Abstract
We present a large-scale study of Windows freeware installers. In particular, we look for potentially unwanted programs (PUP) and other potentially unwanted modifications to the target system made by freeware installers. The analysis is based on almost 800 installers gathered from eight popular software download portals. We measure how many of them drop PUP, such as browser plugins, or make other modifications to the system. In addition to these results, we find that most installers that download executable files over the network are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, which in the worst cases may be used to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the target system. Moreover, serious man-in-the-middle vulnerabilities are found in application managers provided by download portals.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
