VLCMediaPlayerSetup.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.exe, “Powered by BetterInstaller” by Somoto has been detected as adware by 12 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. With this installer, users are expecting to download the VideoLAN VLC media player but before that occurs they may be presented with additional offers, mostly potentially unwanted software or adware.
Publisher:
Somoto Ltd.  (signed and verified)

Description:
Powered by BetterInstaller

Version:
2.0.0.0

MD5:
fed60bcc771e103a3834bc63559b8309

SHA-1:
36a9618816f852fcfc7841673294bfd28d85f127

SHA-256:
850179649479d2f435dcc4bcfc87f242c353274678d69f2fd76962b013b1cd74

Scanner detections:
12 / 68

Status:
Adware

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

Description:
This is also known as bundleware, or downloadware, which is an downloader designed to simply deliver ad-supported offers in the setup routine of an otherwise legitimate software.

Analysis date:
4/20/2024 2:34:35 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

avast!
Win32:Somoto-K [PUP]
2014.9-140408

AVG
AdInstaller.Somoto
2015.0.3511

Clam AntiVirus
Adware.Somoto-1
0.98/18155

Dr.Web
Adware.Somoto.17
9.0.1.098

ESET NOD32
Win32/Somoto (variant)
8.8793

F-Prot
W32/SomotoBetterInstaller.A
v6.4.7.1.166

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Somoto
v2014.04.08.01

Reason Heuristics
PUP.BetterInstaller.Somoto.T
14.8.7.17

Sophos
Somoto BetterInstaller
4.91

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Somoto
10679

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.RCBH1LD
7.2.98

VIPRE Antivirus
Trojan.Win32.Generic
21422

File size:
158.3 KB (162,048 bytes)

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Somoto BetterInstaller

Language:
Language Neutral

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\vlcmediaplayersetup.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 4:14:12 AM

OS version:
4.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
2.56

CTPH (ssdeep):
3072:r22ihA0m3BJP0v41bfjQ9415GYkuSUp6M6pMTJVhrPokDknOfWCSriVt:EA0m3D0v4RfjQ9yGxuSUpXFTJT7NDwC9

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:
7.5839

Code size:
28.5 KB (29,184 bytes)

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

Remove VLCMediaPlayerSetup.exe - Powered by Reason Core Security