GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
AshFileValidator.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as PUP.DriverUpdater. Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware to scan the device, confirm whether this file is present, and remove the detected object if it is found.
- Detection name
- PUP.DriverUpdater
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2024-11-02 23:02:42 (2 years ago)
- File hash
- 04457096e60012336a4ff9dec71f01a3
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.DriverUpdater, part of the PUP threat category.
Potentially unwanted programs, bundlers, installers, and utilities with intrusive behavior. Related PUP reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2021-04-04 20:12:17 (5 years ago); latest analysis 2024-11-02 23:02:42 (2 years ago).
Company metadata: Ashampoo. Product metadata: Ashampoo Driver Updater.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
- Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
- Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present. Review the PUP category for related samples and common context.
File context
AshFileValidator.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Ashampoo Driver Updater. The reported company name is Ashampoo. The current detection status is PUP.DriverUpdater, based on the latest analysis from 2024-11-02 23:02:42 (2 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.
If AshFileValidator.exe appears on your computer unexpectedly, treat it as suspicious. Check its location, digital signature, and recent system changes before allowing it to run. A full anti-malware scan is recommended when this file is detected as PUP.DriverUpdater.
File Details
| Product Name: | Ashampoo Driver Updater |
| Company Name: | Ashampoo |
| MD5: | 04457096e60012336a4ff9dec71f01a3 |
| Size: | 261 KB |
| First Published: | 2021-04-04 20:12:17 (5 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2024-11-02 23:02:42 (2 years ago) |
| Status: | PUP.DriverUpdater (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2024-11-02 23:02:42 (2 years ago) |
Detection screenshot
The screenshot is a visual record of a GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection for this sample. Use the hash and metadata above as the primary identifiers when comparing the file on your system.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\ashampoo\ashampoo driver updater |
ThreatInfo has observed AshFileValidator.exe in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen AshFileValidator.exe across 7 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Russian Federation with 25.0% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
The most common operating system signal for AshFileValidator.exe is Windows 10 with 76.9% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
AshFileValidator.exe is identified as pe for 32-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows CUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
33101c16a9c81b44c2318c94ced806fa
7b6c1a93edc8cf078d05d7f753003b51
b649680f4e224fdf5242b95abb66e665
249f665ec09765853a5385ffbccd1d71
e5782af63844c63ed47c0f41933198d9
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
Report conclusion
GridinSoft detects this file as PUP.DriverUpdater
This report identifies AshFileValidator.exe by MD5 04457096e60012336a4ff9dec71f01a3. It is part of the PUP report group. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.