How to remove Esxi Ransomware and decrypt .ESXiArgs or .args files

What is Esxi Ransomware

Esxi (ESXiArgs) Ransomware is a malicious infection that targets organizations by exploiting vulnerabilities in VMware ESXi – a virtual machine tool used for managing and optimizing various processes within organizations. Security reports indicate that cybercriminals exploit known vulnerabilities in VMware ESXi to gain access to servers and deploy ESXiArgs ransomware onto the targetted system. Once done, the virus will start looking to encrypt files located on the virtual machine with the following extensions: .vmdk, .vmx, .vmxf, .vmsd, .vmsn, .vswp, .vmss, .nvram, .vmem. For each encrypted file, the ransomware will also create a separate file with .ESXiArgs or .args extension with metadata inside (likely necessary for future decryption).

Please note that there are two versions of ESXiArgs Ransomware with different encryption techniques: The first and earliest wave of ESXiArgs Ransomware determined the method of encryption depending on the size of a stored file. If the file size was less than 128MB, the virus ran the encryption entirely. However, in the case of larger files, the ransomware had to skip over large amounts of megabytes/gigabytes of the file leaving only some small chunks of it encrypted. Thanks to this vulnerability of the virus itself, a recovery method has been devised and CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) released an ESXiArgs-Recovery script on GitHub to assist ransomware victims in the recovery process. If you were “lucky” to get infected with the earliest version of ESXi Ransomware, you can use this official CISA guide to get assistance in using the aforementioned script for the recovery of your files.

Unfortunately, victims of the second ESXiArgs Ransomware wave are less likely to recover their data using this method. Cybercriminals have modified the encryption pattern, which does not have the same flaw anymore. You can identify what version you are infected with by looking at the ransom note where extortionists demand money from victims for file recovery. Names of reported ransom files can How to Restore Your Files.html, ransom.html, etc. In the latest version threat actors removed public disclosure of their BTC wallet to which the ransom is supposed to be paid. Compared to the very first variant, cybercriminals will now send it to victims only after establishing contact with them.

Unless you are going to collaborate with extortionists, deleting ransomware is crucial to not let it encrypt other files or spread onto neighboring networks at the time of manual recovery. Additionally, it is also important to remove it even after decrypting files with cybercriminals, if that is the route you will decide to take. Follow the steps in our guide below to delete ransomware and safeguard your system against future threats of this kind.

To not become a victim of ESXiArgs again, CISA and FBI recommend all organizations to temporarily remove connectivity for the associated ESXi server(s), which includes upgrading ESXi servers to the latest version of VMware ESXi software, hardening ESXi hypervisors by disabling the Service Location Protocol (SLP) service, and ensuring ESXi hypervisor is not configured for being exposed to the public internet.

old variant

new variant

General information about ransomware infections

In the majority of other ransomware infections, cybercriminals are the only figures able to fully decrypt users’ data. The situation with one of the ESXiArgs versions is a lucky exception and such exceptions do not happen that often. In cases when data cannot be recovered using third-party tools, the only ways to do so are either to collaborate with cybercriminals or recover files from separate backup copies. Backups are copies of data stored on external storage devices (e.g., USB pen drives, external hard drives, SSDs, clouds etc.).

Using your own backup is always better as some threat actors fool their victims and do not send any promised decryption tools even after the payment. Making regular backups is crucial to ensure the data can be recovered in the event of unexpected loss or ransomware attacks. Below, you will also see some third-party decryption tools, which may sometimes be helpful in recovering/decrypting files encrypted by other ransomware attacks.

How Esxi Ransomware infected your computer

As mentioned, this ransomware exploits certain vulnerabilities in virtual machine software often used by corporate users. However, apart from this, there are many other distribution techniques that get exploited by cybercriminals to deliver various kinds of malware as well: phishing e-mail letters, unprotected RDP configuration, infected software installers (pirated or cracked), trojans, fake updates/license cracking tools, unreliable ads, backdoors, keyloggers, and other dubious channels.

The main objective of many distribution channels is to trick users into interacting with a malicious file or link. This strategy is commonly employed in fraudulent e-mails where cybercriminals camouflage harmful attachments as genuine files (.DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS). These emails often mimic legitimate and trustworthy organizations, such as delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, etc. in order to increase the likelihood of inexperienced users being deceived into clicking harmful links or downloading malware.

Always approach potentially harmful content with extreme care and caution. Avoid interacting with doubtful download sources, torrent-sharing websites, suspicious ads, potentially malicious attachments/links, and other kinds of content that may be potentially compromised. Download software only from official resources to prevent drive-by (stealth) installations of malware. Read our guide below to learn how to deal with malware and protect yourself against it.

1. Download Esxi Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .args files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Esxi Ransomware

Esxi Ransomware files:


encrypt
encrypt.sh
public.pem
motd
index.html
How to Restore Your Files.html
ransom.html


Esxi Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .args files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .args files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .args files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Esxi Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .args files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Esxi Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Esxi Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.