adobe-reader.exe

Adobe Reader

Air Software

Warning, this is not the legitimate setup program for Adobe Reader. The setup is bootstrapped by the Air Installer 'download manager' (a pay-per-install monetization download manager) that bundles unwanted software (adware, toolbars, extensions) during setup while deciving the user into thinking they are downloading the stadard installation setup from Adobe Reader. The application adobe-reader.exe, “Adobe Reader ” by Air Software has been detected as adware by 11 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the AirInstaller Download Manager installer. The installer is marketed through download protals and search ads as Adobe's free Reader but will also install additional software offers which include adware, PUPs and browser toolbars.
Publisher:
AirInstaller   (signed by Air Software)

Product:
Adobe Reader

Description:
Adobe Reader

Version:
2.0.4.68

MD5:
a5d4250c7c2c53bf7ccad9f1cebfafce

SHA-1:
4dc3d31171fbcdfa685f62dab42b92b3b167a3ee

SHA-256:
00525f21a035c86c48a355407de63e347329f899678914d6d997149e4a20a636

Scanner detections:
11 / 68

Status:
Adware

Description:
This 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
11/2/2024 11:35:21 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

avast!
Win32:Installer-L [PUP]
2014.9-140201

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.AirAdInstaller.A
17497

Dr.Web
Trojan.SMSSend.4722
9.0.1.032

ESET NOD32
Win32/AirAdInstaller (variant)
8.9190

K7 AntiVirus
Adware
13.174.10623

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.AirInstaller
v2014.02.01.12

Reason Heuristics
DownloadManager.AirSoftware.M
14.8.7.18

Rising Antivirus
PE:PUF.Airinstall!1.9C4C
23.00.65.14130

Sophos
AirInstaller
4.96

Vba32 AntiVirus
AdWare.AirAdInstaller
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
AirInstaller
24734

File size:
817.9 KB (837,544 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.68

Copyright:
(c) AirInstaller

Original file name:
setup.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
AirInstaller Download Manager

Language:
English (United States)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\adobe-reader.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
1/24/2013 4:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2015 4:59:59 PM

Subject:
CN=Air Software, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O=Air Software, L=Victoria, S=British Columbia, C=CA

Issuer:
CN=VeriSign Class 3 Code Signing 2010 CA, OU=Terms of use at https://www.verisign.com/rpa (c)10, OU=VeriSign Trust Network, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US

Serial number:
3AC786E09219DF82DA830E461D4FC39F

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
12/11/2013 3:12:51 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:DRBz/DWOVOVbzUKMiC0fAPPh5vovrC64k4uRVJ:DRBz/qBUKMiX01ovrC6ca

Entry address:
0x25E680

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, C0, 59, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 50, E6, FF, 57, 83, CD, FF, EB, 10, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 8A, 06, 46, 88, 07, 47, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 72, ED, B8, 01, 00, 00, 00, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 11, C0, 01, DB, 73, 0B, 75, 28, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 72, 1F, 48, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 11, C0, EB, D4, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 11, C9, EB, 52, 31, C9, 83, E8, 03, 72, 11, C1, E0, 08, 8A, 06, 46, 83, F0, FF, 74, 75, D1, F8, 89...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.8779

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA]

Code size:
780 KB (798,720 bytes)

The file adobe-reader.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

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