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software_update.exe

Software Updater

Install Manager

This adware bundler is distributed through Adknowledge's advertising supported software managers. The application software_update.exe, “Software Updater ” 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. The file has been seen being downloaded from download.install-free.net.
Publisher:
Install Manager   (signed by Install Manager)

Product:
Software Updater

Description:
Software Updater

Version:
2.0.86.0

MD5:
f35c573d7c9041707bf50df200b40a84

SHA-1:
719f39a9aa89d34a5008e4292018c5a8a3d372b3

SHA-256:
24f51803ce41198a362e07f51658bb001e236e8aa7d29bd0d0f8ddd55176a9eb

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 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
11/30/2024 3:28:53 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Adknowledge.InstallM.Installer (M)
16.7.8.3

File size:
914.9 KB (936,856 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.86.0

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}\downloads\software_update.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Install Manager

Authority:
DigiCert Inc

Valid from:
8/6/2013 5:00:00 PM

Valid to:
8/11/2015 5:00:00 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:
9/30/2014 2:05:31 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:paVixjmoynTM34MpHWa5wXTRCsv924BmwQZeZs:p0Ymez2q2Csv8Gmw1K

Entry address:
0x2A4FA0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 10, 5D, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 00, 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:
7.8739

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA

Code size:
852 KB (872,448 bytes)

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

http://download.install-free.net/get/click/.../?uid=1412770523716_1412770520351_130_481_240757616_1&sid=ADV-sft-555&filename=Software_Update

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