NoEscape Ransomware: The Complete Guide

NoEscape is a form of ransomware, which is a malicious software that encrypts files on a victim’s computer and demands a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. Initially, this malware targeted both Windows and Linux machines, as well as VMware ESXi. It typically infiltrates a system either as a file dropped by other malware or as a file unknowingly downloaded by users while visiting suspicious websites.

SalvageData experts recommend proactive data security measures, such as regular backups, strong cybersecurity practices, and keeping software up to date, to protect against ransomware attacks. And, in case of a ransomware attack, contact our ransomware recovery experts immediately.

What kind of malware is NoEscape?

NoEscape is a ransomware operation that is believed to be a rebrand of Avaddon, a ransomware gang that shut down and released its decryption keys, as Bleeping Computer first reported. It is offered as a service to other criminals who act as affiliates or customers.  It is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), a type of ransomware that is offered as a service to other criminals who act as affiliates or customers.

Everything we know about NoEscape Ransomware

Confirmed Name

• NoEscape virus

Threat Type

• Ransomware
• Crypto Virus
• Files locker
• Double extortion

Encrypted Files Extension

• Random extension

Ransom Demanding Message

• HOW_TO_RECOVER_FILES.txt
• It can have different file name depending on the attacker group

Detection Names

• Avast Win32:RansomX-gen [Ransom]

• Emsisoft Trojan.GenericKD.67371017 (B)

• Malwarebytes Ransom.Avaddon

• Kaspersky HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Generic

• Sophos Mal/Generic-S

• Microsoft Trojan:Win32/Noescape!ic

Distribution methods

• Infected Email Attachments
• Malicious Downloads
• Dropped by Other Malware

Consequences

• Files are encrypted and locked until the ransom payment
• Data leak
• Double extortion

Is There a Free Decryptor Available?

No. There is no known public decryptor for NoEscape ransomware available at this time.

What are NoEscape ransomware’s IOCs?

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) are artifacts observed on a network or in an operating system that indicate a computer intrusion with high confidence. IOCs can be used for early detection of future attack attempts using intrusion detection systems and antivirus software.

It’s important to note that the specific NoEscape ransomware implementation and IOCs may vary depending on the affiliate or customer using the Ransomware-as-a-Service.

What is in the NoEscape ransom note

The NoEscape ransom note typically contains a message to the victim that their network has been hacked and infected by the NoEscape group. The ransom note also contains a “personal ID” required to log in to the threat actor’s Tor payment site and access the victim’s unique negotiation. However, the specific content of the ransom note may vary depending on the version of the ransomware and the affiliate or customer using the RaaS.

If you realize you’re a ransomware victim, contacting SalvageData ransomware removal experts provides you with a secure data recovery service and ransomware removal after an attack.

How does NoEscape ransomware spread

NoEscape ransomware spreads through various methods, including:

• Infected Email Attachments. The ransomware can be distributed through infected email attachments that contain macros.
• Malicious Downloads. NoEscape ransomware can be downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting suspicious websites.
• Dropped by Other Malware. NoEscape ransomware can be dropped by other malware on the victim’s system

How does NoEscape ransomware work?

NoEscape ransomware is capable of encrypting data on Windows and Linux machines, as well as on VMware ESXi. However, it can only execute on a Windows NT 10.0 operating system. The specific implementation and techniques may vary depending on the affiliate or customer using the Ransomware-as-a-Service.

Encryption Method

NoEscape ransomware uses a hybrid cryptography method to encrypt files and protect their keys. The ransomware payloads support multiple encryption modes, including full, fast, or strong, along with leveraging RSA and ChaCha20 for specific files. While the Avaddon ransomware used the AES algorithm, NoEscape switched to Salsa20 for file encryption.

Ransom Note

NoEscape ransomware leaves a ransom note on the victim’s computer, which contains a message to the victim that their network has been hacked and infected by the NoEscape group. The note serves as a communication channel through which the victims can follow the specified steps to engage with the ransomware developers. The ransom note also contains a “personal ID” required to log in to the threat actor’s Tor payment site and access the victim’s unique negotiation.

Payment

The ransom note usually contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. The victims are required to pay the ransom in cryptocurrency, and the ransom amount varies depending on the severity of the attack and the specific ransomware variant.

Do not pay the ransom! Contacting a ransomware removal service can not only restore your files but also remove any potential threat.

How to handle a NoEscape ransomware attack

Important: The first step after identifying NoEscape IOCs is to resort to your Incident Response Plan (IRP). Ideally, you have an Incident Response Retainer (IRR) with a trusted team of professionals that can be contacted 24/7/365, and they can take immediate action that will prevent data loss, reduce or eliminate the ransom payment, and help you through any legal liabilities.

To the best of our knowledge with the information we have at the time this article is published, the first step that a team of ransomware recovery experts would take is to isolate the infected computer by disconnecting it from the internet and removing any connected device.

Simultaneously this team will assist you in contacting your country’s local authorities. For US residents and businesses, it is the local FBI field office and the Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3). To report a ransomware attack you must gather every information you can about it, including:

• Screenshots of the ransom note
• Communications with the ransomware actors (if you have them)
• A sample of an encrypted file

However, if you don’t have an IRP or IRR, you can still contact ransomware removal and recovery professionals. This is the best course of action and greatly increases the chances of successfully removing the ransomware, restoring the data, and preventing future attacks. We recommend that you leave every infected machine as they are and call an emergency ransomware recovery service.

Restarting or shutting down the system may compromise the recovery process. Capturing the RAM of a live system may help get the encryption key, and catching a dropper file might be reverse-engineered and lead to the decryption of the data or understanding of how it operates.

What NOT to do to recover from a NoEscape ransomware attack

You must not delete the ransomware, and keep every evidence of the attack. That’s important for digital forensics so experts can trace back to the hacker group and identify them. It is by using the data on your infected system that authorities can investigate the attack and find the responsible. A cyber attack investigation is not different from any other criminal investigation: it needs evidence to find the attackers.

1. Contacting your Incident Response provider

A Cyber Incident Response is the process of responding to and managing a cybersecurity incident. An Incident Response Retainer is a service agreement with a cybersecurity provider that allows organizations to get external help with cybersecurity incidents. It provides organizations with a structured form of expertise and support through a security partner, enabling them to respond quickly and effectively during a cyber incident.

An incident response retainer offers peace of mind to organizations, offering expert support before and in the aftermath of a cybersecurity incident. An incident response retainer’s specific nature and structure will vary according to the provider and the organization’s requirements. A good incident response retainer should be robust but flexible, providing proven services to enhance an organization’s long-term security posture.

If you contact your IR service provider, they will care for everything else. However, if you decide to remove the ransomware and recover the files with your IT team, then you can follow the next steps.

2. Identify the ransomware infection

You can identify which ransomware infected your machine by the file extension (some ransomware uses the file extension as their name), or it will be on the ransom note. With this information, you can look for a public decryption key.

You can also check the ransomware type by its IOCs. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) are digital clues that cybersecurity professionals use to identify system compromises and malicious activities within a network or IT environment. They are essentially digital versions of evidence left at a crime scene, and potential IOCs include unusual network traffic, privileged user logins from foreign countries, strange DNS requests, system file changes, and more. When an IOC is detected, security teams evaluate possible threats or validate its authenticity. IOCs also provide evidence of what an attacker had access to if they did infiltrate the network.

3. Remove the ransomware and eliminate exploit kits

Before recovering your data, you must guarantee that your device is ransomware-free and that the attackers can’t make a new attack through exploit kits or other vulnerabilities. A ransomware removal service can delete the ransomware, create a forensics document for investigation, eliminate vulnerabilities, and recover your data.

Use anti-malware/anti-ransomware software to quarantine and remove the malicious software.

Important: By contacting ransomware removal services you can ensure that your machine and network have no trace of the NoEscape ransomware. Also, these services can patch your system, preventing new ransomware attacks.

4. Use a backup to restore the data

Backups are the most efficient way to recover data. Make sure to keep daily or weekly backups, depending on your data usage.

5. Contact a ransomware recovery service

If you don’t have a backup or need help removing the ransomware and eliminating vulnerabilities, contact a data recovery service. Paying the ransom does not guarantee your data will be returned to you. The only guaranteed way you can restore every file is if you have a backup of it. If you don’t, ransomware data recovery services can help you decrypt and recover the files.

SalvageData experts can safely restore your files and prevent NoEscape ransomware from attacking your network again.

Contact our experts 24/7 for emergency recovery service.

Prevent a ransomware attack

Preventing ransomware is the best solution for data security. is easier and cheaper than recovering from them. NoEscape ransomware can cost your business’s future and even close its doors.

These are a few tips to ensure you can avoid ransomware attacks:

• Install antivirus and anti-malware software.
• Employ reliable cybersecurity solutions.
• Utilize strong and secure passwords.
• Keep software and operating systems up to date.
• Implement firewalls for added protection.
• Create a data recovery plan.
• Regularly schedule backups to safeguard your data.
• Exercise caution with email attachments and downloads from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Verify the safety of ads before clicking on them.
• Access websites only from trusted sources.

By adhering to these practices, you can fortify your online security and protect yourself from potential threats.