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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 9 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:
2.0.0.0

MD5:
b967147d2a631cf11d9e200fd38a9ec8

SHA-1:
dc9f06b70e245736b5206c0fb232f15bb1a6ef5a

SHA-256:
d10080a29f1f663bc8c9c57f1721f5ef80e1cd3165c133a79f2adaea7b73d01c

Scanner detections:
9 / 68

Status:
Adware

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

Description:
This is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
4/26/2024 10:42:20 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Clam AntiVirus
Adware.Somoto-1
0.98/18155

Dr.Web
Adware.Somoto.8
9.0.1.098

Emsisoft Anti-Malware
Riskware.WebToolbar.Win32.BetterInstaller.AMN
8.14.04.08.01

ESET NOD32
Win32/Somoto (variant)
8.8256

Fortinet FortiGate
Adware/BetterInstaller
4/8/2014

Reason Heuristics
PUP.BetterInstaller.Somoto.T
14.8.7.17

Sophos
Somoto BetterInstaller
4.88

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Somoto
10679

VIPRE Antivirus
BetterInstaller
17108

File size:
158.3 KB (162,064 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:
Somoto Ltd.

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):
3072:722ihA0m3BJP0v50CSCaX7RaCjzT3pVi+Ofak:UA0m3D0v5ctXNaWfi+aT

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:
7.5841

Code size:
28.5 KB (29,184 bytes)

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

http://cdn.frogdownload.com/installers/a/b/ch/.../VLCMediaPlayerSetup.exe

Remove VLCMediaPlayerSetup.exe - Powered by Reason Core Security
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