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 8 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:
06bec5ed6557c252dca0daf1d02f31e1

SHA-1:
efd21c4facc053e9ebe70c50d0d6baa3d0bfd223

SHA-256:
201c2d796ac7605ed6957a4951ac0103620985f5e8735963531a165c0ce51f09

Scanner detections:
8 / 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:
4/25/2024 7:09:58 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Clam AntiVirus
Win.Adware.BetterInstaller
0.98/18155

Dr.Web
Adware.Somoto.8
9.0.1.098

ESET NOD32
Win32/Somoto (variant)
8.7901

McAfee
Artemis!06BEC5ED6557
5600.7167

Reason Heuristics
PUP.BetterInstaller.Somoto.T
14.8.7.17

Sophos
Somoto BetterInstaller
4.85

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Somoto
10679

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1112
7.2.98

File size:
158.3 KB (162,088 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:T22ihA0m3BJP0vTQ6relNXGcA+TFtel7Abofzpq6ABznUSZbLfW20B:sA0m3D0v1qlNtA+RMZCofzJABjV0B

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.

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