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 1 anti-malware scanner with very strong indications that the file is a potential threat. The program is a setup application that uses the AirInstaller Download Manager installer. 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:
2.0.4.57

MD5:
97851b07c0f1decaaef176062bd8ff14

SHA-1:
a7493a53808b2eb1a5898d98fd8f0937e194f7ab

SHA-256:
98d432025cad9feecf274eac3774a44ab77698f864a99b1048668c4a9834e1f2

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Adware

Note:
Our current pool of anti-malware engines have not currently detected this file, however based on our own detection heuristics we feel that this file is unwanted.

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 3:42:50 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Air Software.AirSoftw.Bundler (M)
16.6.6.9

File size:
815.9 KB (835,496 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.57

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 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2015 7:59:59 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:
10/21/2013 12:26:42 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:JnvGYxu26XsERv60jIk75i2FFhozSwmF/W3WzWYDFANLF6d:Ju06cERv5IkViM4zfmQ32JFv

Entry address:
0x25D110

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:
7.8797

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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