CMLOCKER Ransomware 🔐 [.CMLOCKER File Virus]

Our researchers have discovered the CMLOCKER ransomware-type program while investigating new submissions to VirusTotal¹. The program encrypts data and demands ransoms for the decryption keys/tools.

Upon executing a sample of CMLOCKER on our test machine, it encrypted files and appended a “.CMLOCKER” extension to their filenames. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” appeared as “1.jpg.CMLOCKER“, “2.doc” as “2.doc.CMLOCKER“, and so on. After completing this process, the ransom-demanding message “HELP_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.txt” was created.

What is Cmlocker Ransomware?

The ransom note informs victims that their files have been encrypted using the RSA cryptographic algorithm. The cyber criminals responsible for the ransomware attack demand a ransom of $980 in Bitcoin cryptocurrency for the decryption keys. To demonstrate the possibility of data recovery, the note offers a free decryption test on a single file.

Based on our extensive experience researching ransomware infections, we can conclude that decryption is usually impossible without the involvement of the attackers.

Furthermore, even if victims pay the ransom, they often do not receive the promised decryption keys or tools. Therefore, we strongly advise against meeting the ransom demands, as it inadvertently supports this illegal activity.

To prevent CMLOCKER ransomware from encrypting more data, it is crucial to remove it from the operating system. However, removing the ransomware will not restore the already affected files. The only solution is to recover them from a backup, if one was created beforehand and stored elsewhere.

Therefore, we highly recommend maintaining backups in multiple different locations, such as remote servers and unplugged storage devices, to ensure the safety of your data.

Cmlocker summary:

In the image below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Cmlocker looks like. Each filename has the “.CMLOCKER” extension appended to it.

How did my computer get infected with Cmlocker ransomware?

There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.

Nowadays, there are three most popular methods for criminals to have ransomware acting in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer-to-peer networks.

If you access your inbox and see letters that look just like notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is strange to you, beware of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a malicious item enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.

As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrents or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is finished.

How to remove the Cmlocker virus?

It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your files, the Cmlocker virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your computer to get access to credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware³ can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.

Often criminals would decode few of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. As Cmlocker virus is a relatively recent ransomware, security software engineers have not yet found a way to undo its work. Nevertheless, the decryption tools are frequently updated, so the solution may soon be available.

Sure thing, if the evildoers succeed in encrypting victim’s critical files, the desperate person will probably fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the injured party. There were reports about racketeers just vanishing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.

The optimal safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud disk or at least on an external storage. Of course, that might be not enough. Your most important thing could be that file you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the OS is rolled back.

There are other ransomware products, besides Cmlocker, that work similarly. For instance, Oflg, Ofww, Towz, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Cmlocker are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: files become inaccessible, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in every directory containing encrypted files.

Some fortunate users were able to decode the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware experts. Sometimes the racketeers accidentally send the decoding code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the user to restore the files. But obviously, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a tamperers’ instrument to pull the money out of their victims.

How to avoid ransomware infiltration?

Cmlocker ransomware has no superpower, so as any similar malware.

You can protect your PC from ransomware injection taking several easy steps:

• Ignore any emails from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (how can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are expecting, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter carefully. A hoax email will always have mistakes.
• Never use cracked or unknown software. Trojans are often shared as an element of cracked software, possibly as a “patch” which prevents the license check. But dubious programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy software, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. Try searching for information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.

Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft⁴

Download Removal Tool.

Run the setup file.

Press “Install” button.

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

Click on “Clean Now”.

FAQ

🤔 How can I open “.CMLOCKER” files?Are the “.CMLOCKER” files accessible?

There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.CMLOCKER” files are decrypted.

🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?

Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. There are other ways to beat ransomware, but they take time.

🤔 What to do if the Cmlocker virus has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.

🤔 What can I do right now?

Many of the blocked files might still be at your disposal

• If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
• You might have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to give those images back to you.
• If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try to do it again.
• Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files as well.
• Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a portable device, phone, external storage, etc.

HINT: You can use file recovery programs⁶ to retrieve your lost information since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the virus with an antivirus program.

1. Sample of CMLOCKER Ransomware: VirusTotal.com
2. Here’s the list of Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.