Malicious Ransomware Encryption Extension x2anylock

ATT&CK techniques

Impact

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
- T1486Data Encrypted for Impact

What it detects

This rule detects files being created or renamed with the .x2anylock extension. The ransomware deployed in the Project AK47 campaign appends this extension to encrypted files. Mass creation of .x2anylock files is a definitive indicator of active ransomware encryption.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1486 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious CACTUS Ransomware Note and Encrypted File Artifacts (via file_event)

Malicious Macaw Ransom Note or Encrypted File Written (via file_event)

Suspicious Executable Execution from PerfLogs Directory via process_creation

Malicious Ransomware Encryption Extension x2anylock

Pivot detection · T1486 · 9 related

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

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