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christmascotawp.exe

InstallIQ Installation Utility

InstallX, 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 christmascotawp.exe by InstallX 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 InstallIQ Installation Manager installer. The file has been seen being downloaded from dl.installiq.com.
Publisher:
InstallX, LLC  (signed and verified)

Product:
InstallIQ Installation Utility

Version:
2.136.3.0

MD5:
99b8f9910ea0c9e6ca12828b30861d4b

SHA-1:
9c1f5396c119ba0b0627982085bebd2b3d41a432

SHA-256:
b990e29018df0c7e70ae16fe13b279bc5a5a8c1eede9c73edefefa4d26a777ec

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.

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:
4/19/2024 5:15:11 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.InstallX.Installer (M)
15.12.19.11

File size:
1.8 MB (1,917,008 bytes)

Product version:
2.136.3.0

Copyright:
Copyright ©2013 InstallX, LLC. All rights reserved.

Original file name:
InstallIQ.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
InstallIQ Installation Manager

Language:
English (United States)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\christmascotawp.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
InstallX, LLC

Authority:
DigiCert Inc

Valid from:
3/21/2013 5:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2014 5:00:00 AM

Subject:
CN="InstallX, LLC", O="InstallX, LLC", L=Sartell, S=Minnesota, C=US

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

Serial number:
030985B5A39F75A13A497DAB8BF611F7

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
11/6/2013 8:48:07 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
11.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:jHo31C4PUaZ3/wtYsCOu56Z8vrvBFzvs+1w9i8Th1JarZpYgmnStoGrTjeGCu6rp:jHsxiS7w9i8ErMgicoGrTqu6rIKj

Entry address:
0xEEE9

Entry point:
E8, B5, 88, 00, 00, E9, 00, 00, 00, 00, 6A, 14, 68, F0, 86, 57, 00, E8, F1, 47, 00, 00, E8, B9, 6A, 00, 00, 0F, B7, F0, 6A, 02, E8, 48, 88, 00, 00, 59, B8, 4D, 5A, 00, 00, 66, 39, 05, 00, 00, 40, 00, 74, 04, 33, DB, EB, 33, A1, 3C, 00, 40, 00, 81, B8, 00, 00, 40, 00, 50, 45, 00, 00, 75, EB, B9, 0B, 01, 00, 00, 66, 39, 88, 18, 00, 40, 00, 75, DD, 33, DB, 83, B8, 74, 00, 40, 00, 0E, 76, 09, 39, 98, E8, 00, 40, 00, 0F, 95, C3, 89, 5D, E4, E8, D5, 64, 00, 00, 85, C0, 75, 08, 6A, 1C, E8, DC, 00, 00, 00, 59, E8...
 
[+]

Entropy:
6.6913

Code size:
1.2 MB (1,262,592 bytes)

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

http://dl.installiq.com/.../DownloadPOP.aspx?SessionId=5127a02a-4720-4795-a395-ba7a8f63a6a8&ShortName=christmascotawp&a=14297&f=wallpapers&trafficsrctype=ICN

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