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FreePDFReaderSetup.exe

Elephant Tech Software LLC

This is the Performersoft setup installer. The application FreePDFReaderSetup.exe by Elephant Tech Software has been detected as adware by 34 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the InstallBrain installer. The setup program bundles additional offers, mostly adware, using the InstallBrain installer, a pay-per-install monetization download manager. InstallBrain will also install a background updater service that will update any installed browser add-ons and plug-ins. The file has been seen being downloaded from www.appheni.com.
Publisher:
FreePDFReader  (signed by Elephant Tech Software LLC)

Product:
FreePDFReader

Version:
14.8.7.18

MD5:
e60863aae322566f8802c51fa617138a

SHA-1:
47f3491a79e69b4ec5e80496921a6bf8171a8553

SHA-256:
c63919d373c51faa66e1ea87e9255bb0e4fdf097cd34bbec6164852e85d6cb8a

Scanner detections:
34 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
Uses the InstallBrain monetization platform from iBario to deliver bundled adware both search toolbars and PC optimizers from Performersoft.

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:
8/1/2025 4:46:29 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Gen:Variant.Jaik.2831
411

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.InstallBrain
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
PUP/Win32.InstallBrain
2014.09.14

Avira AntiVirus
Adware/InstallBr.ZR
7.11.168.140

avast!
InstallBrain-BZ [PUP]
2014.9-151221

AVG
Adware InstallBrain
2016.0.2889

Bitdefender
Gen:Variant.Jaik.2831
1.0.20.1775

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Clam AntiVirus
Win.Adware.Installbrain-1522
0.98/19500

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Installbrain.CK
19269

Dr.Web
Trojan.InstallBrain.2
9.0.1.0355

Emsisoft Anti-Malware
Adware.InstallBrain
8.15.12.21.07

ESET NOD32
Win32/InstallBrain.CG potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/InstallBrain
12/21/2015

F-Prot
W32/A-3442f84d
v6.4.7.1.166

F-Secure
Gen:Variant.Jaik.2831
11.2015-21-12_2

G Data
Gen:Variant.Jaik.2831
15.12.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.InstallBrain
t3scan.1.7.5.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13358

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.BrainInst
14.0.0.938

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.InstallBrain.A
v2015.12.21.07

McAfee
Program.PUP-FMR
5600.6545

MicroWorld eScan
Gen:Variant.Jaik.2831
16.0.0.1065

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.InstallBrain.derzsq
0.28.2.61942

nProtect
Adware.InstallBrain.E
14.09.14.01

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Genetic.gen
15.12.21.07

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Adware.a30
1.0.0.1015

Quick Heal
PUA.Elephantte.Gen
12.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Performersoft.ElephantTechSoftware.Bundler (M)
15.12.21.7

Sophos
PUA 'InstallBrain'
5.14

Total Defense
Win32/InstallBrain.EUYeKYC
37.1.62.1

Vba32 AntiVirus
AdWare.BrainInst
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4759033
33706

Zillya! Antivirus
Trojan.Black.Win32.17411
2.0.0.1897

File size:
1.1 MB (1,165,432 bytes)

Product version:
14.8.7.18

Copyright:
Copyright 2014

Original file name:
FreePDFReaderSetup.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
InstallBrain

Language:
English (United States)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Elephant Tech Software LLC

Authority:
GoDaddy.com, Inc.

Valid from:
12/18/2013 4:14:46 PM

Valid to:
12/18/2016 4:14:46 PM

Subject:
CN=Elephant Tech Software LLC, O=Elephant Tech Software LLC, L=Beaverton, S=Oregon, C=US

Issuer:
SERIALNUMBER=07969287, CN=Go Daddy Secure Certification Authority, OU=http://certificates.godaddy.com/repository, O="GoDaddy.com, Inc.", L=Scottsdale, S=Arizona, C=US

Serial number:
2B2D0084486599

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
8/4/2014 11:01:28 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:s4QkLmXi6kgaINVqcERRauju0Zqr3p/ojycwyHKUDoDsfw0OAou8:8GmXiTcNYauju0MMfHKUDoQfOAb8

Entry address:
0x88A6

Entry point:
E8, 58, 4D, 00, 00, E9, 89, FE, FF, FF, C7, 01, 58, B5, 41, 00, E9, 41, FA, FF, FF, 8B, FF, 55, 8B, EC, 56, 8B, F1, C7, 06, 58, B5, 41, 00, E8, 2E, FA, FF, FF, F6, 45, 08, 01, 74, 07, 56, E8, 94, EC, FF, FF, 59, 8B, C6, 5E, 5D, C2, 04, 00, 8B, FF, 55, 8B, EC, 56, 57, 8B, 7D, 08, 8B, 47, 04, 85, C0, 74, 47, 8D, 50, 08, 80, 3A, 00, 74, 3F, 8B, 75, 0C, 8B, 4E, 04, 3B, C1, 74, 14, 83, C1, 08, 51, 52, E8, 51, 19, 00, 00, 59, 59, 85, C0, 74, 04, 33, C0, EB, 24, F6, 06, 02, 74, 05, F6, 07, 08, 74, F2, 8B, 45, 10...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.6966

Code size:
102.5 KB (104,960 bytes)

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

http://www.appheni.com/.../$utsUdJA3YEI5kCUS?lang=en&cid=4451&cert=ets

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