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instacodecs.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 instacodecs.exe by InstallX has been detected as adware by 17 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the InstallIQ Installation Manager installer. It is also typically executed from an Internet Explorer cache folder. The file has been seen being downloaded from dl2.iq11download.com.
Publisher:
InstallX, LLC  (signed and verified)

Product:
InstallIQ Installation Utility

Version:
2.137.0.0

MD5:
f05ac82c4349c00deebbdc923fb1fd30

SHA-1:
9bb0097a205aa19d0ceb0ebc6680b60d1ef9e510

SHA-256:
48d39b9e4fe4c0a683f65a6e11e943e47bfd2bf281ce2f2a46a99ef40d8da062

Scanner detections:
17 / 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:
4/25/2024 11:47:56 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

AhnLab V3 Security
PUP/Win32.Installiq
14.09.03

Avira AntiVirus
APPL/InstallIQ.Gen5
7.11.138.122

AVG
InstallIQ.F
2015.0.3362

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.InstallIQ.B
17979

Dr.Web
Adware.W3i.32
9.0.1.0246

ESET NOD32
Win32/InstallIQ (variant)
8.9578

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/InstallIQ
9/3/2014

IKARUS anti.virus
AdWare.InstallIQ
t3scan.2.2.29

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.176.11524

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.InstallIQ
v2014.09.03.09

McAfee
Artemis!F05AC82C4349
5600.7018

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Downware.cujxue
0.28.0.58491

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Installer.InstallX.L
14.9.30.13

Rising Antivirus
PE:PUF.InstallIQ!1.9E4F
23.00.65.14901

Sophos
InstallQ
4.98

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0117
7.2.246

VIPRE Antivirus
InstallIQ Installer
27668

File size:
1.9 MB (2,038,864 bytes)

Product version:
2.137.0.0

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}\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\{random}\instacodecs.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
InstallX, LLC

Authority:
DigiCert Inc

Valid from:
3/21/2013 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2014 8:00:00 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:
1/15/2014 6:02:13 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
11.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
49152:MAxzJ+YzkQ9EJER1wADchsnUJgYTckjUgd:BKtJW1wkctJmw

Entry address:
0xF739

Entry point:
E8, B5, 88, 00, 00, E9, 00, 00, 00, 00, 6A, 14, 68, 58, 44, 58, 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:
6.7721

Code size:
1.2 MB (1,291,776 bytes)

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

http://dl2.iq11download.com/lm/.../instacodecs.exe

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