Vanhelsing Ransomware Analysis | From a TV Show into a Fully Fledged Ransomware

Overview

The “Vanhelsing” ransomware intriguingly borrows its name from a popular vampire-themed TV series, indicating how modern cyber threats sometimes employ culturally resonant names to draw attention or disguise their origin. Though unproven, the connection hints at a growing trend of thematically branded malware.

Vanhelsing: Ransomware-as-a-Service

Emerging in March 2025, Vanhelsing RaaS allows even novice users to execute sophisticated cyberattacks via a turnkey control panel. This democratizes cybercrime, lowering the barrier to entry and dramatically expanding the threat landscape.

Double Extortion Method

Vanhelsing doesn’t just lock files—it also steals sensitive data. Victims who refuse to pay face the threat of public data leaks. This tactic turns encryption into a PR and compliance nightmare for victims, especially organizations handling regulated data.

Sandbox Analysis with Hybrid Analysis

Using this online platform, the ransomware was quickly detected as malicious. Despite wide detection, it managed to evade defenses from vendors like Komodo and ClamAV—demonstrating partial stealth.

Analysis uncovered a hexadecimal-encrypted structure embedded in infected files, including consistent key and nonce patterns. The malware leaves behind a chilling ransom note: “No news is good news…”, confirming data breach and file encryption.

Technical Mechanisms and APIs

It exploits various Windows APIs—like CreateFile, CloseHandle, and ShellExecute—for tasks such as file manipulation, process control, and network interaction. It switches between silent and interactive modes, tailored for stealth or impact.

Reverse Engineering with Ghidra

Reverse engineering reveals the setup phase includes mutex creation (to avoid multi-instance execution), memory allocation, and environment configuration. It embeds the mutex name “anime van heling”—a subtle homage to its theme.

Vanhelsing Ransomware Encryption Workflow

Step 1: Identifies files to encrypt (avoiding core system files).

Step 2: Generates key and nonce.

Step 3: Encrypts files, writes metadata, and appends .vanlocker extension.

Step 4: Writes encrypted payload using structured formats to facilitate decryption later (if ransom is paid).

if ( !flag_silent_564D80 )
{
    formatString_40B0A0((char *)new_filepath, 0x1860, (const char *)".%s.vanhelsing", filepath);
    wsprintfW(msg_lock, L" File [%s] LOCKED SUCCESSFULLY", new_filepath);
    if ( flag_verbose_564D84 == TRUE )
        printf_4011D0((char *)"%s\n", msg_lock);
    if ( !MoveFileExW(filepath, new_filepath, 3u) )
    {
        LastError = GetLastError();
        wsprintfW(msg_lock, L" Failed to change file name, error id: %d \n", LastError);
        if ( flag_verbose_564D84 == 1 )
            printf_4011D0((char *)"%s\n", msg_lock);
    }
}
allocated_mem = 1;
goto MEM_CLEAN;

Drive and File Filtering: It targets logical drives (GetLogicalDriveStrings) and filters them to focus on mounted and fixed drives. It excludes .dll, .ini, and boot files, ensuring systems remain bootable.

bufferSize = GetLogicalDriveStringsW(0, 0);
if ( !bufferSize )
{
    LastError = GetLastError();
    printf_40CA30("GetLogicalDriveStringsW faild with error : %d \n", LastError);
    goto EXIT;
}

v14 = flag_verbose_564D84 == 1;
if ( v14 )
    printf_4011D0((char *)"%s\n", Buffer);

buffer = (WCHAR *)malloc((unsigned __int64)((unsigned __int64)bufferSize >> 0x1f) + 2 * bufferSize);
if ( !buffer )
{
    v12 = GetLastError();
    printf_40CA30("temp_drivers_list malloc failed with error : %d \n", v12);
    goto EXIT;
}

drive_result = GetLogicalDriveStringsW(bufferSize, buffer);
if ( !drive_result )
{
    Error = GetLastError();
    printf_40CA30("drivers_list size = %d \n", error, id);
}

Network Awareness:

• Conducts subnet scans (0–255 range) to identify other systems.
• Uses getaddrinfo to resolve hostnames and socket APIs to initiate connections.
• Prepares for secondary-stage exfiltration or network encryption if ransom remains unpaid.

Strategic Intelligence: The ransomware’s design reflects tactical thinking—it limits immediate communication with C2 servers, likely to avoid detection. Only when the ransom is not paid does it activate outbound data exfiltration.

Conclusion

Vanhelsing represents the evolution of RaaS into a plug-and-play cyberweapon. It combines technical sophistication with operational ease, signaling a shift in how ransomware is deployed, monetized, and sustained.

Video Walkthrough