Why This Exists

Por Que Isto Existe

The starting point for this guide was a successful recovery of encrypted RAR archives: after removing the ransomware suffix, checking archive structure, testing integrity, and extracting into a clean folder, the recovered files were usable and intact. That helped recover some real files, so this method may help other victims in some way too.

O ponto de partida deste guia foi uma recuperacao bem-sucedida de arquivos RAR criptografados: apos remover o sufixo do ransomware, verificar a estrutura do arquivo, testar integridade e extrair em uma pasta limpa, os arquivos recuperados ficaram utilizaveis e intactos. E isso me ajudou a recuperar alguns arquivos, entao deve ajuda-los de alguma forma tambem.

Ransomware victims often find fake decryptors, payment pressure, and confusing advice. This guide is meant to help defenders, technicians, and affected users try careful recovery steps before giving up on damaged files.

Vitimas de ransomware encontram muitos falsos descriptografadores, pressao por pagamento e orientacoes confusas. Este guia existe para ajudar defensores, tecnicos e usuarios afetados a tentar passos cuidadosos de recuperacao antes de desistir dos arquivos danificados.

Use it when you have encrypted .want_to_cry samples and want Codex CLI to attempt structured recovery, not blind execution of unknown tools.

Use quando voce tiver amostras .want_to_cry e quiser que o Codex CLI tente recuperacao estruturada, nao execucao cega de ferramentas desconhecidas.

• RAR recovery: try extension repair, header checks, archive validation, and safe extraction from copies.
• Recuperacao RAR: tentar reparo de extensao, verificacao de cabecalho, validacao do arquivo e extracao segura em copias.
• Header recovery: compare against known clean files and rebuild only when the file format structure makes sense.
• Recuperacao de cabecalho: comparar com arquivos limpos conhecidos e reconstruir apenas quando a estrutura do formato fizer sentido.
• Database/page recovery: validate with native tools such as Firebird gfix, gbak, and restore tests.
• Recuperacao de banco/paginas: validar com ferramentas nativas como Firebird gfix, gbak e testes de restore.
• Community mindset: document what worked and what failed so other victims can learn from the process.
• Mentalidade colaborativa: documentar o que funcionou e o que falhou para que outras vitimas possam aprender com o processo.

What Is Codex CLI?

O Que E o Codex CLI?

Codex CLI is OpenAI's coding-agent interface for working inside a local folder from the command line. In a recovery workflow, it can help inspect files, organize evidence, write safe scripts, compare headers, generate hashes, build reports, and run trusted validation tools when authorized.

Codex CLI e a interface de agente de codigo da OpenAI para trabalhar dentro de uma pasta local pela linha de comando. Em um fluxo de recuperacao, ele pode ajudar a inspecionar arquivos, organizar evidencias, escrever scripts seguros, comparar cabecalhos, gerar hashes, montar relatorios e executar ferramentas confiaveis de validacao quando autorizado.

Brief Codex CLI Install Guide

Tutorial Breve de Instalacao do Codex CLI

There are two simple ways to install Codex on Windows. The easiest path is to open the official Microsoft Store, search for Codex, install the OpenAI Codex app, and sign in. If you prefer the terminal, use winget.

Existem duas formas simples de instalar o Codex no Windows. O caminho mais facil e abrir a Microsoft Store oficial, pesquisar por Codex, instalar o app OpenAI Codex e fazer login. Se preferir pelo terminal, use winget.

Option 1: Microsoft Store

Opcao 1: Microsoft Store

Open Microsoft Store, search for Codex, choose the OpenAI Codex app, install it, then open the app and sign in with your account.

Abra a Microsoft Store, pesquise por Codex, escolha o app OpenAI Codex, instale, abra o aplicativo e entre com sua conta.

Option 2: Terminal install

Opcao 2: Instalacao pelo terminal

winget install Codex -s msstore
codex login
codex doctor

If browser login is not available, try device-code login:

Se o login pelo navegador nao estiver disponivel, tente login por codigo de dispositivo:

codex login --device-auth

Official manual sources used for this page: Codex CLI command reference, Windows install guidance, and sandbox/permissions guidance from the Codex manual.

Fontes oficiais usadas nesta pagina: referencia de comandos do Codex CLI, orientacao de instalacao no Windows e orientacao de sandbox/permissoes do manual do Codex.

Full Access Mode

Modo Full Access

For forensic recovery, full access can be useful when Codex needs to read tools, write output folders, and run validators. Use it only inside an isolated recovery workspace.

Para recuperacao forense, full access pode ajudar quando o Codex precisa ler ferramentas, gravar pastas de saida e executar validadores. Use apenas dentro de um workspace isolado de recuperacao.

codex --sandbox danger-full-access --ask-for-approval never

The shorter equivalent flag is:

A flag curta equivalente e:

codex --yolo

Codex CLI Recovery Prompt

Prompt de Recuperacao para Codex CLI

Paste this into Codex CLI from a folder that contains only recovery copies, not originals. The prompt asks Codex to behave like a careful recovery assistant: preserve evidence, test hypotheses, and clearly separate success from partial or failed attempts.

Cole isto no Codex CLI a partir de uma pasta que contenha somente copias de recuperacao, nao os originais. O prompt pede que o Codex aja como um assistente cuidadoso de recuperacao: preservar evidencias, testar hipoteses e separar claramente sucesso, recuperacao parcial e falha.

You are working in an isolated forensic recovery workspace. Do not execute unknown malware or ransomware samples. Do not modify original encrypted files. Work only on copies.

Goal:
Attempt structured recovery of files encrypted with the .want_to_cry extension, prioritizing RAR archives and header/page reconstruction methods. This is not a request to pay ransom, contact attackers, or run untrusted decryptors. Preserve evidence and produce logs.

Input:
- A folder containing copied .want_to_cry files.
- Possible clean reference files or older backups, when available.
- Optional official decryptor tools from trusted vendors, but do not execute any unknown third-party binary without analysis.

Required safety rules:
1. Create a RECOVERY_WORKSPACE folder.
2. Copy every target file into ORIGINAL_COPY and TENTATIVAS/ATTEMPTS folders.
3. Calculate SHA256, size, timestamps, and keep a CSV inventory.
4. Never overwrite the original encrypted source.
5. Log every attempt and every generated output.

RAR recovery workflow:
1. For each *.rar.want_to_cry file, create a copy with the .want_to_cry suffix removed.
2. Check the first bytes for RAR signatures:
   - RAR4: 52 61 72 21 1A 07 00
   - RAR5: 52 61 72 21 1A 07 01 00
3. Check whether the RAR signature exists at offset 0 or later offsets.
4. If a valid RAR signature exists at a later offset, carve from that offset to a new .rar file.
5. Test archive integrity with 7-Zip/WinRAR if available. Do not extract into production folders.
6. If the first block/header is damaged but the archive body exists, try header grafting only with a compatible clean RAR made by the same tool/version and similar archive settings.
7. Save recovered archives and extracted files into RECOVERED_RAR only after successful validation.

Header and structured file recovery workflow:
1. Identify file type by extension and binary signatures.
2. Search for internal signatures, magic bytes, metadata strings, and known structures.
3. Compare damaged files with clean references of the same application/version.
4. Attempt minimal header reconstruction in copies only.
5. Validate with native tools for that format.

Database/page recovery workflow:
1. For Firebird/FDB, inspect page size and page headers.
2. Use Firebird tools matching the ODS version.
3. Try gfix validation, gbak backup, and restore tests only on copies.
4. If a clean reference database exists, compare page hashes and page types.
5. Replace only damaged structural pages in a copy when the page layout is compatible.
6. Validate the candidate with gfix, create a gbak backup, restore to a fresh database, and count tables/records.

Output:
- RECOVERY_REPORT.txt explaining every attempt.
- INVENTORY_HASHES.csv.
- ATTEMPT_LOG.csv.
- RECOVERED files in separate folders.
- A clear conclusion: recovered, partially recovered, or not recoverable with current evidence.

Important:
If no usable structure remains, say so clearly. Do not claim decryption success unless the recovered file opens and validates with native tools.

Suggested Community Workflow

Fluxo Colaborativo Sugerido

1. Create an offline recovery folder on a clean workstation.
2. Crie uma pasta de recuperacao offline em uma estacao limpa.
3. Copy a small set of encrypted samples and one known clean reference file if available.
4. Copie um pequeno conjunto de amostras criptografadas e um arquivo limpo de referencia, se existir.
5. Start Codex CLI from that folder using default permissions first.
6. Inicie o Codex CLI nessa pasta usando permissoes padrao primeiro.
7. Use full access only if validation tools require it, and only inside the isolated workspace.
8. Use full access somente se ferramentas de validacao exigirem, e apenas dentro do workspace isolado.
9. Review hashes, logs, and validation output before trusting any recovered file.
10. Revise hashes, logs e saidas de validacao antes de confiar em qualquer arquivo recuperado.
11. Share only non-sensitive findings: method, file type, tool versions, and validation result. Never publish private data.
12. Compartilhe apenas achados sem dados sensiveis: metodo, tipo de arquivo, versoes das ferramentas e resultado da validacao. Nunca publique dados privados.