chrome_update.exe

Google Chrome

Air Software

Warning, this is not the legitimate setup program for Google Chrome. 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 Google Chrome. The application chrome_update.exe, “Google Chrome ” by Air Software has been detected as adware by 33 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the AirInstaller Download Manager installer. This program installs potentially unwanted software on your PC at the same time as the software you are trying to install, without adequate consent. The installer is marketed through download protals and search ads as Google's Chrome web browser but will also install additional software offers which include adware, PUPs and browser toolbars.
Publisher:
AirInstaller   (signed by Air Software)

Product:
Google Chrome

Description:
Google Chrome

Version:
2.0.4.59

MD5:
c29e21ab7943880c67c868bae1e396e6

SHA-1:
0af3632de7c4cd054ca287abca25c0515ba42c25

SHA-256:
e8ff1b827c9b4302c14d450d7a7b2981e071503868ac1c4ce795914d10d5d317

Scanner detections:
33 / 68

Status:
Adware

Description:
This is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
12/26/2024 3:40:33 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Gen:Variant.Application.Bundler.AirInstaller.4
495

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.AirAd
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
Adware/Win32.AirAdInstaller
15.09.28

Avira AntiVirus
ADWARE/Adware.Gen
7.11.138.122

avast!
Win32:Installer-L [PUP]
2014.9-150928

AVG
Adware Generic_r
2016.0.2973

Bitdefender
Application.Bundler.L
1.0.20.1355

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6267

Clam AntiVirus
Win.Adware.Airadinstaller-65
0.98/19328

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.AirAdInstaller.A
17979

Dr.Web
Trojan.SMSSend.4653
9.0.1.0271

Emsisoft Anti-Malware
Gen:Variant.Application.Bundler.AirInstaller
8.15.09.28.08

ESET NOD32
Win32/AirAdInstaller.A potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/AirInstall.C.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

F-Secure
Riskware.Gen:Variant.Application.Bundler
11.2015-28-09_2

G Data
Win32.Adware.Airadinstaller
15.9.24

IKARUS anti.virus
AdWare.Airinstall
t3scan.2.2.29

K7 AntiVirus
Adware
13.176.11524

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.AirAdInstaller
14.0.0.1358

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.AirInstaller
v2015.09.28.08

McAfee
Trojan.Artemis!6FFD8BAAE04A
5600.6629

MicroWorld eScan
Application.Bundler.L
16.0.0.813

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.AirAdInstaller.cznxtr
0.28.0.60577

nProtect
Trojan-Clicker/W32.AirAdInstaller.824744
14.06.20.01

Panda Antivirus
Adware/AirInstaller
15.09.28.08

Qihoo 360 Security
Malware.QVM01.Gen
1.0.0.1015

Quick Heal
Adware.AirAdInstaller.C5
9.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Air Software.AirSoftware.Bundler (M)
15.9.28.8

Rising Antivirus
PE:PUF.Airinstall!1.9C4C
23.00.65.15926

Sophos
AirInstaller
4.98

Vba32 AntiVirus
AdWare.AirAdInstaller
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
AirInstaller
27668

Zillya! Antivirus
Adware.AirAdInstaller.Win32.241
2.0.0.1847

File size:
816.4 KB (836,008 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.59

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\chrome_update.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
1/24/2013 6:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2015 6:59:59 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:
10/24/2013 4:19:29 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:hAwPSrXW0jGsBP9Ht2HPgBWqGDBfHCXVLpeWFmfyJss3ikJIaQnwzptnc8xnjMpB:OWStgHPgvYtH1ZK2AJHz0OgXnwbvm

Entry address:
0x25D240

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, B0, 59, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 60, 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:
7.8792

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA

Code size:
780 KB (798,720 bytes)

The file chrome_update.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

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