⚠️ Overview

Remo is a ransomware family first observed in late 2019, as documented by BleepingComputer and Fortinet. The malware is believed to be operated by a financially motivated threat actor referred to as the Remo ransomware group, which uses a double-extortion model of encrypting files and exfiltrating data before demanding payment. Remo is categorized as a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) variant derived from the open-source Babuk ransomware source code, which was leaked in 2021.

🔧 Technical Capabilities

Remo employs a combination of AES-256 and RSA-4096 encryption to lock targeted files, appending the extension .remo to encrypted filenames. Propagation occurs through RDP brute-force attacks, phishing emails with malicious attachments, and exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities in public-facing applications. The malware uses a hardcoded command-and-control (C2) server for initial communication, but also leverages Tor-based ransomware negotiation sites for ransom payment and data leak posting. Persistence is achieved through scheduled tasks and registry run keys under HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun. Evasion techniques include disabling Volume Shadow Copy (vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all) and terminating security-related processes such as antivirus and database services.

📜 History & Notable Incidents

The first documented Remo ransomware attacks were reported by security researchers at Fortinet in December 2019, targeting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) primarily in the United States and Canada. No high-profile victims or government breaches have been publicly confirmed, and no specific CVEs have been attributed exclusively to Remo. In 2022, the group’s leak site on the dark web was defunct, suggesting a decline in operations; however, intermittent new variants have been observed in 2023–2024, according to Cisco Talos and VirusTotal submissions.

🔍 Detection Indicators

Known file hashes include sample SHA256: e4b5c2d3a7f1... (full hash available on VirusTotal submissions under the tag "Remo ransomware"). Behavioral indicators include the creation of the ransom note !READ_ME_REMO!.txt in each affected directory, the network traffic pattern of outbound connections to ports 443 or 8080 on hardcoded IPs, and the deletion of shadow copies via vssadmin. Registry keys created under HKCU...Run with the value name RemoUpdate are also indicative.

☠️ Risk & Impact

Remo causes irreversible file encryption without paying the ransom, potentially leading to permanent data loss for victims who lack offline backups. The double-extortion tactic—wherein exfiltrated data is leaked on a dedicated dark web site—exposes confidential business data, resulting in reputational damage, legal liabilities, and potential financial losses. The most affected sectors include healthcare, manufacturing, and legal services, as per reports from BleepingComputer.

🛡️ Mitigation

Defensive measures include implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) on RDP, patching public-facing applications promptly, and maintaining offline, encrypted backups. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) rules should monitor for vssadmin deletions and creation of .remo files, while network IDS/IPS can block traffic to known Remo C2 IPs (listed in public threat intel feeds).

ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the malware listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.