Is dsetup.dll safe?
No antivirus engine detected this long-established, Microsoft-signed DirectX setup DLL, while its broad YARA matches lack supporting malicious runtime or child-file evidence.
All 75 antivirus engines avoided a malware detection, including the reporting tier-1 products, and the signature verifies as Microsoft Corporation. Although five community YARA rules and a T1055 mapping warrant notice, the file has extensive historical prevalence, no malicious sandbox verdict, and no malicious dropped child.
2a61679eeedabf7d0d…c1576ff96da21fRecommended next actions
Before using
Use it only as part of software obtained from the developer's official site or another source you independently trust.
If you already used it
Keep normal device protection enabled and stop if the file behaves unexpectedly.
Intelligence
The saved assessment, checked against the scan evidence and recorded coverage.
The reasoning behind this verdict
This section explains the evidence supporting the verdict and keeps conflicting or missing signals visible.
All 75 antivirus engines avoided a malware detection, including the reporting tier-1 products, and the signature verifies as Microsoft Corporation. Although five community YARA rules and a T1055 mapping warrant notice, the file has extensive historical prevalence, no malicious sandbox verdict, and no malicious dropped child.
The strongest evidence is the complete absence of detections across 75 antivirus engines, with 16 tier-1 products reporting no detection. The DLL carries a verified Microsoft Corporation signature and has been widely submitted since 2011. Its completed sandbox run produced no malicious verdict, and none of the 10 inspected child files was identified as malicious. Five community YARA rules matched, but several are generic, and the ransomware-named rule lacks corroboration from engines, runtime verdicts, or child-file analysis. The T1055 mapping and direct-IP activity remain cautionary signals, although host-reputation coverage did not encompass all observed contacts. Five prior Microsoft-signer matches also received benign-installer reason codes, reinforcing the publisher context.
What We Detected
No malware detection was reported by any of 75 antivirus engines. The DLL has a verified Microsoft Corporation signature, and signing.trustedPublisher.matched confirms the publisher against the curated list. It is also well established, with 3,213 sources and 5,299 submissions dating back to 2011.
Threat Behavior
One completed sandbox mapped activity to T1055 and recorded direct-IP connections, but it did not issue a malicious sandbox verdict. Ten dropped children were inspected without a malicious child finding. Five community YARA rules matched; however, most are broad static patterns, and the VECT_Ransomware rule is unsupported by antivirus family labels or observed ransomware behavior. Only two contacted URLs were reputation-checked while additional IP contacts were recorded, so a complete host-reputation result is unavailable.
What To Do Now
Use the DLL only when it comes from the expected Microsoft DirectX redistributable or a trusted software package. Keep endpoint protection enabled and re-download the installer from its official distributor if the file appeared unexpectedly or outside a legitimate application directory.
Where this verdict could be wrong4 caveats
- externalIntel.yaraify.ruleCount=5 includes VECT_Ransomware, although the other matches cover certificates, debug output, Go detection, and broad obfuscation patterns.
- behaviour.offensiveTechniques includes T1055, but the completed sandbox supplied no malicious verdict.
- The DirectIpC2 heuristic cites 13 IP addresses, while contactedHosts inspected only 2 observed URLs; therefore no complete host-reputation result is available.
- signing.signerStats includes 1 malicious result among 18 Microsoft-signed historical samples, so signer history is strongly favorable but not perfect.
These are the assessment's weak points. If you believe one applies to your file, report the verdict and we'll re-review it.
- 0/75 antivirus engines reported a malicious result.
- Verified signature from Microsoft Corporation.
- Trusted publisher match for Microsoft.
- Common, long-established file with 5,299 submissions since 2011.
- No malicious sandbox verdict or malicious dropped child.
- Five community YARA rules matched, including VECT_Ransomware.
- Runtime evidence mapped possible process injection to MITRE T1055.
- The sample contacted 13 IP addresses directly.
- Host-reputation coverage was incomplete for all observed network contacts.
Allow it when its source and installation context match a legitimate DirectX or trusted software package. If its origin is unexpected, obtain a fresh copy from the official distributor while keeping security protection enabled.
Coverage & freshness
Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.
Antivirus
Complete0 of 75 engines flagged the file.
Sandbox
Complete1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.
Network
Partial2 of 15 contacted hosts were cross-checked; coverage is incomplete.
YARA
Complete7 signature or behavior rules matched.
External intel
Complete3 of 3 independent reference sources completed.
Behavior
Plain-English impact first, then the observed runtime evidence.
Runtime flight recorder
Capture complete- 1isolated sandbox run
- 16MITRE ATT&CK techniques
- 4spawned processes
- 15network contacts
- 40filesystem & mutex artifacts
Attack story
Runtime observations grouped by analysis stage. Arrows organize the stages; they do not claim chronology or causality.
Input file
The submitted object
- FileObserved
dsetup.dll
2a61679eeedabf7d0d0ac14e5447486575622d6b7cfa56f136c1576ff96da21f
01Uploaded file
Processes
Runtime execution
- ProcessObserved
Observed process
"C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe" "C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\DSETUP.dll",#1
02Isolated runtime analysis - ProcessObserved
Observed process
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe -u -p 3632 -s 752
03Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Files
Created or changed
- Written fileObserved
AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab
04Isolated runtime analysis - Written fileObserved
Report.wer
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab\Report.wer
05Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Network
Hosts contacted
- Contacted hostObserved
204.79.197.203
Contact observed during runtime.
06Isolated runtime analysis - Contacted hostObserved
17.188.145.170
Contact observed during runtime.
07Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
7 recorded facts from one runtime window. Every fact remains independently traceable in Analyst mode.
What this file did when executed
This file was detonated in 1 sandbox and its runtime behaviour was observed.
Adversary techniques mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
- 204.79.197.203
- 17.188.145.170
- 17.188.148.41
- 17.188.155.177
- 17.188.145.37
- 17.188.145.174
- 17.188.148.43
- 17.188.149.164
- 17.188.153.47
- 23.55.62.51
- http://init-p01st.push.apple.com/bag
- http://ocsp.apple.com/ocsp03-asi2ca02/ME4wTKADAgEAMEUwQzBBMAkGBSsOAwIaBQAEFDpjNYC91gD+zsNfJ0wP9wrPSi8lBBQSdXxHkv2D474u/Fl/Z0OBNRBF7AIIXJDZkJ+MrDE=
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab\Report.wer
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_09aa9609
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_09aa9609\Report.wer
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_182a56be
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER66AF.tmp
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER69BD.tmp
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER6B35.tmp
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER66AF.tmp.dmp
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER69BD.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml
- DSETUP DLL Mutex
- Local\SM0:3632:168:WilStaging_02
- Local\SM0:2852:168:WilStaging_02
- Local\WERReportingForProcess3632
- Global\AmiProviderMutex_InventoryApplicationFile
Files this sample writes at runtime
This file drops 10 children at runtime. None are currently flagged malicious in our cache.
- f0f73c9880625fc1b212…5656dfNever scannednever seen before
- 5d7e8147b05db16301df…8ecccaNever scannednever seen before
- 4007a620e8e881d5ab29…578dd9Never scannednever seen before
- 3f9f268e37ee66c67ddf…18b148Never scannednever seen before
- b3ac81aa6e4b6d65f6f9…5e909bNever scannednever seen before
- 5491e4c043f4751e731d…4945c9Never scannednever seen before
- ed131dd0c2536b0d44c9…d3b49fNever scannednever seen before
- b6353a509e3950d1848d…ec5688Never scannednever seen before
- 424e6257e3d9887ba764…93af52Never scannednever seen before
- 962efad5d75c349a7796…776b62Never scannednever seen before
Detection & Forensics
Consensus, attribution, signatures, code structure, prevalence, and identity.
Evidence integrity
Chain of custody for the facts preserved in this report.
- 7rule hits recorded
- 0 / 75engines flagged
- 3,213sources in submission history
Why these facts are shown
Each statement identifies whether it was directly recorded or derived from saved scan facts.
- 01
0 of 75 antivirus engines flagged the file.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceObservedSourceAntivirus analysisObserved at - 02
The hash appears in a known-software reference database.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceObservedSourceReference software databaseObserved at - 03
The hash has a long, established submission history across 3,213 sources.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceDerivedSourceSubmission historyObserved at - 04
Scanned file: dsetup.dll — 2a61679eeedabf7d0d0ac14e5447486575622d6b7cfa56f136c1576ff96da21f
ProvenanceObservedSourceUploaded fileObserved at - 05
Observed process — "C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe" "C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\DSETUP.dll",#1
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 06
Observed process — C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe -u -p 3632 -s 752
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 07
File written: AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab — C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 08
File written: Report.wer — C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_rundll32.exe_f3f0552e1f33edf84cee738894a9d8bf5d8e3b78_82810a17_059661ab\Report.wer
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 09
Contacted host: 204.79.197.203 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 10
Contacted host: 17.188.145.170 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at
Detection sources at a glance
The available sources did not agree on a named threat category.
One or more independent reference databases matched this hash.
Signatures and behavior heuristics
A community signature or high-severity behavioral heuristic matched. Signatures identify known patterns; heuristics are strong leads but are not proof on their own.
- Check_OutputDebugStringA_iat
- golang_bin_JCorn_CSC846
- PE_Digital_Certificate
- VECT_Ransomware
- Sus_Obf_Enc_Spoof_Hide_PE
The saved runtime evidence maps this activity to MITRE T1055 (Process Injection). The mapping supports possible process injection, but it does not prove the exact injection method or the operator's intent.
Evidence"C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe" "C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\DSETUP.dll",#1The sample contacted an external IP address directly and no application domain was recorded. Direct-IP traffic also occurs in legitimate installers and infrastructure, so this is supporting context only and requires corroboration from host reputation and other runtime evidence.
Evidence204.79.197.203 · 17.188.145.170 · 17.188.148.41
0 of 75 engines flagged this file
View all 75 engine results
Section entropy & packers
No high-entropy executable section or known packer signature was detected. Data and resource sections can still have high entropy without indicating packed code.
How widely this file has been seen
Widely seen in the wild for a long time. High prior this is legitimate; isolated detections on common-old files are usually false positives.
Fingerprint and provenance
- File name
- dsetup.dll
- Format
- Win32 DLL
- Code signing
- Signature valid: Microsoft Corporation
- Size
- 93.3 KB
- Last analyzed
- Sep 11, 2026, 1:22 PM UTC
2a61679eeedabf7d0d0ac14e5447486575622d6b7cfa56f136c1576ff96da21fSafety & FAQ
Complete recovery guidance and answers for the next decision.
What to do now
This file appears low risk based on the evidence available now.
- Recovery step 01
Use it only as part of software obtained from the developer's official site or another source you independently trust.
- Recovery step 02
A clean result reduces known risk, but it cannot guarantee that every new or targeted threat has been detected.
- Recovery step 03
Keep your antivirus and Windows updates switched on so you stay protected.
Safety FAQ
Direct answers grounded in the saved verdict and evidence in this report.
Is dsetup.dll safe?
What is dsetup.dll?
How many antivirus engines detected dsetup.dll?
Is dsetup.dll digitally signed?
What is the SHA-256 hash of dsetup.dll?
Is it safe to use dsetup.dll?
How up to date is this analysis of dsetup.dll?
Community
Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.