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spstub.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 spstub.exe by ClientConnect 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 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 sp-storage.spccinta.com and multiple other hosts.
Publisher:
Client Connect  (signed by ClientConnect LTD)

Description:
Search Protect

Version:
2.4.1.11

MD5:
c25e1b4f2bb13f24ffcfb66342d895f6

SHA-1:
3b29c36ccb0fd00a0812896e61d3ae6ce18e5eee

SHA-256:
e447ee50d538c0f54cf1106edb0d52fa6a7a2a23c63d765968857036d35d9cfd

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.

Analysis date:
12/24/2024 5:14:08 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.ClientConnect.G
14.5.7.16

File size:
230.6 KB (236,176 bytes)

Copyright:
© 2014 Client Connect 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}\spstub.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
ClientConnect LTD

Authority:
Symantec Corporation

Valid from:
4/29/2014 2:00:00 AM

Valid to:
4/30/2016 1:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=ClientConnect LTD, OU=SPStub, O=ClientConnect LTD, L=Ness Ziona, S=Israel, C=IL

Issuer:
CN=Symantec Class 3 SHA256 Code Signing CA, OU=Symantec Trust Network, O=Symantec Corporation, C=US

Serial number:
36AC210D3412C8646EB3F4C8EE541402

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
7/6/2011 4:31:20 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:9mJIvREm4zXfnnAgWC0j3JrTB2CA3FSwN:9mJ26TnVajJHBwbN

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...
 
[+]

Packer / compiler:
Nullsoft install system v2.x

Code size:
25 KB (25,600 bytes)

The file spstub.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://sp-storage.spccinta.com/.../spstub.vtsafe.exe

http://sp-storage.spccinta.com/.../spstub.exe

https://sp-storage.conduit-services.com/.../spstub.exe

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

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to a2-16-120-138.deploy.akamaitechnologies.com  (2.16.120.138:80)

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