Common Ransomware Notes
The following analytic detects the creation of files with names commonly associated with ransomware notes. It leverages file-system activity data from the Endpoint Filesystem data model, typically populated by…
Description
The following analytic detects the creation of files with names commonly associated with ransomware notes. It leverages file-system activity data from the Endpoint Filesystem data model, typically populated by endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools or Sysmon logs. This activity is significant because ransomware notes indicate a potential ransomware attack, which can lead to data encryption and extortion. If confirmed malicious, this activity could result in significant data loss, operational disruption, and financial impact due to ransom demands. Note that this analytic relies on a lookup table (ransomware_notes_lookup) that contains known ransomware note file names. Ensure that this lookup table is regularly updated to include new ransomware note file names as they are identified in the threat landscape. Also this analytic leverages a sub-search to enhance performance. sub-searches have limitations on the amount of data they can return. Keep this in mind if you have an extensive list of ransomware note file names.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_eventid_11
Known benign triggers
- There could be cases where a legitimate file coincidentally matches a known ransomware note name. In such cases, further investigation is required to determine the nature of the file and its context.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
No references are available for this detection.
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- ada0f478-84a8-4641-a3f1-d82362d6bd71
- Tagged by the source as
- Black Basta RansomwareChaos RansomwareClop RansomwareHellcat RansomwareInterlock RansomwareLockBit RansomwareMedusa RansomwareNailaoLocker RansomwareRansomwareRhysida RansomwareRyuk RansomwareSamSam RansomwareStorm-0501 RansomwareTermite RansomwareEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1