{
  "family": "retribution",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nRetribution is a destructive family of Ransomware designed to infiltrate Windows systems, rapidly encrypt valuable user data, and extort the victim for financial gain. Like many mid-tier ransomware families, Retribution relies on aggressive distribution tactics and strong cryptographic algorithms to deny access to critical files, causing significant operational downtime for affected organizations and individuals.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Encryption Mechanics</h3>\nRetribution is most frequently distributed via malicious spam (malspam) campaigns containing weaponized attachments (e.g., Office documents with macro exploits or deceptive ZIP archives) or via exploit kits hosted on compromised websites.\n\nOnce executed, the ransomware initiates its encryption routine:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pre-Encryption Evasion:</strong> Retribution typically attempts to disable local antivirus services and delete Volume Shadow Copies (`vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet`) to prevent easy recovery of the encrypted files via Windows System Restore.</li>\n<li><strong>Data Encryption:</strong> The malware scans local drives and mapped network shares for specific file extensions (documents, databases, images, archives). It utilizes a robust cryptographic implementation to lock the files, appending a specific extension (often `.retribution` or a unique ID) to the compromised data.</li>\n<li><strong>Extortion:</strong> After encryption is complete, Retribution drops a ransom note in every affected directory and often changes the desktop wallpaper. The note provides instructions for paying the ransom in cryptocurrency to obtain the decryption key.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nA Retribution infection is a critical security incident that directly impacts data availability and business continuity. Because it aggressively targets mapped network drives, a single compromised endpoint can rapidly encrypt shared corporate data repositories, magnifying the impact of the attack.\n\n<h3>Remediation and Eradication</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immediate Network Isolation:</strong> The infected host must be immediately disconnected from the LAN and Wi-Fi to halt the encryption of mapped network shares and sever communication with the attacker's C2 infrastructure.</li>\n<li><strong>Do Not Pay:</strong> Paying the ransom funds criminal enterprises and does not guarantee data recovery. Check resources like the \"No More Ransom\" project for potential free decryption utilities.</li>\n<li><strong>Restore from Backup:</strong> The most reliable recovery method is to wipe the infected system completely, reinstall the operating system, and restore data from a clean, offline, immutable backup.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Retribution",
    "Ransom:Win32/Retribution"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1486",
    "T1490",
    "T1059"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T16:42:48Z",
  "type": "Ransomware",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}