chrome_update.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_update.exe, “Google Chrome ” by Air Software has been detected as adware by 26 anti-malware scanners. 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   (signed by Air Software)

Product:
Google Chrome

Description:
Google Chrome

Version:
2.0.4.50

MD5:
39d4b77d45106519f6f38ec88faf5028

SHA-1:
9334a4d5d9963981429c8b89c6379313154df9d0

SHA-256:
8c98207eec828ed47077d70cb57d7940eca2a7c409048f4cd54a75db2cdb4325

Scanner detections:
26 / 68

Status:
Adware

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:
4/23/2024 7:21:15 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.AirAdInstaller
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
PUP/Win32.AirAdInstaller
14.07.15

Avira AntiVirus
ADWARE/Adware.Gen
7.11.141.72

avast!
Adware-gen [Adw]
140617-1

AVG
Adware Generic_r.IZ
2014.0.3986

Clam AntiVirus
Win.Adware.Airadinstaller-55
0.98/19168

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.AirAdInstaller.A
18047

Dr.Web
Trojan.SMSSend.4566
9.0.1.05190

ESET NOD32
Win32/AirAdInstaller.A potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/AirInstall.A.gen
v6.4.6.5.141

G Data
Win32.Adware.Airadinstaller
14.7.24

IKARUS anti.virus
AdWare.Airinstall
t3scan.2.2.29

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.176.11663

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.AirAdInstaller
14.0.0.3441

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.AirInstaller
v2014.07.15.12

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.AirAdInstaller.cxutek
0.28.0.60253

nProtect
Trojan-Clicker/W32.AirAdInstaller.824744
14.06.20.01

Panda Antivirus
Adware/AirInstaller
14.07.15.12

Qihoo 360 Security
Malware.QVM01.Gen
1.0.0.1015

Quick Heal
Adware.AirAdInstaller.C5
8.14.14.00

Reason Heuristics
DownloadManager.AirSoftware.N
14.8.7.18

Rising Antivirus
PE:PUF.Airinstall!1.9C4C
23.00.65.14713

Sophos
AirInstaller
4.98

Vba32 AntiVirus
AdWare.AirAdInstaller
3.12.26.0

VIPRE Antivirus
AirInstaller
28036

Zillya! Antivirus
Adware.AirAdInstaller.Win32.241
2.0.0.1847

File size:
813.9 KB (833,448 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.50

Copyright:
(c) AirInstaller

Original file name:
setup.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
AirInstaller Download Manager

Language:
English (United States)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
1/24/2013 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2015 7:59:59 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:
10/10/2013 2:04:46 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:7GZb5Adj0scxG0joAD7tiXVnBXhmu/SbkUwThLinKg40XPB:72AdC00MQ7tcxNhmocwhOC0Z

Entry address:
0x25B900

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, A0, 59, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 70, 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:
7.8795

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA]

Code size:
776 KB (794,624 bytes)

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

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