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sharpened.exe

ClientConnect LTD

The file belongs to the ClientConnect (Conduit/Perion) platform, a utility that bundles and monetizes search toolbars and browser add-ons. The application sharpened.exe by ClientConnect 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 NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) installer. It is also typically executed from the user's temporary directory. While running, it connects to the Internet address cms.dmccint.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
ClientConnect LTD  (signed and verified)

Description:
custominstaller

Version:
1.0.0.2

MD5:
f90169fb7a5ea45b268fb7beec5f2516

SHA-1:
986b8fe7ea48aaac9455a34bfb3af82c35fb8b4b

SHA-256:
46a6c891c3c0d062e1fb6c4fd5f55696e4d8c71fbdce22597e485386f9ca0831

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
Bundles the Conduit Toolbar and/or Conduit Search Protect.

Analysis date:
5/8/2024 8:42:32 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Conduit.ClientCo.Installer (M)
16.5.23.1

File size:
25.8 MB (27,009,096 bytes)

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Installer:
NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System)

Language:
Language Neutral

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\appdata\local\temp\{random}.tmp\mainoffer\sharpened.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
ClientConnect LTD

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
2/4/2014 8:00:00 AM

Valid to:
2/6/2016 7:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=ClientConnect LTD, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, OU=Prod2, O=ClientConnect LTD, L=Ness Ziona, S=Israel, C=IL

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:
7D43A9D40B810B6AC20F2CDF15B5CCF6

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
2/25/2012 3:20:04 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
393216:yebYByve38iBeemu7ZNvrRqZoEOM+6ocNQTU27xr77ZfeSVoBZFYMg6Y+0uwQp2:koG38iBdlt1pMicNQw2pZmSm3Yfs0vf

Entry address:
0x38AF

Entry point:
81, EC, D4, 02, 00, 00, 53, 55, 56, 57, 6A, 20, 33, ED, 5E, 89, 6C, 24, 18, C7, 44, 24, 10, 68, A2, 40, 00, 89, 6C, 24, 14, FF, 15, 30, 90, 40, 00, 68, 01, 80, 00, 00, FF, 15, B4, 90, 40, 00, 55, FF, 15, C0, 92, 40, 00, 6A, 08, A3, 98, EB, 47, 00, E8, 36, 2A, 00, 00, 55, 68, B4, 02, 00, 00, A3, B0, EA, 47, 00, 8D, 44, 24, 38, 50, 55, 68, 64, A2, 40, 00, FF, 15, 84, 91, 40, 00, 68, 4C, A2, 40, 00, 68, A0, 6A, 47, 00, E8, 18, 27, 00, 00, FF, 15, B0, 90, 40, 00, 50, BF, A0, F0, 4C, 00, 57, E8, 06, 27, 00, 00...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9999

Packer / compiler:
Nullsoft install system v2.x

Code size:
29 KB (29,696 bytes)

The executing file has been seen to make the following network communication in live environments.

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to cms.dmccint.com  (23.67.242.80:80)

 
http://cms.dmccint.com/DynamicOffer/174089370/174110493/?mainofferId=174085936&CurrentStep=2&TotalSteps=4&DownloadBrowser=IE&CType=-1&UserMode=-1&DMVersion=1.3.7.74.174109359.01&Language=US-EN

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