home

vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.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 vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe, “Powered by BetterInstaller” by Somoto has been detected as adware by 23 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:
9c129a294d7cc0fe9ed53d890dbde85f

SHA-1:
074fbdc01d90a0ad59a705029c7317b446efd6ea

SHA-256:
ae41b4e5f1133a30b8d23ed4e8586dbc5e8312ebe50ae1fa653057a4206088f6

Scanner detections:
23 / 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 1:13:00 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Somoto
7.1.1

Avira AntiVirus
APPL/Somoto.inh
7.11.133.24

avast!
Win32:PUP-gen [PUP]
2014.9-140221

AVG
AdInstaller.Somoto
2015.0.3556

Bkav FE
W32.Clodcc9.Trojan
1.3.0.4924

Clam AntiVirus
Adware.Somoto-1
0.98/18355

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Somoto.A
17825

Dr.Web
Adware.Somoto.17
9.0.1.052

ESET NOD32
Win32/Somoto
8.9455

F-Prot
W32/SomotoBetterInstaller.A
v6.4.7.1.166

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.176.11239

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.NSIS.Agent
14.0.0.4276

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Somoto
v2014.02.21.07

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.cruvdt
0.28.0.57630

Panda Antivirus
PUP/MultiToolbar.A
14.02.21.07

Reason Heuristics
PUP.BetterInstaller.Somoto.b
14.8.7.17

Rising Antivirus
PE:Trojan.Win32.Generic.15235416!354636822
23.00.65.14219

Sophos
Somoto BetterInstaller
4.97

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Somoto/Variant
10769

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_SPNR.0CLC13
7.2.52

Trend Micro
TROJ_SPNR.0CLC13
10.465.21

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
BetterInstaller
26706

File size:
162.6 KB (166,480 bytes)

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Somoto BetterInstaller

Language:
Language Neutral

Common path:
C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\My documents\downloads\vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Somoto Ltd.

Authority:
COMODO CA Limited

Valid from:
9/19/2011 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
9/19/2014 6:59:59 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 3:14:12 AM

OS version:
4.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
2.56

CTPH (ssdeep):
3072:S22ihA0m3BJf0v+rGO2G0y49i0jb5lwVb9Qt8Cu2ToCSoEu4rP:NA0m3T0v3OqyOPGb9QLu2UTL

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:
7.5996

Code size:
28.5 KB (29,184 bytes)

The file vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 4 URLs.

http://adx.panet.co.il/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=671__zoneid=17__cb=fc6b8956b1__oadest=http://downloadcdn.betterinstaller.com/installers/8/.../vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe

http://downloadcdn.betterinstaller.com/installers/8/.../vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe

http://adx.panet.co.il/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=671__zoneid=17__cb=8b130dd315__oadest=http://downloadcdn.betterinstaller.com/installers/8/.../vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe

http://adx.panet.co.il/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=671__zoneid=17__cb=bff2ca56c0__oadest=http://downloadcdn.betterinstaller.com/installers/8/.../vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe

Remove vlcplayer_downloader_by_vlcplayer.exe - Powered by Reason Core Security
herdProtect is a second line of defense malware removal platform powered by 68 anti-malware engines in the cloud. Since no single anti-malware program is perfect 100% of the time, herdProtect utilizes a 'herd' of multiple engines to guarantee the widest coverage and the earliest possible detection.