Since 2022, a digital menace known as Beast Ransomware, or Monster, has been silently attacking organizations worldwide. But this is not just any ordinary cyber threat; Beast is part of a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform, which means it is sold to criminals looking to wreak havoc. What sets Beast apart is its ability to morph and adapt, like a shapeshifter, depending on the systems it is attacking. Whether it is Linux, Windows, or VMware ESXi servers, Beast can adjust itself to fit the environment perfectly, making it one of the most flexible and dangerous ransomware tools available.
Beast’s danger stems from its adaptability. Its affiliates can customize the malware for different purposes. On Windows, it uses a combination of Elliptic-curve cryptography and ChaCha20 encryption to lock files. It also has a ZIP wrapper mode that packs files into .zip archives with ransom notes inside, tricking victims.
Let us take a basic example to explain how it works. Picture you have a folder with precious photos. Beast locks and encrypts this folder, blocking access to the images. It then turns the folder into a ZIP file containing a ransom note asking for money to unlock it.
Beast does not just encrypt files. On Linux and ESXi platforms, it takes things further. It shuts down virtual machines before encrypting them, causing more chaos.
The most terrifying feature of the Beast is that it spreads like wildfire. It uses SMB scans to infect other systems on the same network automatically. Imagine malware in one computer spreading to others without a hacker’s hand.
With constant updates, including an offline builder added in August 2024, cybercriminals can now build ransomware without even needing the internet.
This ransomware platform is built to cause as much damage as possible, but it smartly avoids targeting systems in CIS countries like Russia and Belarus. This makes it harder for authorities in those regions to track or stop its spread. As Beast Ransomware keeps evolving, it is becoming more dangerous, leaving behind a trail of encrypted files that victims cannot access unless they pay a ransom. Each new version of Beast adds more tricks, making it even tougher to contain and more devastating for organizations that fall victim to its attacks.
