Malicious File Encryption via Kraken Ransomware Encryptor Binary

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-05-11
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Impact
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

What it detects

This rule detects execution of the Kraken ransomware encryptor with its characteristic key, path, timeout and directory command-line switches. The binary encrypts victim files and appends the .zpsc extension while dropping a ransom note. Detecting the encryptor invocation provides a late-stage indicator of active ransomware deployment.

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Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.