GridinSoft Threat Intelligence

HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe threat report

Detected as Adware.SweetIM File reputation report
MD5 ba970686deca50a7eb80c7206dcb458e
Latest seen 2023-07-05 23:19:15 (2 years ago)
First seen 2017-10-12 15:01:41 (8 years ago)
Size 9 MB
Publisher SweetLabs, Inc
Signed by SweetLabs Inc.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection

Detected by GridinSoft before you download

The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Adware.SweetIM. 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.SweetIM
Recommended action
Scan and remove
Last analysis
2023-07-05 23:19:15 (2 years ago)
File hash
ba970686deca50a7eb80c7206dcb458e
Download Anti-Malware

Why it matters

Why GridinSoft flags this file

Detection

GridinSoft identifies the sample as Adware.SweetIM.

Timeline

First seen 2017-10-12 15:01:41 (8 years ago); latest analysis 2023-07-05 23:19:15 (2 years ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: SweetLabs, Inc. Product metadata: Host App Service Updater.

Digital signature

Signed by SweetLabs Inc.. 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.

HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Host App Service Updater. The reported company name is SweetLabs, Inc. The current detection status is Adware.SweetIM, based on the latest analysis from 2023-07-05 23:19:15 (2 years ago).

If HostAppServiceUpdater (1).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 Adware.SweetIM.

Product Name: Host App Service Updater
Company Name: SweetLabs, Inc
MD5: ba970686deca50a7eb80c7206dcb458e
Size: 9 MB
First Published: 2017-10-12 15:01:41 (8 years ago)
Latest Published: 2023-07-05 23:19:15 (2 years ago)
Status: Adware.SweetIM (on last analysis)
Analysis Date: 2023-07-05 23:19:15 (2 years ago)
HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe 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.

Signed By: SweetLabs Inc.
Status: Valid

The signature on HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe 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.

%localappdata%\host app service\engine
%sysdrive%\windows.old\users\philip winstanley\appdata\local\host app service\engine
%sysdrive%\adwcleaner\quarantine\1xvpfvjcrg\engine
%desktop%\recuper\users\sergi\appdata\local\host app service\engine
%localappdata%\host app service
%programfiles%\adwcleaner\quarantine\x3cf3ednhm

ThreatInfo has observed HostAppServiceUpdater (1).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.

HostAppServiceUpdater.exe HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe

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.

13.5%
9.6%
9.6%
9.6%
7.7%
7.7%
7.7%
5.8%
3.8%
3.8%
3.8%
3.8%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%

The strongest geographic signal for this file is Brazil with 13.5% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.

Windows 10 100.0%

The most common operating system signal for HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe is Windows 10 with 100.0% 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.

HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe is identified as pe for 64-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 64-bit
Subsystem Windows GUI
Entry point 0x003d62f4
Image base 0x0000000140000000

PE Sections:

Sections 9
Raw data 10347008

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

.text 6475776 bytes · 62.6% of section data
Large raw data
MD5 aed6decaba97a63f2adbd7de6d10c78d
.rdata 1871360 bytes · 18.1% of section data
MD5 d3def0a8ccf8c1d2ae347dbef353cfd8
.data 555520 bytes · 5.4% of section data
MD5 e3b7ab4bd72203a9dff12748f090d998
.pdata 406016 bytes · 3.9% of section data
MD5 0c860537a93bd2b177a5a75ec611fd13
text 3072 bytes · 0.0% of section data
MD5 0fea4048a188ecb87c1c11e73064f2f3
data 10240 bytes · 0.1% of section data
MD5 a6643ae545092962a14d7bee1a5b20fe
.tls 512 bytes · 0.0% of section data
MD5 bf619eac0cdf3f68d496ea9344137e8b
.rsrc 968704 bytes · 9.4% of section data
MD5 199daa793dfe5a261443a037311dcd3f
.reloc 55808 bytes · 0.5% of section data
MD5 3c484099a1f9590be11c68f76dd6a8af

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.SweetIM

This report identifies HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe by MD5 ba970686deca50a7eb80c7206dcb458e. 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 ba970686deca50a7eb80c7206dcb458e.
  • 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.