chrome_setup.exe

Google Chrome

Air Software

Warning, this is not the legitimate setup program for Google Chrome. The setup is bootstrapped by the Air Installer 'download manager' (a pay-per-install monetization download manager) that bundles unwanted software (adware, toolbars, extensions) during setup while deciving the user into thinking they are downloading the stadard installation setup from Google Chrome. The application chrome_setup.exe by Air Software 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 AirInstaller Download Manager installer. The installer is marketed through download protals and search ads as Google's Chrome web browser but will also install additional software offers which include adware, PUPs and browser toolbars.
Publisher:
AirInstaller Inc.  (signed by Air Software)

Product:
Google Chrome

Version:
2.0.4.14

MD5:
4dc844811794c2b82db8d071450ec59b

SHA-1:
16265234ac296514281b3824c225a3e04fdf044a

SHA-256:
3215951a98cf61d4a2a46c0710ef0cd40d315fefb5c7637a2eb7e7213d222daf

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.

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:
4/25/2024 4:54:18 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Air Software.AirSoftw.Bundler (M)
16.6.6.11

File size:
804.9 KB (824,232 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.14

Copyright:
(c) AirInstaller. All rights reserved.

Original file name:
AirInstaller.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
AirInstaller Download Manager

Language:
English (United States)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
1/24/2013 4:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2015 4:59:59 PM

Subject:
CN=Air Software, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O=Air Software, L=Victoria, S=British Columbia, C=CA

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:
3AC786E09219DF82DA830E461D4FC39F

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
8/9/2013 2:13:12 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:ET/ETLJlvsqzerrcKtQyTGPILv5dLt6kyO5WfyHDn7u:c83errlt8Mt6kt5cwm

Entry address:
0x2514E0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 20, 59, 00, 8D, BE, 00, F0, E6, 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:
7.8797

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA

Code size:
768 KB (786,432 bytes)

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

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