Home/Threat Actor/NoEscape
Threat Actor

NoEscape

noescape · russia_speaking_cybercrime · active since 2023-05

NoEscape (canonical industry naming per Bleeping Computer + SOCRadar + Huntress + TheSecMaster tracking.

some sources also "No Escape" variant) is a suspected Avaddon successor rebrand Ransomware-as- a-Service operation active May/June 2023 through December 2023 exit scam with multi-extortion Windows + Linux + VMware ESXi multi-platform targeting; Russia-aligned organized cybercrime attribution via Bleeping Computer canonical July 2023 analysis + Michael Gillespie ID Ransomware canonical encryptor near-identity assessment ("NoEscape's and Avaddon's ransomware encryptors are almost identical, with only one notable change in encryption algorithms. Previously, the Avaddon encryptor utilized AES for file encryption, with NoEscape switching to the Salsa20 algorithm. Otherwise, the encryptors are virtually identical, with the encryption logic and file formats almost identical, including a unique way of 'chunking of the RSA encrypted blobs'") + Mandiant canonical Avaddon configuration file + directives analysis ("Avaddon and NoEscape encryptors use the same configuration file and directives") + SOCRadar canonical November 2024 Dark Web Profile + Huntress canonical December 2023 exit scam disclosure + TheSecMaster canonical March 2025 retrospective.

suspected operator continuity per Bleeping Computer ("some of the core Avaddon members are now part of the new ransomware operation")

standalone cluster paralleling bianlian + inc_ransom + base_8 in v0.1.148 post-Conti- takedown 2022-2024 RaaS fragmentation operators cell.

operational target profile North America + Europe primary geographic per Huntress + professional services + manufacturing + technology + construction primary sectors + cluster-defining CIS region victim exemption with free decryptors for CIS region (Avaddon-predecessor lineage signature + Russia-aligned ransomware ecosystem pattern)

operational attack architecture: (1) cluster-defining Avaddon-successor-suspected ransomware encryptor with nearly identical encryption logic + file formats + unique RSA encrypted blobs chunking method + identical configuration files + directives per Mandiant.

(2) cluster-defining ChaCha20 + Salsa20 encryption algorithm change from Avaddon's AES.

(3) cluster-defining Windows + Linux + VMware ESXi multi-platform targeting distinctive sophistication for 2023 RaaS.

(4) multi-extortion model with TOR data leak site per SOCRadar.

(5) recovery inhibition tradecraft per Bleeping Computer (shadow copy delete + WMIC shadowcopy delete + wbadmin delete systemstatebackup + vssadmin delete shadows + bcdedit recoveryenabled No commands)

(6) service termination tradecraft per Bleeping Computer (security software + backup applications + DB + web servers + QuickBooks + virtual machine platforms)

(7) cluster-defining ransom demands hundreds of thousands to $10M+ per Bleeping Computer enterprise-focused operation; (8) C++ from-scratch codebase claim per SOCRadar + TheSecMaster, unverified given Avaddon overlap evidence.

(9) cluster-defining December 2023 exit scam per Huntress ("The entire operation abruptly shut down in December 2023, with the threat actors disappearing after a suspected exit scam, leaving both affiliates and some victims in the lurch") + TheSecMaster ("reports emerged of a potential exit scam by the NoEscape operators, with affiliates claiming that ransom payments were being stolen and the operation's infrastructure was shut down"); (10) signature affiliate migration to LockBit post-exit-scam per TheSecMaster ecosystem migration tradecraft.

cluster fills the May-2023- onward + Avaddon-successor-suspected + multi- platform-Windows-Linux-ESXi + ChaCha20/Salsa20- encryption + CIS-exemption + December-2023-exit-scam + LockBit-affiliate-migration position in post- Conti-takedown 2022-2024 RaaS fragmentation operators cell.

canonical illustration of suspected Avaddon-successor-rebrand operator-relation + multi- platform RaaS sophistication + RaaS exit-scam case study + post-collapse affiliate ecosystem migration cited in essentially all subsequent ransomware operator industry analyses through 2023-2026 period.

russia_speaking_cybercrime confidence: high 11 aliases
Sigma rules200 YARA rules0 Live IOCs0 CVEs exploited0

Profile

NoEscape (canonical industry naming per Bleeping Computer + SOCRadar + Huntress + TheSecMaster tracking) is a suspected Avaddon successor rebrand Ransomware-as-a-Service operation active May/June 2023 through December 2023 exit scam with multi- extortion Windows + Linux + VMware ESXi targeting. Russia-aligned organized cybercrime attribution via Bleeping Computer + Michael Gillespie + Mandiant + SOCRadar + Huntress canonical Avaddon-successor- suspected operator-relation analysis. Suspected operator continuity per Bleeping Computer: "some of the core Avaddon members are now part of the new ransomware operation." Standalone cluster paralleling bianlian + inc_ransom + base_8 in v0.1.148 post-Conti-takedown 2022-2024 RaaS fragmentation operators cell.

Operational target profile
  • North America + Europe primary geographic per Huntress.
  • Professional services + manufacturing + technology + construction primary sectors per Huntress.
  • CIS region victims exempted (free decryptor) signature per Bleeping Computer.
  • Opportunistic financially-motivated targeting per Huntress Operational attack architecture: (1) Avaddon-successor-suspected ransomware encryptor (cluster-defining): per Bleeping Computer + Michael Gillespie + Mandiant, nearly identical encryption logic + file formats + unique RSA encrypted blobs chunking method + identical configuration files + directives (2) ChaCha20 + Salsa20 encryption algorithms (cluster-defining): changed from Avaddon's AES per Bleeping Computer + Huntress (3) Windows + Linux + VMware ESXi multi-platform (cluster-defining): distinctive sophistication for 2023 RaaS (4) Multi-extortion model with TOR data leak site (signature): per SOCRadar, "maintaining a TOR- based blog to publicly list its victims and display the exfiltrated data of those who resist meeting their demands" (5) Recovery inhibition tradecraft (signature): per Bleeping Computer, shadow copy delete + WMIC shadowcopy delete + wbadmin delete systemstatebackup + vssadmin delete shadows + bcdedit recoveryenabled No (6) Service termination tradecraft (signature): per Bleeping Computer, security software + backup applications + DB + web servers + QuickBooks + virtual machine platforms (7) CIS victim exemption (cluster-defining): per Bleeping Computer, Avaddon lineage signature with free decryptors for CIS region (8) Ransom demands hundreds of thousands to $10M+ (signature): enterprise-focused operation (9) C++ from-scratch codebase claim (signature): per SOCRadar + TheSecMaster, claim unverified given Avaddon overlap evidence (10) December 2023 exit scam (cluster-defining): per Huntress, operators disappearing + affiliates + victim payments stolen + infrastructure shutdown (11) Affiliate migration to LockBit post-exit-scam (signature): per TheSecMaster, affiliate- ecosystem migration tradecraft The cluster fills the May-2023-onward + Avaddon- successor-suspected + multi-platform-Windows-Linux- ESXi + ChaCha20/Salsa20-encryption + CIS-exemption + December-2023-exit-scam position in the post- Conti-takedown 2022-2024 RaaS fragmentation operators cell.

Aliases

11
noescapeno escapenoescape_ransomwarenoescape ransomwarenoescape avaddon successor suspected rebrandnoescape raas ransomware as a service may june 2023noescape multi-extortion windows linux vmware esxinoescape chacha20 salsa20 encryptionnoescape avaddon encryption logic identical rsa blob chunkingnoescape exit scam december 2023 affiliates lockbitnoescape cis exemption like avaddon

Notable Campaigns

9
2024NoEscape Affiliates - LockBit Migration Post-Exit-Scam
2023-2026Continued Industry Reference Status (2023-2026)
2023NoEscape Origin, May/June 2023
2023NoEscape Avaddon-Successor-Suspected Signature (July 2023 Bleeping Computer)
2023NoEscape Avaddon Configuration File + Directives Identical Signature (Mandiant)
2023NoEscape Multi-Platform Windows + Linux + VMware ESXi Signature
2023NoEscape CIS Victim Exemption Signature (Avaddon Lineage)
2023NoEscape Ransom Demands, Hundreds of Thousands to $10M+
2023NoEscape December 2023 Exit Scam, Operator Disappearance

Attribution & Reporting

Attributed by
Bleeping Computer (canonical July 2023 Avaddon-successor-suspected analysis with Michael Gillespie expert assessment)Michael Gillespie ID Ransomware (canonical encryptor near-identity assessment + RSA blob chunking signature)Mandiant (canonical Avaddon configuration file + directives analysis referenced by Bleeping Computer)SOCRadar (canonical November 2024 Dark Web Profile NoEscape Ransomware analysis)Huntress (canonical No Escape Virus Malware analysis with December 2023 exit scam disclosure)TheSecMaster (canonical March 2025 NoEscape retrospective)PCRisk (canonical July 2023 NoEscape Avaddon successor coverage)RedPacket Security (canonical NoEscape coverage)Techzine Global (canonical NoEscape return-of-Avaddon analysis)MalwareTips Forums (canonical industry forum coverage)SentinelOne (canonical Avaddon double-extortion ransomware analysis referenced)
Key reporting
reportBleeping Computer: Meet NoEscape, Avaddon ransomware gang's likely successor (July 2023), canonical first documentation with Michael Gillespie expert assessment
reportMichael Gillespie ID Ransomware: canonical NoEscape vs Avaddon encryptor near-identity assessment
reportMandiant: canonical Avaddon configuration file + directives analysis (referenced by Bleeping Computer)
reportSOCRadar: Dark Web Profile, NoEscape Ransomware (November 2024), canonical retrospective
reportHuntress: No Escape Virus Malware analysis, canonical December 2023 exit scam disclosure
reportTheSecMaster: NoEscape Ransomware Complete Threat Analysis 2024 (March 2025), canonical retrospective
reportPCRisk: NoEscape Ransomware Starts Where Avaddon Left Off (July 2023)
reportRedPacket Security: canonical NoEscape coverage (July 2023)
reportTechzine Global: Meet NoEscape, the return of the Avaddon RaaS gang (July 2023)
reportSentinelOne: canonical Avaddon double-extortion ransomware analysis (referenced by Techzine)

Operational

State sponsor

Likely Russia-aligned organized cybercrime, CIS victim exemption signature per Bleeping Computer + Avaddon predecessor Russia-aligned operations. Operationally separate from state-sponsored APT activity. Suspected operator continuity with Avaddon operators per Bleeping Computer (Michael Gillespie + various researchers).

Attribution chain: (1) Bleeping Computer canonical July 2023 Avaddon- successor analysis (Michael Gillespie): per Bleeping Computer: "The new NoEscape ransomware operation is believed to be a rebrand of Avaddon, a ransomware gang that shut down and released its decryption keys in 2021... ID-Ransomware creator and ransomware expert Michael Gillespie told BleepingComputer that NoEscape's and Avaddon's ransomware encryptors are almost identical, with only one notable change in encryption algorithms. Previously, the Avaddon encryptor utilized AES for file encryption, with NoEscape switching to the Salsa20 algorithm.

Otherwise, the encryptors are virtually identical, with the encryption logic and file formats almost identical, including a unique way of 'chunking of the RSA encrypted blobs.'" (2) Mandiant canonical configuration file + directives match identification: per Bleeping Computer: "BleepingComputer has determined that the Avaddon and NoEscape encryptors use the same configuration file and directives as described in this Mandiant article." (3) Bleeping Computer canonical July 2023 operator continuity assessment: per Bleeping Computer: "While it is possible that the NoEscape threat actors purchased the source code of the encryptor from Avaddon, BleepingComputer has been told by numerous researchers that it is believed that some of the core Avaddon members are now part of the new ransomware operation." (4) SOCRadar canonical Dark Web Profile (November 2024): per SOCRadar: "Avaddon, a notorious Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) that emerged in early 2019 was known for its double-extortion tactics... However, in 2021, Avaddon ceased its operations, and decryption keys were released to all its victims. This cessation marked the end of one threat but paved the way for another.

NoEscape Ransomware surfaced in June 2023, and its tactics and operations bore a striking resemblance to Avaddon... Possible Rebranding: The emergence of NoEscape shortly after Avaddon's cessation, combined with the aforementioned similarities, suggests a potential rebranding. Some researchers believe that key players from the Avaddon campaign have now integrated into the NoEscape group." (5) Huntress canonical December 2023 exit scam identification: per Huntress: "The entire operation abruptly shut down in December 2023, with the threat actors disappearing after a suspected exit scam, leaving both affiliates and some victims in the lurch." (6) TheSecMaster canonical March 2025 retrospective: per TheSecMaster: "The evolution of NoEscape has also been marked by turmoil.

In late 2023/early 2024, reports emerged of a potential exit scam by the NoEscape operators, with affiliates claiming that ransom payments were being stolen and the operation's infrastructure was shut down." Operational mission objective: Financial extortion via Windows + Linux + VMware ESXi multi-platform ransomware encryption + data theft multi-extortion. Per Bleeping Computer: "NoEscape launched in June 2023 when it began targeting the enterprise in double-extortion attacks. As part of these attacks, the threat actors steal data and encrypt files on Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi servers.

The threat actors then threaten to publicly release stolen data if a ransom is not paid.

" Operational target profile
  • North America + Europe primary geographic per Huntress.
  • Professional services + manufacturing + technology + construction primary sectors per Huntress.
  • CIS region victims exempted (free decryptor) signature per Bleeping Computer.
  • Opportunistic targeting per Huntress, financially motivated maximize-ROI The cluster fills the May-2023-onward + Avaddon- successor-suspected + multi-platform-Windows-Linux- ESXi + ChaCha20/Salsa20-encryption + December-2023- exit-scam position in the post-Conti-takedown 2022-2024 RaaS fragmentation operators cell.
Motivations
financial_extortion_multi_extortion_windows_linux_esxi_targeting, avaddon_successor_suspected_rebrand_capability, raas_operation_affiliate_model, chacha20_salsa20_encryption_algorithm_capability, cis_region_victim_exemption_signature_tradecraft, december_2023_exit_scam_operator_disappearance
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Detection Blind Spots

60 techniques
Across this actor’s 60 mapped techniques, the share covered by each detection layer. Low bars are where you’d be blind if this actor targeted you.
Behavioral / log (Sigma)58/60 · 96%
Analytics (MITRE CAR)33/60 · 55%
Runtime / container (Falco)8/60 · 13%
File / malware (YARA)0/60 · 0%
Network (Suricata/Snort)20/60 · 33%
Vuln scan (Nuclei)0/60 · 0%

Atomic Test Plan

30 techniques
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Tools Used

0 mapped
Other tooling / TTPs (curation, not ATT&CK-mapped):
SALSA20 FILE ENCRYPTION ALGORITHM EARLIER VARIANTSECURITY SOFTWARE + BACKUP APPLICATIONS + DB + WEB SERVERS TERMINATEDSHADOW COPY DELETE + WMIC SHADOWCOPY + WBADMIN DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP
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