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games_a0.exe

InstallIQ

W3i, LLC

The InstallIQ (InstallX) installation program is a co-bundle stub that devlivers software monetization offers during installation. These offers include web browser toolbars and extensions. The application games_a0.exe, “InstallIQ Installation Utility” by W3i has been detected as adware by 1 anti-malware scanner with very strong indications that the file is a potential threat. It is also typically executed from an Internet Explorer cache folder. The file has been seen being downloaded from files.games-village.com.
Publisher:
W3i, LLC  (signed and verified)

Product:
InstallIQ

Description:
InstallIQ Installation Utility

Version:
1.120.0.0

MD5:
a359ae7d3d44e51de2cbf86e2f59640f

SHA-1:
7c3a09cf3d17c68bd57cbed5a984f11cf35d13bb

SHA-256:
3f31e773cddba16b3e9acbad8f51c42795aa573066dfff2a736997cfe3fbbb93

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
InstallIQ is a bundled offer download and install manager that is designed to show sponsored offers during installation that typically includes adware type toolbars, browser extensions and plugin or other potentially unwanted software along with the promised application.

Analysis date:
1/13/2025 4:10:14 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.InstallX.W3i.Installer (M)
15.12.7.12

File size:
434.7 KB (445,120 bytes)

Product version:
1.120.0.0

Copyright:
Copyright ©2010 W3i Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved.

Original file name:
InstallIQStub.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Language:
English (United States)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\{random}\games_a0.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
W3i, LLC

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
6/18/2011 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
7/1/2013 7:59:59 PM

Subject:
CN="W3i, LLC", OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O="W3i, LLC", L=Sartell, S=Minnesota, C=US

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:
6A5D73F262C38BBD4578AB6AD713318D

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
12/3/2012 9:26:54 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:kq+jjoHovDxF1XyIk7HvSwJTfVuTP8Rfxjlxd:kq+wHovLs7HvSwhfVuTP8pdlv

Entry address:
0xD5FE

Entry point:
E8, C5, 85, 00, 00, E9, 78, FE, FF, FF, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, 8B, 54, 24, 0C, 8B, 4C, 24, 04, 85, D2, 74, 69, 33, C0, 8A, 44, 24, 08, 84, C0, 75, 16, 81, FA, 00, 01, 00, 00, 72, 0E, 83, 3D, E4, 70, 46, 00, 00, 74, 05, E9, 79, 86, 00, 00, 57, 8B, F9, 83, FA, 04, 72, 31, F7, D9, 83, E1, 03, 74, 0C, 2B, D1, 88, 07, 83, C7, 01, 83, E9, 01, 75, F6, 8B, C8, C1, E0, 08, 03, C1, 8B, C8, C1, E0, 10, 03, C1, 8B, CA, 83, E2, 03, C1, E9, 02, 74, 06, F3, AB, 85, D2, 74, 0A, 88, 07, 83, C7, 01, 83, EA, 01, 75...
 
[+]

Entropy:
6.4153

Code size:
292 KB (299,008 bytes)

The file games_a0.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://files.games-village.com/games_a0.exe

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