The Cdwe virus, also known as a ransomware, belongs to the STOP family. This malware family is famous for file encryption and extortion. Once the Cdwe virus gets into a system, it targets various types of files, like videos, photos, documents, and more. It changes the file structure and adds the “.cdwe” extension to each encrypted file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryption.
Cdwe Virus Overview
Cdwe
🤔 Cdwe virus is ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP ransomware family. Its primary purpose is to cipher all of your files it can reach. After that ransomware virus asks for a ransom payment – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Cdwe virus is a type of malware that ciphers your files and coerces you into paying for their recovery. This malware ciphers a wide selection of file types. ciphered files can be identified by a distinct “.cdwe” extension. The affected files become impossible to access and use.
Subsequently, the ransomware demands a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980. Typically, a ransom text file is named as “_readme.txt“.
Cdwe Ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Cdwe virus employs such a strong ciphering method, it becomes particularly hard, if even possible, to pick the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.
Once Cdwe malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the user, asking for a ransom payment for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on how to pay off the bill and often includes threats of data loss or ransom amounts surge if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.
I have created a comprehensive list of potential solutions, advice, and methods to neutralize the Cdwe malware and decrypt your files. In some cases, you can regain access to the files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Note!
It is critical to note that paying off the ransom does not guarantee the successful files recovery. The crooks who stand behind the Cdwe virus are not trustworthy. There were the cases where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cyber criminals with the decryption key provision.
Cdwe uses a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
The Cdwe virus is similar to other DJVU ransomware samples such as Cdaz, Cdxx, Cdmx, and Cdqw. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.cdwe” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.cdwe” and “2.png” to “2.png.cdwe“.
After successful encryption, the virus creates a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It as well adds this file to the desktop, so the user will not miss its appearance even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “cdwe” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Cdwe Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .cdwe |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Trojan:MSIL/AgentTesla.NMR!MTB, Trojan:Win64/Grandoreiro!pz, Ransom:MSIL/BlackBit.MA!MTB |
| Symptoms |
|
| Fix Tool |
To remove possible malware infections, scan your PC:
6-day free trial available. |
This message asking payment is for restore files via decryption key:
_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The scary warning insisting users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these annoying admonitions.
Cdwe ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are meant to execute certain activities on a victim’s computer. One of the primary ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that displays a false Windows update pop-up during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
Meanwhile, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which initiates scanning the system for target files and ciphering them. Next, the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system disk by the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once erased, it becomes nearly impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The concern is, ransomware operators are getting rid of any built-in Windows approaches that could assist the victim to regain files for free. In addition, the crooks modify the Windows HOSTS file by including a list of domains to it and mapping them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will see a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to access one of the blocked websites.
We noticed that ransomware endeavors to block websites that developed various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by restricting specific domains, the malefactors are attempting to prevent the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. Malware also keeps two text files on the victim’s computer that present attack-related particulars – the victim’s public encryption key and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After all these changes, the malware doesn’t halt. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to install Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat has an large list of capabilities, including:
- Stealing Steam, Telegram, Skype login / password;
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets;
- Downloading other malware to the computer and running it;
- Stealing browser cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, and more;
- Viewing and manipulating files on victim’s computer;
- Allowing the hackers to perform other tasks on the victim’s computer remotely.
The cryptography algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, the key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it will take too much time.
Retrieving the online decryption key in another way is also nearly impossible. It is kept on a server owned by the crooks who promote the Cdwe infection. For receiving decrypting code the payment should be $980. To get the payment details, the victims should contact the hackers by email ([email protected]).
The message by the ransomware states the following information:
ATTENTION! Don't worry, you can return all your files! All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key. The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you. This software will decrypt all your encrypted files. What guarantees you have? You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free. But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information. You can get and look video overview decrypt tool: https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku Price of private key and decrypt software is $980. Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490. Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment. Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours. To get this software you need write on our e-mail: [email protected] Reserve e-mail address to contact us: [email protected] Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
How To Remove STOP/Djvu Ransomware?
Video Guide
How To Decrypt .cdwe Files?
How to restore big files?
Try deleting .cdwe extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus read and did not encode the file, or it failed and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), the latter is most likely. Please, let me know in comments if that will work for you.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Cdaz, Isak, Cdmx etc.
As a consequence of the alterations made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer supported. It has been replaced with the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu Ransomware developed by Emsisoft.
You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for STOP Djvu.
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Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will by default choose the available directories in order to unlock the currently available drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can select additional locations with the “Add” button.
Decryptors generally propose several options depending on the specific malware family. The present possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be enabled or deactivated there. You may discover a comprehensive list of the currently active Options below.
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Click on the “Decrypt” button.
As soon as you add all the desired locations for decryption into the list, click on the “Decrypt” button in order to initiate the decryption procedure.
Note that the main screen may turn you to a status view, letting you know of the active process and the decryption statistics of your data:
The decryptor will notify you as soon as the decryption procedure is completed. If you need the report for your personal papers, you can save it by choosing the “Save log” button. Note that it is also possible to copy it directly to your clipboard and to paste it into emails or messages here if you need to do so.
The Emsisoft Decryptor might display different messages after a failed attempt to restore your files:
✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]
Emsisoft does not have a corresponding key in the database.
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible
Malware used an online key to cipher your files. There is no one to share the decryption key with you. File recovery is only possible through paying the ransom. 🙁
✓ Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.
Malware used an offline key, but files could not be restored (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). But, this message is a good news for you, because it is possible to restore your files in the future. 🙂
It can take a few weeks or months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. Please follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here.
✓ Remote name could not be resolved
It’s an indication of a DNS issue on your PC. Our first recommendation is to reset your HOSTS file back to default.
How to Restore .cdwe Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Cdwe ransomware encryption mechanism is next: it ciphers every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, removing (not overriding!) the original file. Thus, the information of the file location on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still keep this file, but it is not listed by the file system and can be replaced by data that has been loaded to this disk after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to recover your files using special software.
Anyway, after realizing it was an online algorithm, it is impossible to retrieve my encrypted files. I also had my backup drive plugged in at the time of the virus, and this was also infected, or so I thought. Every folder within my backup drive had been infected and was encrypted. However, despite losing some important files, I retrieved almost 80% of my 2TB storage.
When I started going through the folders, I noticed the readme.txt ransom note in every folder. I opened some of the folders and found that all files that were not in a subfolder within that folder had been encrypted. However, I found a flaw and glimmer of hope when I went into the subfolders in other folders and found that these files had not been encrypted. Every folder within my c and d drives, including subfolders, had been encrypted, but this was not the case with the backup drive. Having subfolders created within a folder has saved 80% of my data.
As I said, I believe this to be only a small loophole on a backup drive. I’ve since found a further 10 % of my data on another hard drive on a different pc. So my advice is if you use a backup drive, create subfolders. I was lucky, I guess. But I was also unlucky that the virus hit as I was transferring some files from my backup.
Hopefully, this can help some other people in my situation.
Jamie NewlandRecovering your files with PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an free open-source program, which is originally created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for data recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, with time flow, this program adopted the ability to restore the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file recovery after the Cdwe attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no assurance that your files will be retrieved. PhotoRec is spread in a pack with another tool of the same developer – TestDisk. The resulting archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To run PhotoRec, find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation process is needed – this program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Cdwe ransomware.
Upon the launch, you will witness the screen showing you the complete list of your disk drives. However, this information is presumably useless, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this tab, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After selecting the disk, you need to select the destination folder for the restored files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best choice is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to designate the file formats. This choice is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can recover the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can initiate files restoration by pressing the “Search” button. You will observe the screen where the results of the scan and recovery are shown.
Cdwe files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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