vlcmediaplayersetup-bgqms8i.exe

Somoto Ltd.

Somoto uses a monetization platform known as the 'Better Installer' to provide the ability of 3rd party developers to bundle various adware packages through an affiliate pay-per-install program. The application vlcmediaplayersetup-bgqms8i.exe, “Powered by BetterInstaller” by Somoto has been detected as adware by 13 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Somoto BetterInstaller installer. Includes the Somoto BetterInstaller, an adware installer that will bundle offers for additional third party applications, mostly adware toolbars, with legitimate softare and may be installed without adequate user consent. 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:
Somoto Ltd.  (signed and verified)

Description:
Powered by BetterInstaller

Version:
2.1.0.0

MD5:
8144796eaa09461a9ca275e2e4e9a836

SHA-1:
4ccc1ac0981d2a368c52d15706ab007382498754

SHA-256:
defe807bf12d0d4484287547ce04270d66b3f305c0787a3024f34512cd0a3ade

Scanner detections:
13 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
Uses the Somoto 'BetterInstaller' to bundle additional (unwanted) software during install without adequate consent.

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 3:51:12 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

avast!
Win32:Somoto-F [PUP]
2014.9-140717

AVG
AdInstaller.Somoto
2015.0.3410

Clam AntiVirus
Adware.Somoto-1
0.98/18155

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Somoto.d
17028

Dr.Web
Adware.Somoto.17
9.0.1.0198

ESET NOD32
Win32/Somoto
8.8861

F-Prot
W32/SomotoBetterInstaller.A
v6.4.7.1.166

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Somoto
v2014.07.17.03

Reason Heuristics
PUP.BetterInstaller.Somoto.BB
14.8.7.17

Sophos
Somoto BetterInstaller
4.93

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Somoto/Variant
10478

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
BetterInstaller
21978

File size:
163.6 KB (167,552 bytes)

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Somoto BetterInstaller

Language:
Language Neutral

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\vlcmediaplayersetup-bgqms8i.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:

Authority:
COMODO CA Limited

Valid from:
9/19/2011 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
9/19/2014 7:59:59 PM

Subject:
CN=Somoto Ltd., O=Somoto Ltd., STREET=PO Box 58096, L=Tel Aviv, S=--, PostalCode=61580, C=IL

Issuer:
CN=COMODO Code Signing CA 2, O=COMODO CA Limited, L=Salford, S=Greater Manchester, C=GB

Serial number:
00841D099D16B738F34172FEEFE1D2574F

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
12/17/2010 5:14:12 AM

OS version:
4.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
2.56

CTPH (ssdeep):
3072:O22ihA0m3BJf0APCESJUq1PeDr4nNClfTR7sBPgyE9spfmkRBl7/wCbH:BA0m3T0APC8q1o4ngtRhr9spekRBlJbH

Entry address:
0x39AC

Entry point:
55, 89, E5, 57, 56, 53, 81, EC, 7C, 01, 00, 00, E8, 97, 46, 00, 00, 83, EC, 0C, 68, 01, 80, 00, 00, E8, 42, 43, 00, 00, 6A, 00, E8, AB, 46, 00, 00, 6A, 08, A3, 88, 4C, 42, 00, E8, B1, 28, 00, 00, 6A, 00, 68, 60, 01, 00, 00, A3, 38, 4D, 42, 00, 8D, 85, 90, FE, FF, FF, 50, 6A, 00, 68, A4, A2, 40, 00, E8, F0, 45, 00, 00, 83, EC, 0C, 68, A5, A2, 40, 00, 68, 68, 4D, 42, 00, E8, EF, 2A, 00, 00, 83, C4, 18, E8, FE, 42, 00, 00, 52, 52, 50, 68, 00, D0, 42, 00, E8, DA, 2A, 00, 00, 57, 6A, 00, E8, 39, 42, 00, 00, 83...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.5999

Code size:
28.5 KB (29,184 bytes)

The file vlcmediaplayersetup-bgqms8i.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 2 URLs.

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