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hotspot_shield.exe

ClientConnect LTD

The file belongs to the ClientConnect (Conduit/Perion) platform, a utility that bundles and monetizes search toolbars and browser add-ons. The application hotspot_shield.exe by ClientConnect has been detected as adware by 10 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) installer. It is also typically executed from an Internet Explorer cache folder. The file has been seen being downloaded from fft.conduit-download.com. While running, it connects to the Internet address cms.dmccint.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
ClientConnect Ltd.  (signed by ClientConnect LTD)

Description:
1.10.0.6

Version:
10.29.0.20

MD5:
c213ce6883050bb590607e99e14d63b5

SHA-1:
3ebc99095a5e45f2cdfa33c4198d5664c0ff2099

SHA-256:
5809a48d78abccf77f2cea20861617bc0c9b4233ebc33b71844adbdfc8679069

Scanner detections:
10 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
Bundles the Conduit Toolbar and/or Conduit Search Protect.

Analysis date:
11/23/2024 7:42:51 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Conduit.15
9.0.1.0117

ESET NOD32
Win32/Conduit.SearchProtect
8.9725

G Data
Win32.Application.ConduitTB
14.4.24

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A
v2014.04.27.07

McAfee
Artemis!C213CE688305
5600.7148

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.BGuard.csnycu
0.28.0.59492

Panda Antivirus
PUP/Conduit.A
14.04.27.07

Reason Heuristics
PUP.ClientConnect.O
14.8.1.0

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0424
7.2.117

VIPRE Antivirus
Trojan.Win32.Generic!SB.0
28606

File size:
2.6 MB (2,773,320 bytes)

Copyright:
© 2014 ClientConnect Ltd.

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Installer:
NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System)

Language:
Language Neutral

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
ClientConnect LTD

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
2/3/2014 2:00:00 AM

Valid to:
2/5/2016 1:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=ClientConnect LTD, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, OU=Trovi TB, O=ClientConnect LTD, L=Ness Ziona, S=Israel, C=IL

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:
43E7738E282F77369A5A4C0ED31A3C9F

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
4/10/2010 2:19:31 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
49152:4N5aZB6ZcJnAlNpEjjUuJ5lTM42JwQilAFKA7Oa6cpVrdxjZmeT+86x:4rO6Z6ngmjUuC4UwQsDA7OJcp5dh0ejA

Entry address:
0x354B

Entry point:
81, EC, D4, 02, 00, 00, 53, 55, 56, 57, 6A, 20, 33, ED, 5E, 89, 6C, 24, 18, C7, 44, 24, 10, D8, 84, 40, 00, 89, 6C, 24, 14, FF, 15, 30, 80, 40, 00, 68, 01, 80, 00, 00, FF, 15, B8, 80, 40, 00, 55, FF, 15, B0, 82, 40, 00, 6A, 08, A3, 98, 06, 47, 00, E8, 67, 27, 00, 00, 55, 68, B4, 02, 00, 00, A3, B0, 05, 47, 00, 8D, 44, 24, 38, 50, 55, 68, 1C, 86, 40, 00, FF, 15, 80, 81, 40, 00, 68, 04, 86, 40, 00, 68, A0, 85, 46, 00, E8, 35, 26, 00, 00, FF, 15, B4, 80, 40, 00, 50, BF, A0, 10, 4C, 00, 57, E8, 23, 26, 00, 00...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9982

Packer / compiler:
Nullsoft install system v2.x

Code size:
25 KB (25,600 bytes)

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

http://fft.conduit-download.com/52/156/CT1561552/Downloads/Firefox/Releases/10.29.0.20/.../hotspot_shield.exe

The executing file has been seen to make the following network communication in live environments.

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to cms.dmccint.com  (23.67.242.80:80)

 
http://cms.dmccint.com/DynamicOffer/4374901/4396024/?mainofferId=4371467&CurrentStep=2&TotalSteps=4&DownloadBrowser=IE&CType=-1&UserMode=-1&DMVersion=1.3.3.39.4394890.01&Language=US-EN

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