n<li><strong>No True Encryption:</strong> Crucially, RanSim only \"encrypts\" temporary test files it creates in a specific directory. It does not touch legitimate user data or system files.</li>\n<li><strong>Evasion Testing:</strong> It tests whether the installed endpoint protection relies solely on static signatures or if it can successfully detect and block anomalous, rapid encryption behavior (heuristics).</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nRanSim itself poses zero threat to data availability or confidentiality. The \"threat\" is operational: if deployed widely without notifying the Security Operations Center (SOC), the simulated encryption behaviors can trigger massive cascades of high-severity alerts, causing panic and wasting incident response resources.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Contextual Verification:</strong> If a RanSim alert triggers, immediately verify if an authorized security test or audit is currently underway. Check the path of the executable (usually explicitly named KnowBe4 RanSim).</li>\n<li><strong>Safe Handling:</strong> If the tool was downloaded by an unauthorized user (e.g., a curious employee), simply delete the executable. No complex remediation or re-imaging is required.</li>\n<li><strong>Whitelist Configuration:</strong> If RanSim is used for regular testing, coordinate with the SOC to temporarily whitelist the tool's specific hash or execution path to prevent alert fatigue.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "HackTool.RanSim",
    "Riskware.RansomwareSimulator",
    "Win32/RanSim"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1486"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:08:57Z",
  "type": "HackTool / Simulator",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}