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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 14 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:
21f38cd71482db39e3331238582f0bcc

SHA-1:
e5cc603f3f94cc22ddffcc44e3b1954834837025

SHA-256:
3d715e1139c99acd1dc52ec2ab04f3ed9b580731ed52fe1327b42286c7470d47

Scanner detections:
14 / 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:
4/20/2024 7:07:07 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Avira AntiVirus
APPL/Somoto.Gen2
7.11.106.230

avast!
Win32:Somoto-K [PUP]
2014.9-150721

AVG
AdInstaller.Somoto
2016.0.3042

Clam AntiVirus
Adware.Somoto-1
0.98/18155

Dr.Web
Adware.Somoto.17
9.0.1.0202

ESET NOD32
Win32/Somoto (variant)
9.8899

F-Prot
W32/SomotoBetterInstaller.A
v6.4.7.1.166

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Somoto
v2015.07.21.05

MicroWorld eScan
Win32/Somoto.A
16.0.0.606

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Somoto.Bundler (M)
15.7.21.5

Sophos
Somoto BetterInstaller
4.93

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Somoto
9741

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
BetterInstaller
22248

File size:
158.2 KB (162,032 bytes)

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Somoto BetterInstaller

Language:
Language Neutral

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Somoto Ltd.

Authority:
COMODO CA Limited

Valid from:
9/20/2011 7:00:00 AM

Valid to:
9/20/2014 6:59:59 AM

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 PM

OS version:
4.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
2.56

CTPH (ssdeep):
3072:b22ihA0m3BJP0v/UHu8MVBsplOPXSz5+PG9sVggOM7/4y2:0A0m3D0v/UryygPX9WsOMcz

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:
7.5812

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/0/d/ch/.../VLCMediaPlayerSetup.exe

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