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. With this installer, users are expecting to download Google's Chrome web browser but before that occurs they may be presented with additional offers, mostly potentially unwanted software or adware.
Publisher:
AirInstaller   (signed by Air Software)

Product:
Google Chrome

Description:
Google Chrome

Version:
2.0.4.60

MD5:
574d982312686f0c6c09184aca1290e6

SHA-1:
b3600117acdabcb487e187de558da1fc36bacc5b

SHA-256:
333fe7038d44e9672f38c4cb47b0bb4e3a025153dac6d8b7f193b43522d7c6a1

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 also known as bundleware, or downloadware, which is an downloader designed to simply deliver ad-supported offers in the setup routine of an otherwise legitimate software.

Analysis date:
12/26/2024 4:04:58 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Air Software.AirSoftw.Bundler (M)
16.5.15.6

File size:
816.4 KB (836,008 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.60

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:
10/28/2013 12:14:04 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:3pfkL+1vdXMy2D7oROSIuYQ6iwKNHxt34:3pcCj8yKKOqYL+Ru

Entry address:
0x25D2A0

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:
7.8795

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.

Remove chrome_update.exe - Powered by Reason Core Security