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spstub.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 spstub.exe by ClientConnect has been detected as adware by 10 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) installer. It is also typically executed from an Internet Explorer cache folder. The file has been seen being downloaded from sp-storage.spccinta.com and multiple other hosts. While running, it connects to the Internet address offering.service.distributionengine.va.conduit-services.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
Client Connect  (signed by ClientConnect LTD)

Description:
Search Protect

Version:
2.4.3.4

MD5:
4b07b45cbb7dde9b1a40b6ed5bb8d7df

SHA-1:
907360a7c2937f24d5d3456260c1345b1316b0b4

SHA-256:
22fe6e2d3ad2a52492ac75bb469d1c19ac3ca7598dc54db111f371a067717f64

Scanner detections:
10 / 68

Status:
Adware

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

Analysis date:
4/26/2024 3:27:32 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

AVG
Generic
2015.0.3314

Dr.Web
Adware.Conduit.101
9.0.1.0294

ESET NOD32
Win32/ClientConnect (variant)
8.10597

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3067

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Conduit.A
v2014.10.21.02

McAfee
Artemis!4B07B45CBB7D
5600.6970

Reason Heuristics
PUP.ClientConnect.G
14.10.21.14

Sophos
Generic PUA HI
4.98

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.R02SH07JL14
7.2.294

VIPRE Antivirus
Conduit
34118

File size:
172.6 KB (176,792 bytes)

Copyright:
© 2014 Client Connect Ltd.

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Installer:
NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System)

Language:
Language Neutral

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\{random}\spstub.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
ClientConnect LTD

Authority:
Symantec Corporation

Valid from:
4/29/2014 1:00:00 AM

Valid to:
4/30/2016 12:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=ClientConnect LTD, OU=SPStub, O=ClientConnect LTD, L=Ness Ziona, S=Israel, C=IL

Issuer:
CN=Symantec Class 3 SHA256 Code Signing CA, OU=Symantec Trust Network, O=Symantec Corporation, C=US

Serial number:
36AC210D3412C8646EB3F4C8EE541402

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
7/6/2011 3:31:20 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
3072:qcmVWD5ltbmP3Q7yAlRasPj0czeTtzJC26Z+KiFF6GRfFOokDmbyiXcSGeL1z:hmJI7qcst17I+tuG9FDbyisteLh

Entry address:
0x354B

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, D8, 84, 40, 00, 89, 6C, 24, 14, FF, 15, 30, 80, 40, 00, 68, 01, 80, 00, 00, FF, 15, B8, 80, 40, 00, 55, FF, 15, B0, 82, 40, 00, 6A, 08, A3, 98, 06, 47, 00, E8, 67, 27, 00, 00, 55, 68, B4, 02, 00, 00, A3, B0, 05, 47, 00, 8D, 44, 24, 38, 50, 55, 68, 1C, 86, 40, 00, FF, 15, 80, 81, 40, 00, 68, 04, 86, 40, 00, 68, A0, 85, 46, 00, E8, 35, 26, 00, 00, FF, 15, B4, 80, 40, 00, 50, BF, A0, 10, 4C, 00, 57, E8, 23, 26, 00, 00...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.8401

Packer / compiler:
Nullsoft install system v2.x

Code size:
25 KB (25,600 bytes)

The file spstub.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 2 URLs.

https://sp-storage.spccinta.com//.../spstub.exe

http://sp-storage.spccinta.com/.../spstub.exe

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

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to ude.conduit-data.com  (54.197.244.95:80)

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to offering.service.distributionengine.va.conduit-services.com  (199.101.114.147:80)

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to cms.distributionengine.conduit-services.com  (23.67.242.59:80)

 
http://cms.distributionengine.conduit-services.com//MainOffer/12267524/?CurrentStep=1&TotalSteps=5&DMVersion=1.2.8.4_Perion.12266401.04&Language=None

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