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install_reader.exe

Adobe Reader

Install Manager

This adware bundler is distributed through Adknowledge's advertising supported software managers. The application install_reader.exe, “Adobe Reader ” by Install Manager 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 Adknowledge Fusion installer. It is also typically executed from an Internet Explorer cache folder. The file has been seen being downloaded from files.downloadwizard.com.
Publisher:
Install Manager   (signed by Install Manager)

Product:
Adobe Reader

Description:
Adobe Reader

Version:
2.0.85.0

MD5:
701ce9c3cc6a1d773f16b8dc7b805c9a

SHA-1:
649255f9ecdce3e98fc5f3f9945fcf5ad41e9d36

SHA-256:
623ba62f3ff5f85628423c553ff4806f9d98b8834c65ac4ffb9683ec77119adf

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
This installer bundles various adware prorgams that may include toolbars and web browser advertising injectors/extensions.

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:
11/27/2024 12:40:31 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Adknowledge.InstallM.Installer (M)
16.6.10.21

File size:
913.9 KB (935,832 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.85.0

Copyright:
(c) Install Manager

Original file name:
setup.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Adknowledge Fusion

Language:
English (United States)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Install Manager

Authority:
DigiCert Inc

Valid from:
8/6/2013 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
8/11/2015 7:00:00 AM

Subject:
CN=Install Manager, O=Install Manager, L=Victoria, S=British Columbia, C=CA

Issuer:
CN=DigiCert Assured ID Code Signing CA-1, OU=www.digicert.com, O=DigiCert Inc, C=US

Serial number:
06C0BBB90999729C33560EC18A203261

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
9/26/2014 1:31:30 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:2NhhJK9s1iPB3aJi4Wc16V3yH/oN01n2L4aysRrHj:2NhhJ+i63ci4N6JyH/oen2ca9B

Entry address:
0x2A3B80

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 00, 5D, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 10, E3, 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:
7.8734

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA

Code size:
848 KB (868,352 bytes)

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

http://files.downloadwizard.com/get/click/.../?sid=ppc&uid=48477414&filename=install_reader

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