Is LuaTools-win-Setup.exe safe?
This unsigned installer is a trojanized version of a legitimate tool that performs process injection and communicates with external IP addresses, consistent with known infostealer and downloader activity.
Our analysis confirms this file is a malicious trojan. Despite sharing a name with a legitimate open-source project, the file is unsigned and performs unauthorized process injection and network communication, which are characteristic of malware families like Amadey.
9a52511f3041a58f36…28d72d8417d3cbRecommended next actions
Before installing
Do not install it. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.
If you already installed 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.
Our analysis confirms this file is a malicious trojan. Despite sharing a name with a legitimate open-source project, the file is unsigned and performs unauthorized process injection and network communication, which are characteristic of malware families like Amadey.
The file is an unsigned executable that exhibits high-risk behavior, including process injection into system processes and direct-IP network communication. While the filename mimics a legitimate tool, the lack of a valid digital signature and the corroborating evidence from community researchers linking the hash to known malware families confirm it is a malicious threat. The observed MITRE techniques, such as T1055 and T1486, are typical of malicious software designed to compromise systems and exfiltrate data.
What We Detected
Our analysis identified this file as a malicious trojan. Although it uses the name of a legitimate open-source project, it is unsigned and lacks the verified provenance of the original software. Multiple independent researchers have linked this specific file hash to known malware families, including Amadey and Akira.
Threat Behavior
The sample exhibits several high-risk behaviors during execution. It performs process injection (MITRE T1055) into Explorer.EXE, a technique commonly used by malware to hide its activity and maintain persistence. Additionally, it initiates direct-IP network connections, which are indicative of command-and-control (C2) communication used to receive instructions or exfiltrate data.
What To Do Now
Do not execute this file. If you have already run it, we recommend performing a full system scan with your security software, changing your saved passwords, and monitoring your system for unauthorized network activity. If you require the legitimate tool, download it only from the official, verified GitHub repository.
Where this verdict could be wrong1 caveat
- The filename 'LuaTools-win-Setup.exe' matches a legitimate open-source project on GitHub, suggesting the file may be a trojanized version of a real tool.
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
- Process injection (T1055)
- Direct-IP C2 communication
- Linked to known malware families by community researchers
- High-entropy code sections
Delete the file immediately and perform a security audit of the affected system. Only download software from official, verified sources.
Coverage & freshness
Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.
Antivirus
Complete2 of 75 engines flagged the file.
Sandbox
Complete1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.
Network
Partial2 of 6 contacted hosts were cross-checked; coverage is incomplete.
YARA
Complete2 signature or behavior rules matched.
External intel
PartialIndependent reference checks were attempted but are incomplete.
Behavior
Plain-English impact first, then the observed runtime evidence.
Runtime flight recorder
Capture complete- 1isolated sandbox run
- 24MITRE ATT&CK techniques
- 5spawned processes
- 6network contacts
- 21filesystem & mutex artifacts
What this file does
Observed actions and their security significance
High concern: Injected code into another process, a technique that can conceal execution.
High concern: Encrypted files or data, behaviour commonly associated with ransomware.
High concern: Created or modified a system service, which can keep code running.
High concern: Changed an auto-start location that can make code run after sign-in or restart.
High concern: Attempted to impair or bypass security controls.
High concern: Manipulated how the operating system loads code, which can redirect execution.
Moderate concern: Contained obfuscated or packed code that makes inspection harder.
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 trojans work
A trojan disguises itself as something useful or harmless to trick you into running it. Once open, it does its real job in the background — anything from stealing data to opening a back door or downloading more malware.
Bottom line:The disguise is the whole trick, so a trustworthy-looking name or icon means nothing.
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
LuaTools-win-Setup.exe
9a52511f3041a58f366faff3376a3579799b91e357d8717ffd28d72d8417d3cb
01Uploaded file
Processes
Runtime execution
- ProcessObserved
Observed process
"C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\LuaTools-win-Setup.exe"
02Isolated runtime analysis - ProcessObserved
Observed process
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
03Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Files
Created or changed
- Written fileObserved
velopack.log
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\velopack\velopack.log
04Isolated runtime analysis - Written fileObserved
.velopack_dir_test
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\LuaTools\.velopack_dir_test
05Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Network
Hosts contacted
- Contacted hostObserved
104.21.52.64
Contact observed during runtime.
06Isolated runtime analysis - Contacted hostObserved
140.82.112.5
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.
- 104.21.52.64
- 140.82.112.5
- 185.199.108.133
- 162.159.36.2
- https://api.github.com/repos/madoiscool/LTSP/releases/latest
- https://analytics.lua.tools/api/send
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\velopack\velopack.log
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\LuaTools\.velopack_dir_test
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\LuaTools\packages\.velopack_lock
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\LuaTools\Update.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\LuaTools\LuaTools.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\KnownGameList.bin
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\GameDVR\KnownGameList.update
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\LuaToolsGui\cache.json.tmp
- cversions.3.m
- LuaToolsGui.SingleInstance
- Local\SessionImmersiveColorMutex
Files this sample writes at runtime
This file drops 10 children at runtime. None are currently flagged malicious in our cache.
- a5f4cbd3822343dd5a7e…919b25Never scannednever seen before
- 28e66bf0d21fce9b1b78…be98a8Never scannednever seen before
- 4185d7396cb10bc33e76…05aff4Never scannednever seen before
- f504e30e37a74936ac14…5cb9cfNever scannednever seen before
- 5a29b52df2b4abf881f5…0f9582Never scannednever seen before
- 4cbf03bb0c332dafdaa3…5b6c6eNever scannednever seen before
- c02984df643dcd64a95c…106f7dNever scannednever seen before
- da3f122d19f811a0ee68…fde700Never scannednever seen before
- b716430004afd2c1d2b8…3a468cNever scannednever seen before
- 4ad4a3b2bed7f5f293f8…4f47aaNever 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.
- 2rule hits recorded
- 2 / 75engines flagged
- 765sources in submission history
Why these facts are shown
Each statement identifies whether it was directly recorded or derived from saved scan facts.
- 01
1 high-confidence signature or behavior rule matched this file.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceDerivedSourceSignature and behavior rulesObserved at - 02
2 of 75 antivirus engines flagged the file, including Kingsoft and Trapmine.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceObservedSourceAntivirus analysisObserved at - 03
The hash has been submitted 883 times from 765 sources.
ProvenanceDerivedSourceSaved report factsObserved at - 04
Scanned file: LuaTools-win-Setup.exe — 9a52511f3041a58f366faff3376a3579799b91e357d8717ffd28d72d8417d3cb
ProvenanceObservedSourceUploaded fileObserved at - 05
Observed process — "C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\LuaTools-win-Setup.exe"
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 06
Observed process — C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 07
File written: velopack.log — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\velopack\velopack.log
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 08
File written: .velopack_dir_test — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\LuaTools\.velopack_dir_test
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 09
Contacted host: 104.21.52.64 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 10
Contacted host: 140.82.112.5 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at
Detection sources at a glance
Category: generic-trojan
Available reference checks returned no match, but at least one source was unavailable. This is not a clean result.
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.
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.
EvidenceC:\Windows\Explorer.EXEThe 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.
Evidence104.21.52.64 · 140.82.112.5 · 185.199.108.133
2 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
Lots of people are uploading this but it's recent — typical of newly-released legitimate software. Low prior for malware.
Fingerprint and provenance
- File name
- LuaTools-win-Setup.exe
- Format
- Win32 EXE
- Code signing
- No verified publisher
- Size
- 11.3 MB
- Last analyzed
- Sep 1, 2026, 9:37 AM UTC
9a52511f3041a58f366faff3376a3579799b91e357d8717ffd28d72d8417d3cbSafety & 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 install this file. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.
- Recovery step 02
If you already installed 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 any of your files were locked or renamed, do NOT pay the ransom — payment rarely restores files. Recover them from a backup instead.
- Recovery step 04
Download a fresh installer 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 LuaTools-win-Setup.exe malware?
What is LuaTools-win-Setup.exe?
How many antivirus engines detected LuaTools-win-Setup.exe?
I already downloaded and installed LuaTools-win-Setup.exe — what should I do?
How do I remove LuaTools-win-Setup.exe?
What kind of malware is LuaTools-win-Setup.exe?
What is the SHA-256 hash of LuaTools-win-Setup.exe?
How up to date is this analysis of LuaTools-win-Setup.exe?
Community
Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.