MalwareTips

File scan report

Scan another file

Verdict Malicious

Analyzed , 3 months ago

Is CheatEngine77.exe safe? No, we rate this exact file malicious.

Major antivirus engines converge on OfferCore/Bundler family.

Strong evidence · Two or more major antivirus engines agree.

Don't run it: it is unwanted software

If you already ran it, uninstall it and anything that came with it.

What to do now4 steps

This is unwanted software (adware or a bundled program), not an infection. Remove it and undo any changes it made.

If you haven't installed it

  1. Don't run this file. Delete it, then empty the Recycle Bin.

If you already ran it

  1. Uninstall it and any program you don't recognise that arrived at the same time (Settings > Apps on Windows).

  2. Remove browser extensions you didn't add, and reset your browser's home page, new-tab page and search engine if they changed.

  3. Run a scan with your antivirus to catch anything bundled with it.

If you opened or installed it

Unwanted software is not a full infection, but it should go. These free MalwareTips guides show how to remove it.

Paste this report's link in your topic so helpers can see what was found.

Why we think so

Share this file report

CheatEngine77.exe: Malicious — MalwareTips file scan

The link always shows the latest result for this exact file (its SHA-256 fingerprint).

Reads the latest antivirus results for this file's hash. Nothing is uploaded.

Antivirus results

22 of 67 flagged

  • Flagged 22
  • No detection 45
  • No result 6
FileCheatEngine77.exe6.9 MBSHA-256 5cc02964795e…a434d8
  • Code signing Plooto Inc
  • Test run Completed
  • First seen 3mo ago
22 of the 67 antivirus engines that checked it flag it, including Microsoft and ESET.

Chapter 02

Why we think so

4 points against it and 2 in its favour, checked against the scan evidence.

MT AI Engine · Verdict analysis

The reasoning behind this verdict

Analyst conclusion

Samples built with the same import table were previously marked malicious for the same family.

Where this verdict could be wrong3 caveats
  • signing.verified=true with no brandMismatch; a legitimate publisher could theoretically be abused, though signerStats.totalSamples=null weakens that claim.
  • The "widely seen but new" prevalence rating could reflect a popular game-cheat installer rather than pure malware, but the offensive MITRE techniques contradict benign intent.
  • droppedChildren.hasMaliciousChild=false and contactedHosts.maliciousHosts.length=0 — no confirmed malicious files it created or hosts in cache.

These are the assessment's weak points. If you believe one applies to your file, report the verdict and we'll re-review it.

6 sources checked · 5 complete · 1 partial. See every source

Chapter 03

What it did in our test

It ran in our isolated test environment; no test environment rated what it did as risky.

Test run summary

Capture complete
  • 19sandbox rule tags
  • 8spawned processes
  • 26network contacts
  • 8filesystem & mutex artifacts

What the test run showed

What the file did on a test computer

Confirmed in the test run

  • Moderate concern: Contains packed or scrambled code that is harder to inspect (common in installers too).

  • Moderate concern: Hid files or windows on the test computer.

  • Note: Read the user name of the test computer.

  • Note: Deleted files or logs during the test run (installers often clean up after themselves).

  • Note: Talked to servers over the internet during the test run.

  • Note: Read basic details of the test computer, such as its Windows version.

  • Note: Loaded extra code modules while running.

Sandbox labels we could not confirm (common in safe files too)

  • Not confirmed: A sandbox rule tagged this run as password-store access, but nothing touched the Windows password store.

  • Not confirmed: A sandbox rule tagged this run as code injection, but no injected program was recorded.

  • Not confirmed: A sandbox rule tagged this run as searching for passwords; no password file was read.

  • Not confirmed: A sandbox rule tagged this run as reading saved logins; no login store was opened.

This file was run on a test computer (a sandbox), not on yours. Labels we could not confirm are listed so you can see them, but they are not treated as evidence against the file.

Threat context

How bundlers and adware work

This is a bundler: a real-looking installer that hides extra software inside. When you run it, it installs things you never asked for, such as ad injectors, browser toolbars or fake 'PC cleaner' apps. The people behind it get paid for every app it installs.

Bottom line:It is not usually built to destroy files, but it slows the PC, floods it with ads and can be hard to remove completely.

Recorded behavior

What happened in the test

Grouped by step. The order is not a timeline.

Seen in the test runWorked out from other results

  1. Input file

    The submitted object

    1
    1. Evidence 1 of 7: FileSeen in the test run

      CheatEngine77.exe

      5cc02964795e405e5b5d762548541b46e19d880af4315b9abf8a42919ba434d8

      Uploaded file

  2. Processes

    What ran

    2
    1. Evidence 2 of 7: ProcessSeen in the test run

      unsecapp.exe

      C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe -Embedding

      Test run
    2. Evidence 3 of 7: ProcessSeen in the test run

      opera_crashreporter.exe

      C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Programs\Opera\133.0.5932.24\opera_crashreporter.exe --type=crashpad-handler "--user-data-dir=C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable" /prefetch:4 --monitor-self-annotation=ptype=crashpad-handler "--database=C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable\Crash Reports" "--crash-count-file=C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable\crash_count.txt" --url=https://crashstats-collector-2.opera.com/ --annotation=channel=Stable --annotation=plat=Win64 --annotation=prod=OperaDesktop --annotation=ver=133.0.5932.24 --initial-client-data=0x2ac,0x2b0,0x2b4,0x240,0x2b8,0x7ff892c04fe0,0x7ff892c04ff0,0x7ff892c05000

      Test run
    3. +1 more recorded observation

  3. Files

    Created or changed

    2
    1. Evidence 4 of 7: Written fileSeen in the test run

      metadata

      C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable\Crash Reports\metadata

      Test run
    2. Evidence 5 of 7: Written fileSeen in the test run

      CheatEngine77.tmp

      C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-D33HA1U7HA.tmp\CheatEngine77.tmp

      Test run
    3. +1 more recorded observation

  4. Network

    Hosts contacted

    2
    1. Evidence 6 of 7: Contacted hostSeen in the test run

      13.33.19.213

      Contacted during the test run.

      Test run
    2. Evidence 7 of 7: Contacted hostSeen in the test run

      3.170.83.164

      Contacted during the test run.

      Test run
    3. +1 more recorded observation

7 facts from the test run. See the full activity list.

Chapter 04

Technical details

22 of the 67 antivirus engines that checked it flag it; signed by Plooto Inc.

Sources checked

Every check behind this verdict

6 sources checked · 5 complete · 1 partial. Complete means the check returned a usable result; it does not mean the file is safe.

SourceStatusResultChecked
Antivirus enginesVirusTotal · 73 enginesCompleteRisk signal: 22 of 67 engines flagged it · 6 gave no result Details for antivirus engines
Sandbox runVirusTotal sandboxesCompleteRuntime behaviour was recorded Details for sandbox run
Contacted hostsMalwareTips URL scannerPartial11 of 26 contacted hosts were cross-checked; coverage is incomplete Details for contacted hosts
Signature rulesYARAify community rules + MalwareTips rulesComplete7 community YARA rules · 2 MalwareTips behaviour rules Details for signature rules
Malware sample databaseabuse.ch MalwareBazaarCompleteNot listed
Known-software referenceCIRCL hashlookupCompleteNo match

Engines that flagged it 22

  • BitDefender (major engine)Gen:Variant.Application.Bundler.OfferCore.4
  • DrWeb (major engine)Trojan.InstallCore.4116
  • Emsisoft (major engine)Gen:Variant.Application.Bundler.OfferCore.4 (B)
  • ESET-NOD32 (major engine)Win32/OfferCore.B potentially unwanted application
  • GData (major engine)Gen:Variant.Application.Bundler.OfferCore.4
  • Microsoft (major engine)PUADlManager:Win32/OfferCore
  • Sophos (major engine)Generic Reputation PUA (PUA)
  • TrellixENS (major engine)Artemis!0DE678B499F8
14 more in the full engine list

File fingerprint

Last analyzed
Jul 10, 2026, 2:36 AM UTC
SHA-256
5cc02964795e405e5b5d762548541b46e19d880af4315b9abf8a42919ba434d8
SHA-1
b5612f82d10ced60dccc2e47e45fbe29e6ee298b
MD5
0de678b499f8fc64f1e8ed8682c5c754

About this file

CheatEngine77.exe is a Win32 EXE file of 6.9 MB.

Type and size
Win32 EXE · 6.9 MB
Signer
Plooto IncValid code signature.
First seen
Jul 8, 2026On VirusTotal.
Submitted by
146 distinct sources
Packer
None detected
Entropy
8.00 of 8

First scanned Updated

Chapter 05

Questions & answers

Short answers to the 9 questions people ask most about this file.

Is CheatEngine77.exe malware?
CheatEngine77.exe is not a virus, but it is unwanted software (adware or a bundled program). Don't run it. Delete it, then empty the Recycle Bin. 22 of the 67 antivirus engines that checked it flag it, most as offercore. If you've already run it, see the removal steps below.
What is CheatEngine77.exe?
CheatEngine77.exe is a Windows program, about 6.9 MB. It carries no version information saying what it is or who made it. VirusTotal first saw it on Jul 8, 2026.
How many antivirus engines detected CheatEngine77.exe?
22 of the 67 antivirus engines that checked it flag CheatEngine77.exe, including Microsoft and ESET. We weigh which engines flagged it and what else the scan found, not just the count. The rating comes from all the evidence together, not from this count alone.
I already downloaded and ran CheatEngine77.exe — what should I do?
1) Uninstall it, and any program you don't recognise that arrived at the same time, from Settings > Apps (or Control Panel > Programs). 2) Remove browser extensions you didn't add and reset your browser's home page, new-tab page and search engine if they changed. 3) Run a scan with your antivirus to catch anything bundled with it. It is unwanted software rather than an infection, so you don't need to disconnect the device, change passwords or reinstall anything unless the scan finds real malware.
How do I remove CheatEngine77.exe?
To remove CheatEngine77.exe: 1) uninstall it from Settings > Apps (or Control Panel > Programs), together with anything installed alongside it. 2) Remove unfamiliar browser extensions and reset browser settings it changed. 3) Delete it, then empty the Recycle Bin. 4) Run a scan with your antivirus and remove what it finds.
What kind of program is CheatEngine77.exe?
Antivirus engines classify CheatEngine77.exe as unwanted software: adware or a bundled program that installs things you didn't ask for. Engines attribute it to the offercore family.
Is CheatEngine77.exe digitally signed?
Yes. CheatEngine77.exe has a valid digital signature from Plooto Inc, which shows the file hasn't been changed since that publisher signed it. Malware is sometimes signed with stolen certificates, so a signature alone isn't proof of safety.
What is the SHA-256 hash of CheatEngine77.exe?
The SHA-256 fingerprint of CheatEngine77.exe is 5cc02964795e405e5b5d762548541b46e19d880af4315b9abf8a42919ba434d8, and its MD5 is 0de678b499f8fc64f1e8ed8682c5c754. Two files with the same SHA-256 are identical, so use it to check you have exactly this file, not just one with the same name.
How up to date is this analysis of CheatEngine77.exe?
This report reflects the scan on Jul 10, 2026. A file's fingerprint never changes, but antivirus engines keep learning, so a rating can change later. To get a newer result, scan the file again: we refresh the antivirus results when the saved ones are out of date.
Chapter 06

Community

Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.

Related file reports

Other files people checked with the same name, signer or threat family. A matching name does not make two files the same: only the SHA-256 fingerprint identifies a file.

All file reports
Scan another
Check a different file
URL instead?
Check if a link is safe
This report and its SHA-256 fingerprint are public, so the next person who checks the same file gets an instant answer; documents and images are listed by type instead of their file name. A file we had not seen before is uploaded to VirusTotal, whose security partners and subscribers can download it; MalwareTips deletes its own copy after the scan. If you ran this file and are worried, scan your device with up-to-date security software.