{
  "family": "satancrypt",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nSatancrypt (often related to the \"Satan\" Ransomware-as-a-Service family) is a highly destructive strain of enterprise ransomware designed to infiltrate corporate networks, rapidly encrypt critical file systems and databases, and demand a cryptocurrency payment for the decryption key. It is known for its aggressive targeting of database servers and its use of a centralized affiliate model for distribution, making it a severe, immediate threat to business continuity.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nSatancrypt affiliates typically gain access to networks through compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections, malicious spam campaigns, or by exploiting public-facing web vulnerabilities (such as unpatched Tomcat or WebLogic servers).\n\nOnce inside the network, it executes a devastating attack chain:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Service Termination and Defense Evasion:</strong> The malware actively attempts to terminate endpoint security services and crucially, stops database services (SQL Server, Exchange, MySQL) using command-line tools to ensure those files are unlocked and available for encryption. It also deletes Volume Shadow Copies (`vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows`) to prevent easy data restoration.</li>\n<li><strong>Rapid Encryption:</strong> It utilizes strong cryptography (AES+RSA) to encrypt user files, databases, and network shares. The encrypted files are appended with the `.satan` or `.satancrypt` extension, and a ransom note (`HELP_DECRYPT_FILES.html`) is dropped into every affected directory.</li>\n<li><strong>Lateral Movement:</strong> Satancrypt variants are known to contain built-in lateral movement capabilities, attempting to spread to other machines on the local network using tools like Mimikatz to dump credentials and pass-the-hash.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nA Satancrypt 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 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.Satan",
    "Trojan-Ransom.Win32.SatanCrypt",
    "Win32/Satana"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1486",
    "T1489",
    "T1490",
    "T1078"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:43:55Z",
  "type": "Ransomware",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}