GridinSoft Threat Intelligence

BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 threat report

Detected as Adware.ELEX File reputation report
MD5 5bce955cf12af3417f055dadc0212920
Latest seen 2023-07-26 23:52:21 (2 years ago)
First seen 2017-05-21 14:10:12 (9 years ago)
Size 673 KB
Publisher Tencent
Product QQ浏览器

GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection

Detected by GridinSoft before you download

The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Adware.ELEX. 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
Adware.ELEX
Recommended action
Scan and remove
Last analysis
2023-07-26 23:52:21 (2 years ago)
File hash
5bce955cf12af3417f055dadc0212920
Download Anti-Malware

Why it matters

Why GridinSoft flags this file

Detection

GridinSoft identifies the sample as Adware.ELEX, part of the Adware threat category.

Category context

Programs that inject advertising, change browser behavior, or monetize traffic through bundled components. Related Adware reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.

Timeline

First seen 2017-05-21 14:10:12 (9 years ago); latest analysis 2023-07-26 23:52:21 (2 years ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: Tencent. Product metadata: QQ浏览器.

Digital signature

Signed by Tencent Technology(Shenzhen) Company Limited. The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.

Aliases

This hash has appeared under multiple file names, which can happen with repackaging, bundling, or deliberate renaming.

Observed locations

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

  1. Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
  2. Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
  3. Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present. Review the Adware category for related samples and common context.

BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with QQ浏览器. The reported company name is Tencent. The current detection status is Adware.ELEX, based on the latest analysis from 2023-07-26 23:52:21 (2 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Adware reports for broader family-level investigation.

If BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 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 Adware.ELEX.

Product Name: QQ浏览器
Company Name: Tencent
MD5: 5bce955cf12af3417f055dadc0212920
Size: 673 KB
First Published: 2017-05-21 14:10:12 (9 years ago)
Latest Published: 2023-07-26 23:52:21 (2 years ago)
Status: Adware.ELEX (on last analysis)
Analysis Date: 2023-07-26 23:52:21 (2 years ago)
BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 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.

The signature on BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 is reported as valid. A valid signature helps confirm publisher identity, but it does not automatically make the file safe if the installer was bundled, abused, or downloaded from an untrusted source.

%programfiles%\qqbrowser\update\1d598ef588bc9f64133111e5edb179bb\update
%programfiles%\qqbrowser\update\6a71046604d052b03bd93e867e31c245\update
%allusersprofile%\\application data\chelfnotify
%system%\_sspm
%programfiles%\qqbrowser\update\e0113f892027297d2ce3d81893c66922\update
%commonappdata%\chelfnotify
%programfiles%\nerduthercoizesy
%programfiles%\txqqbrowser\update\12e6f441d93c2532632122c8c622bb77\update
%programfiles%\batyminodom
%programfiles%\sterkospsoviry

ThreatInfo has observed BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 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.

BrowserUpdate.exe BrowserUpdate.exe.vir OLD_FILE1 A0023785.exe A0011257.exe BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296

This hash has been seen with multiple file names. Alternate names can appear when software is updated, copied between folders, packed by an installer, or deliberately renamed to avoid recognition. Compare the exact MD5 above before assuming two names refer to the same file.

Windows 7 49.0%
Windows 10 36.0%
Windows 8.1 9.3%
Windows 8 2.8%
Windows XP 2.6%
Windows Server 2012 R2 0.3%

The most common operating system signal for BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 is Windows 7 with 49.0% 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.

BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 is identified as pe for 32-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows GUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.

Format pe
Architecture 32-bit
Subsystem Windows GUI
Entry point 0x00045844
Image base 0x00400000

PE Sections:

Sections 6
Raw data 682496

Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.

.text 393216 bytes · 57.6% of section data
MD5 090426a990649eb7d626257d61591bbf
.rdata 142336 bytes · 20.9% of section data
MD5 6963e03d65c3db5de095c60212a28a32
.data 7168 bytes · 1.1% of section data
MD5 f5f474fe7cf15eaa6bcef7bdb67d8cf6
.tls 512 bytes · 0.1% of section data
MD5 bf619eac0cdf3f68d496ea9344137e8b
.rsrc 120320 bytes · 17.6% of section data
MD5 0f1b33b48c5abcc2f664495b5526cb43
.reloc 18944 bytes · 2.8% of section data
MD5 0036d8838da91a1b7212d5189b78051f

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 Adware.ELEX

This report identifies BrowserUpdate.exe.8b3296 by MD5 5bce955cf12af3417f055dadc0212920. It is part of the Adware 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.

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan the device and confirm whether this exact hash is present. Check this hash on VirusTotal

Recommended next steps

  • Compare the local file MD5 with 5bce955cf12af3417f055dadc0212920.
  • Check the file path, publisher, and signature against the details in this report.
  • Run a GridinSoft scan and remove the object if the same hash is found. Use the Adware category to compare similar reports.