{
  "family": "snocry",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nSnocry is a destructive ransomware family designed to extort financial payment from victims by encrypting their critical files and demanding a cryptocurrency ransom. It targets Windows operating systems and leverages strong encryption algorithms to ensure that data recovery is virtually impossible without the attacker's proprietary decryption key.\n\n<h3>Technical Execution and Encryption Process</h3>\nSnocry typically infiltrates networks via malicious spam (malspam) campaigns containing exploit kits or through the exploitation of unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections.\n\nOnce executed on a target machine, Snocry performs a rapid, automated attack sequence:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Defense Evasion:</strong> The ransomware attempts to terminate security software, stop backup services, and disable database processes to ensure files are unlocked and available for encryption.</li>\n<li><strong>Shadow Copy Destruction:</strong> To thwart native Windows recovery methods, Snocry executes commands (e.g., `vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet`) to systematically destroy local Volume Shadow Copies.</li>\n<li><strong>Data Encryption:</strong> Snocry utilizes robust symmetric encryption (such as AES) to encrypt a wide array of document, image, and database file types. The encrypted files are appended with a specific `.snocry` (or similar variant) extension.</li>\n<li><strong>Extortion:</strong> A ransom note is dropped onto the desktop and in affected directories, providing instructions on how to access a Tor-based payment portal to purchase the decryption tool with Bitcoin.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Impact</h3>\nA Snocry infection results in a catastrophic denial of access to critical business data. Without secure, offline backups, organizations face massive operational downtime, severe financial loss, and reputational damage. Paying the ransom funds criminal enterprises and offers no guarantee of successful data recovery.\n\n<h3>Defense and Resilience Strategies</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Offline, Immutable Backups:</strong> The only reliable defense against Snocry is a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy, ensuring that at least one copy of critical data is stored offline and is immutable.</li>\n<li><strong>RDP Security:</strong> Secure all remote access points. RDP must be placed behind a VPN, secured with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and restricted via strict IP whitelisting.</li>\n<li><strong>Behavioral EDR:</strong> Deploy EDR solutions tuned to immediately block processes attempting mass file modifications or the unauthorized deletion of volume shadow copies.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Ransomware.Snocry",
    "Win32/Snocry",
    "Trojan-Ransom.Snocry"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1486",
    "T1490",
    "T1078",
    "T1562.001"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T16:23:56Z",
  "type": "Ransomware",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}