Is Ableton_KeyGen.exe safe?
Unsigned keygen executable with strong tier-1 hacktool consensus across seven high-trust engines.
44 of 75 engines flag the file, including seven tier-1 detections that converge on the keygen family. The binary is unsigned, contains an offensive MITRE technique, and matches a prior malicious imphash verdict.
979a66f347df50eea0…241dcc142064aeRecommended next actions
Before running
Do not run it. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.
If you already ran it
Disconnect from the internet, start a full or offline antivirus scan, then secure important accounts from a clean device.
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.
44 of 75 engines flag the file, including seven tier-1 detections that converge on the keygen family. The binary is unsigned, contains an offensive MITRE technique, and matches a prior malicious imphash verdict.
The tier-1 family consensus on keygen is strong and corroborated by Microsoft’s explicit HackTool label. The file is unsigned despite being an executable that claims to generate software licenses. Similar-hash history shows another sample with the same imphash previously classified malicious for the same reason. No signed-publisher history or benign research-tool context offsets the hacktool evidence.
What We Detected
Seven tier-1 engines and 37 additional engines classify the sample as a key generator. Microsoft explicitly labels it HackTool:Win32/Keygen!MSR. The binary is unsigned and exhibits T1134 token manipulation.
Threat Behavior
Key generators are distributed to bypass software licensing. They frequently bundle additional malware or expose users to legal and security risks. The sample writes multiple temporary files and contacts raw IP addresses without domain names.
What To Do Now
Do not execute the file. Delete it and scan the system with up-to-date endpoint protection. Avoid downloading or running key generators from any source.
Where this verdict could be wrong1 caveat
- prevalence.classification=common_old (1880 submitters) — keygens are widely distributed, but does not override tier-1 hacktool consensus.
These are the assessment's weak points. If you believe one applies to your file, report the verdict and we'll re-review it.
- Unsigned executable
- Strong tier-1 keygen consensus
- Offensive MITRE technique T1134
- Prior malicious imphash match
Treat the file as malicious and remove it; refrain from using any key-generation tools.
Coverage & freshness
Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.
Antivirus
Complete44 of 75 engines flagged the file.
Sandbox
Complete1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.
Network
Partial20 runtime contacts were observed without a completed reputation cross-check.
YARA
Complete1 signature or behavior rule 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
- 19MITRE ATT&CK techniques
- 15spawned processes
- 20network contacts
- 32filesystem & mutex artifacts
What this file does
Observed actions and their security significance
High concern: Changed an auto-start location that can make code run after sign-in or restart.
High concern: Manipulated how the operating system loads code, which can redirect execution.
Moderate concern: Contained obfuscated or packed code that makes inspection harder.
Moderate concern: Runs hidden system commands (script or shell).
Moderate concern: Communicated over a common application protocol; malware can use this for command-and-control.
Moderate concern: Scans through your files and folders.
Moderate concern: Checked the environment for virtualisation or analysis tools.
These are observed capabilities from an isolated analysis. A technique does not prove malicious intent on its own, and the file never ran on your device.
Threat context
How hacktools are abused
This is a hacking or cracking tool — the kind used to bypass software licences, generate fake keys, or attack other systems. Even when the tool 'works', these downloads very often carry hidden malware.
Bottom line:Running one means trusting an anonymous author with full access to your PC — rarely worth the risk.
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
Ableton_KeyGen.exe
979a66f347df50eea02a69e44985585a1c13d9ed93c63f65ed241dcc142064ae
01Uploaded file
Processes
Runtime execution
- ProcessObserved
Observed process
"C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\executable.exe"
02Isolated runtime analysis - ProcessObserved
Observed process
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\keygen.exe
03Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Files
Created or changed
- Written fileObserved
nse35BD.tmp
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\nse35BD.tmp
04Isolated runtime analysis - Written fileObserved
BASSMOD.dll
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\BASSMOD.dll
05Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Network
Hosts contacted
- Contacted hostObserved
a83f:8110:1402:0:0:0:0:0
Contact observed during runtime.
06Isolated runtime analysis - Contacted hostObserved
20.99.184.37
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.
- a83f:8110:1402:0:0:0:0:0
- 20.99.184.37
- 192.229.211.108
- 20.99.186.246
- 23.216.147.56
- a83f:8110:0:0:64ca:1f00:0:0
- 23.53.122.133
- 20.22.113.133
- 20.99.185.48
- 23.216.147.76
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\nse35BD.tmp
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\BASSMOD.dll
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\bgm.xm
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\keygen.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\R2RLIVE2.dll
- %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\~DFE5FA6E38F4F2EE92.TMP
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER2834.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER2835.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml
- C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\cache\cache.dat
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER292F.tmp.csv
- Local\MidiMapper_modLongMessage_RefCnt
- \Sessions\1\BaseNamedObjects\Local\MidiMapper_modLongMessage_RefCnt
Files this sample writes at runtime
This file drops 5 children at runtime. None are currently flagged malicious in our cache.
- 780a30ea7a71707e5d49…a97433Never scannednever seen before
- a446a90d6873b1fbe20d…b11d96Never scannednever seen before
- 8ad9e47693e292f381da…dd547fNever scannednever seen before
- 9ae311e672f224a27350…d12882Never scannednever seen before
- 5910fd7908352d112e0e…08251cNever 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.
- 1rule hit recorded
- 44 / 75engines flagged
- 1,880sources in submission history
Why these facts are shown
Each statement identifies whether it was directly recorded or derived from saved scan facts.
- 01
44 of 75 antivirus engines flagged the file, including AhnLab-V3 and ALYac.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceObservedSourceAntivirus analysisObserved at - 02
The hash has a long, established submission history across 1,880 sources.
ProvenanceDerivedSourceSubmission historyObserved at - 03
The hash has been submitted 2,273 times from 1,880 sources.
ProvenanceDerivedSourceSaved report factsObserved at - 04
Scanned file: Ableton_KeyGen.exe — 979a66f347df50eea02a69e44985585a1c13d9ed93c63f65ed241dcc142064ae
ProvenanceObservedSourceUploaded fileObserved at - 05
Observed process — "C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\executable.exe"
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 06
Observed process — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\keygen.exe
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 07
File written: nse35BD.tmp — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\nse35BD.tmp
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 08
File written: BASSMOD.dll — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\BASSMOD.dll
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 09
Contacted host: a83f:8110:1402:0:0:0:0:0 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 10
Contacted host: 20.99.184.37 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at
Detection sources at a glance
Category: hacktool
MalwareBazaar, YARAify, and CIRCL hashlookup completed and returned no entries for this hash.
Signatures and behavior heuristics
Behavioral heuristics matched patterns associated with malware. Corroborating evidence determines how much weight they carry.
The 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.
Evidencea83f:8110:1402:0:0:0:0:0 · 20.99.184.37 · 192.229.211.108
44 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
- Ableton_KeyGen.exe
- Format
- Win32 EXE
- Code signing
- No verified publisher
- Size
- 823.1 KB
- Last analyzed
- Aug 18, 2026, 12:47 PM UTC
979a66f347df50eea02a69e44985585a1c13d9ed93c63f65ed241dcc142064aeSafety & FAQ
Complete recovery guidance and answers for the next decision.
What to do now
This file is dangerous. Treat it as harmful and remove it.
- Recovery step 01
Don't run this file. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.
- Recovery step 02
If you already ran it, disconnect from the internet and start with a full antivirus scan or Microsoft Defender Offline scan. If compromise is suspected or the problem persists, use a reputable second-opinion scanner and follow incident-recovery or clean-reinstall guidance.
- Recovery step 03
If you typed any passwords while it was open, change them from a device you trust.
- Recovery step 04
Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.
Safety FAQ
Direct answers grounded in the saved verdict and evidence in this report.
Is Ableton_KeyGen.exe a virus?
What is Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
How many antivirus engines detected Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
What should I do if I already ran Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
How do I remove Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
What kind of malware is Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
What is the SHA-256 hash of Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
How up to date is this analysis of Ableton_KeyGen.exe?
Community
Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.