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vlc_setup.exe

VLC Media Player

Air Software

Warning, this is not the legitimate setup program for VLC Media Player. The setup is bootstrapped by the Air Installer 'download manager' (a pay-per-install monetization download manager) that bundles unwanted software (adware, toolbars, extensions) during setup while deciving the user into thinking they are downloading the stadard installation setup from VLC Media Player. The application vlc_setup.exe, “VLC Media Player ” by Air Software 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 AirInstaller Download Manager installer. The installer is marketed through download protals and search ads as the VideoLAN VLC media player but will also install additional software offers which include adware, PUPs and browser toolbars.
Publisher:
AirInstaller   (signed by Air Software)

Product:
VLC Media Player

Description:
VLC Media Player

Version:
2.0.4.92

MD5:
2ba6e09320d88df5cbabde623298cfa6

SHA-1:
53a57ea102407abd82ad97ef2e99a54da7adba71

SHA-256:
82403350576ecee38fdd12b6392c345cd715a62aa284a05c3bbb3de8de8fc071

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Adware

Note:
Our current pool of anti-malware engines have not currently detected this file, however based on our own detection heuristics we feel that this file is unwanted.

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:
5/18/2024 2:37:43 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Air Software.AirSoftw.Bundler (M)
16.4.7.20

File size:
841.4 KB (861,608 bytes)

Product version:
2.0.4.92

Copyright:
(c) AirInstaller

Original file name:
setup.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
AirInstaller Download Manager

Language:
English (United States)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Air Software

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
1/24/2013 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
3/26/2015 7:59:59 PM

Subject:
CN=Air Software, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O=Air Software, L=Victoria, S=British Columbia, C=CA

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:
3AC786E09219DF82DA830E461D4FC39F

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
2/5/2014 3:45:43 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
24576:N2FuOV+HiYt192MT4OJQoL6fODAu+Wq3AFP1AWOZbGj:vMUUBODARWrP1fOxa

Entry address:
0x2670F0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 40, 5A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, D0, E5, FF, 57, 83, CD, FF, EB, 10, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 8A, 06, 46, 88, 07, 47, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 72, ED, B8, 01, 00, 00, 00, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 11, C0, 01, DB, 73, 0B, 75, 28, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 72, 1F, 48, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 11, C0, EB, D4, 01, DB, 75, 07, 8B, 1E, 83, EE, FC, 11, DB, 11, C9, EB, 52, 31, C9, 83, E8, 03, 72, 11, C1, E0, 08, 8A, 06, 46, 83, F0, FF, 74, 75, D1, F8, 89...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.8861

Packer / compiler:
UPX 2.90LZMA

Code size:
784 KB (802,816 bytes)

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

http://downloads.consumers-research.com/get/click/.../?sid={affiliate_id}&uid={transaction_id}&filename=vlc_setup

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