PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore Virus

Written by Robert Bailey

PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore detection is a sign that your PC is encountering an issue. All viruses are inherently dangerous, without any exceptions. The InstallCore unwanted program may not be classified as full-fledged malware.

PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore corresponds to a program installer that aims at installing unwanted programs. It may be included in the installation package you’ve recently downloaded from a third-party website. Such a form of monetisation is widely used by users who crack programs. They receive a coin for each PUA installed, and you receive a PC filled with junk applications. Not the best trade-off, to say the least.

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What is PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore?

Alert of the PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore you can see in the lower right corner is demonstrated to you by Microsoft Defender. That Antivirus is quite OK at scanning but prone to be generally unstable. It is vulnerable to malware invasions. It has a glitchy user interface and problematic malware-clearing capabilities. Thus, the pop-up about the InstallCore is just a notification that Defender has identified it. You will likely need to use another anti-malware program to remove it.

PUADIManager:Win32/InstallCore detection

PUADIManager:Win32/InstallCore detected by Microsoft Defender

PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore unwanted program is a typical example of PUA, which is pretty much widespread nowadays. Being free to use, it may provide you with “the extended features” for the extra payment. Some instances of this program type can have no real functionality whatsoever – just the shell with the bright interface. You can see it advertised as a system optimization software, driver updater, or torrent downloading tracker. This or another way, it does not provide you any true capability, exposing you to risk instead.

Unwanted Program Summary:

Name InstallCore PUADlManager
Detection PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore
Damage InstallCore is at least useless or can perform various malicious actions on your PC.
Similar behaviour Pearfoos, Wave Browser, GameTool

Threat Description

Behaviour
  • Executable code extraction;
  • Presents an Authenticode digital signature;
  • Creates RWX memory;
  • Reads data out of its own binary image;
  • Drops a binary and executes it;
  • Creates or sets a registry key to a long series of bytes, possibly to store a binary or malware config;
  • Network activity detected but not expressed in API logs;
File info
crc32: C497A56E
md5: ff5a5271822d298e7dd2a30b0a9b92a9
name: FF5A5271822D298E7DD2A30B0A9B92A9.mlw
sha1: dc71a6228b05176520c429789059d956f39377e8
sha256: 874a37014185f5249e4298fb793d06844c88b4fa9d4aa61260fcee8c384e7403
sha512: 5b49bedb712ad57e21ba4ec3cf7260f81758e987e2181181808e0c62ba1b6ac03ff4818fd88f50b9ddcef7432d5082c6f7df0ddd277557056819ca007e0d43e9
ssdeep: 49152:Y7eCCw/Q4aPV+WhzTQkrUAi86VuiFWGtkbcaQsnMoqKm7SyictMfm9aF:VmQ4qrnYVqGtkbrOoqKNy5B0
type: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS Windows

Version Info:

LegalCopyright: Gub FileVersion: 2.7.5.8 CompanyName: Fok Comments: This installation was built with Inno Setup. ProductName: Mita ProductVersion: 5.5.5 FileDescription: Mita Setup Translation: 0x0000 0x04b0
Detections
Bkav W32.AIDetect.malware1
K7AntiVirus Adware ( 00561a041 )
Lionic Adware.Win32.DealPly.2!c
Elastic malicious (high confidence)
Cynet Malicious (score: 99)
ALYac Application.Cerdossa.Gen.1
Cylance Unsafe
Sangfor PUP.Win32.InstallCore.mt
CrowdStrike win/malicious_confidence_100% (D)
Alibaba AdWare:Win32/InstallCore.8c17fcf4
K7GW Adware ( 00561a041 )
Cybereason malicious.1822d2
Cyren W32/Kryptik.BGE.gen!Eldorado
Symantec Ransom.Hermes!gen2
ESET-NOD32 Win32/InstallCore.Gen.D potentially unwanted
APEX Malicious
Avast FileRepMalware [PUP]
Kaspersky not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.DealPly.ezgtb
BitDefender Application.Cerdossa.Gen.1
MicroWorld-eScan Application.Cerdossa.Gen.1
Sophos InnoMod (PUA)
McAfee-GW-Edition Artemis!Trojan
FireEye Generic.mg.ff5a5271822d298e
Emsisoft Application.Generic (A)
SentinelOne Static AI – Malicious PE
Webroot W32.Adware.Gen
Avira HEUR/AGEN.1109571
Antiy-AVL Trojan/Generic.ASMalwS.30879C7
Microsoft PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore
GData Application.Cerdossa.Gen.1 (14x)
AhnLab-V3 Adware/Win32.InstallCore.C4110203
McAfee Artemis!FF5A5271822D
MAX malware (ai score=75)
Malwarebytes Adware.InstallCore
Rising Packer.Win32.Obfuscator.n (CLASSIC)
Ikarus PUA.InstallCore
MaxSecure Trojan.Malware.12132270.susgen
Fortinet W32/InstallCore.AZE!tr
AVG FileRepMalware [PUP]
Paloalto generic.ml

Is PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore dangerous?

I have already mentioned that PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore PUA is not as trustworthy as it plays to be. The “legit and helpful” app can unexpectedly unveil itself as a downloader trojan, spyware, backdoor, or coin miner malware. And you can never estimate what to look for even from separate instances of InstallCore unwanted program. That still does not say that you need to panic – probably, this nasty thing has not succeeded in doing bad things to your computer.

The exact damage to your system may be created not only because of the malware injection. A significant share of suspicious programs, like the InstallCore application is, is just improperly programmed. Potentially, their actions are rather useful than pointless if done on specific system configurations, but not on each one. That’s how an uncomplicated system optimization app can trigger chaos with constant BSODs on your system. Any interruptions to the system registry are unsafe and even more unsafe if performed with such programs.

How did I get this virus?

It is difficult to line the sources of malware on your PC. Nowadays, things are mixed, and distribution ways used by adware five years ago can be used by spyware nowadays. However, if we abstract from the exact distribution way and will think about why it has success, the explanation will be very simple – low level of cybersecurity knowledge. Individuals click on advertisements on odd sites, open the pop-ups they receive in their web browsers, and call “Microsoft tech support,” believing that the strange banner that says about malware is true. It is important to know what is legit – to prevent misconceptions when attempting to determine a virus.

Microsoft tech support scam

The example of Microsoft Tech support scam banner

Nowadays, there are two of the most extensive tactics of malware spreading – bait e-mails and injection into a hacked program. While the first one is not so easy to avoid – you should know a lot to recognize a fake – the 2nd one is very easy to handle: just do not utilize cracked apps. Torrent trackers and various other sources of “free” applications (which are, exactly, paid, but with a disabled license checking) are really a giveaway place of malware. And PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore is just within them.

How to remove the PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore from my PC?

PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore malware is extremely difficult to erase by hand. It places its data in several locations throughout the disk, and can get back itself from one of the elements. Furthermore, a lot of alterations in the registry, networking settings, and also Group Policies are really hard to discover and revert to the original. It is better to utilize a special tool – exactly, an anti-malware tool. GridinSoft Anti-Malware will definitely fit the most ideal for virus elimination objectives.

Why GridinSoft Anti-Malware? It is really lightweight and has its detection databases updated practically every hour. In addition, it does not have such problems and exploits as Microsoft Defender does. The combination of these details makes GridinSoft Anti-Malware suitable for getting rid of malware of any form.

Remove the viruses with GridinSoft Anti-Malware

  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware. After the installation, you will be offered to perform the Standard Scan. Approve this action.
  • PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore in the scan process

  • Standard scan checks the logical disk where the system files are stored and the files of programs you have already installed. The scan lasts up to 6 minutes.
  • PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore in the scan results

  • When the scan is over, you may choose the action for each detected virus. For all files of InstallCore the default option is “Delete”. Press “Apply” to finish the malware removal.
  • PUADlManager:Win32/InstallCore - After Cleaning
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About the author

Robert Bailey

I'm Robert Bailey, a passionate Security Engineer with a deep fascination for all things related to malware, reverse engineering, and white hat ethical hacking.

As a white hat hacker, I firmly believe in the power of ethical hacking to bolster security measures. By identifying vulnerabilities and providing solutions, I contribute to the proactive defense of digital infrastructures.

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