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cottageawp.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 cottageawp.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:
2.128.0.0

MD5:
53765d177a8c9a5e1cad65b0b3eecaad

SHA-1:
c978db5f774751ff006fc28e73ce9cd0f9bb05cf

SHA-256:
21bc59a5aa0834f4b2aae5c925fd37a0fd9d25f754b676ad48685d171602601c

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 is also known as bundleware, or downloadware, which is an downloader designed to simply deliver ad-supported offers in the setup routine of an otherwise legitimate software.

Analysis date:
4/24/2024 8:36:22 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.InstallX.Installer (M)
16.7.12.17

File size:
1.5 MB (1,607,760 bytes)

Product version:
2.128.0.0

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\cottageawp.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
InstallX, LLC

Authority:
DigiCert Inc

Valid from:
3/22/2013 12:00:00 AM

Valid to:
3/26/2014 12:00:00 PM

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:
4/8/2013 8:30:51 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
49152:/7koKj34SeUatpcpY5SHfDoEtxM2CEqZsP6LkJTUTFjnbI+:/7koKbJLoE7SkJEjbT

Entry address:
0xE8EC

Entry point:
E8, 40, 94, 00, 00, E9, 78, FE, FF, FF, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, CC, 8B, 4C, 24, 04, F7, C1, 03, 00, 00, 00, 74, 24, 8A, 01, 83, C1, 01, 84, C0, 74, 4E, F7, C1, 03, 00, 00, 00, 75, EF, 05, 00, 00, 00, 00, 8D, A4, 24, 00, 00, 00, 00, 8D, A4, 24, 00, 00, 00, 00, 8B, 01, BA, FF, FE, FE, 7E, 03, D0, 83, F0, FF, 33, C2, 83, C1, 04, A9, 00, 01, 01, 81, 74, E8, 8B, 41, FC, 84, C0, 74, 32, 84, E4, 74, 24, A9, 00, 00, FF, 00, 74, 13, A9, 00, 00, 00, FF, 74, 02, EB, CD, 8D, 41, FF, 8B, 4C, 24, 04, 2B, C1...
 
[+]

Code size:
1 MB (1,081,856 bytes)

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

http://dl.installiq.com/.../DownloadPOP.aspx?NetworkID=&ProductSessionId=34194743-fa93-494c-b58d-30e88b291afa&VersionId=-1&ProductId=1286&partnercode=&shortname=cottageawp&trafficsrctype=ICN

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