Due to the complex encryption used by CryptXXX V3 ransomware, it’s important to understand that current tools, including Cryptolocker File Scan Tools, are only capable of partial data decryption for files affected by this malware.
This file scan tool specifically attempts to repair certain common file formats after the decryption process. These formats include DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, and PPTX, which are widely used Microsoft Office file types. When the tool successfully fixes a file, it will create a new file in the same location as the original. This new file will have the same name as the original but with “_fixed” appended to it. Upon opening these “_fixed” files with Microsoft Office, you might encounter a prompt suggesting a file repair. Proceeding with this repair process within Microsoft Office may lead to further recovery of the document’s content. However, it’s crucial to note that due to variations in Microsoft Office versions and file behavior, complete document recovery using this method is not guaranteed.
For file types beyond these specific Microsoft Office formats, partial data decryption may still leave files in a corrupted state. In such cases, users might need to explore third-party corrupted file recovery tools. One example of such a tool is the open-source program JPEGSnoop*. These tools can sometimes help in salvaging more data from partially decrypted files.
Consider a photo or image file as an example. After partial decryption, you might find that the recovered file shows fragments of the image but not the complete picture. At this point, users need to assess the importance of the file and decide whether to utilize a third-party tool or seek professional assistance from a specialized file recovery service to attempt full recovery.
Original Photo (before CryptXXX V3 infection)
Photo after partial data decryption
It’s important to be aware that Trend Micro Technical Support has limited capabilities to provide assistance regarding third-party file recovery tools or services.
Trend Micro explicitly states that it does not endorse or have any affiliation with the JPEGSnoop project. It is mentioned solely as an illustrative example of the kind of recovery tool users may need to consider when dealing with files beyond the scope of the primary cryptolocker file scan tool’s capabilities.
