MalwareTips
Threat LensFile scan report

Is VC_redist.x64.exe safe?

Verdict
Suspicious

No antivirus engine detected the file, but a malicious sandbox result, two offensive techniques, and eight researcher rules warrant caution despite high prevalence.

All 75 antivirus engines avoided a detection, including 14 tier-1 engines, and the file is widely prevalent. However, one completed sandbox produced a malicious result, T1134 and T1543.003 were observed, and eight researcher rules matched, so the evidence remains materially conflicted.

Do not run it until verified

Quarantine this copy pending provenance verification, and replace it with a fresh download from Microsoft if needed. Keep antivirus and endpoint protection enabled.

Read the full analysis
Saved file evidenceAntivirus consensus
0of 75 flagged
Flagged 0No detection 75
Digital specimenVC_redist.x64.execc0ff0eb1dc3f5188a…184072096b713b
Size24.4 MB
Code signingUnsigned
SandboxRuntime complete
First seen1y ago
Evidence3 priority signals
1 isolated runtime environment classified the observed behavior as malicious.

Recommended next actions

01

Before running

Do not run it until the source and publisher can be verified independently.

02

If you already ran it

Stop using it, scan the device, and watch for unexpected behavior or security alerts. Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.

Chapter 02

Intelligence

The saved assessment, checked against the scan evidence and recorded coverage.

MT AI Engine · Verdict analysis

The reasoning behind this verdict

This section explains the evidence supporting the verdict and keeps conflicting or missing signals visible.

78%Confidence
High
Analyst conclusion

All 75 antivirus engines avoided a detection, including 14 tier-1 engines, and the file is widely prevalent. However, one completed sandbox produced a malicious result, T1134 and T1543.003 were observed, and eight researcher rules matched, so the evidence remains materially conflicted.

Where this verdict could be wrong4 caveats
  • The antivirus consensus is unusually favorable: 0/75 detections, including no tier-1 detections.
  • The sample is unsigned even though signing.applicable=true, so its Microsoft-themed filename lacks certificate-backed publisher identity.
  • All 10 inspected dropped children have unknown verdicts; droppedChildren.hasMaliciousChild=false does not establish that those children are benign.
  • Community annotations conflict, but adversarialInputFlags.commentInjectionSuspected=true makes that text unsuitable as decisive evidence.

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

Recommended action

Quarantine this copy pending provenance verification, and replace it with a fresh download from Microsoft if needed. Keep antivirus and endpoint protection enabled.

Scan transparency

Coverage & freshness

4 of 5 complete

Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.

  • Antivirus

    Complete

    0 of 75 engines flagged the file.

  • Sandbox

    Complete

    1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.

  • Network

    Partial

    16 of 36 contacted hosts were cross-checked; coverage is incomplete.

  • YARA

    Complete

    5 signature or behavior rules matched.

  • External intel

    Complete

    3 of 3 independent reference sources completed.

Chapter 03

Behavior

Plain-English impact first, then the observed runtime evidence.

Runtime flight recorder

Capture complete
  • 1isolated sandbox run
  • 32MITRE ATT&CK techniques
  • 15spawned processes
  • 36network contacts
  • 32filesystem & mutex artifacts

What this file does

Observed actions and their security significance

  • High concern: Created or modified a system service, which can keep code running.

  • 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: Communicates over the network in a non-standard way.

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.

Recorded behavior

Attack story

Runtime observations grouped by analysis stage. Arrows organize the stages; they do not claim chronology or causality.

ObservedDerived

7 recorded facts from one runtime window. Every fact remains independently traceable in Analyst mode.

Chapter 04

Detection & Forensics

Consensus, attribution, signatures, code structure, prevalence, and identity.

Chapter 05

Safety & FAQ

Complete recovery guidance and answers for the next decision.

What to do now

We couldn't fully clear this file. Treat it with caution.

  1. Recovery step 01

    Don't run it unless you're certain it came from a source you trust.

  2. Recovery step 02

    Check where you got it — an unexpected attachment or a random download link is a red flag.

  3. Recovery step 03

    If its origin cannot be confirmed, delete this file and use a fresh copy from a trusted source. Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.

  4. Recovery step 04

    If you're still unsure, scan it again in a day or two — detections often catch up on newer files.

Safety FAQ

Direct answers grounded in the saved verdict and evidence in this report.

7 evidence-based answers
Is VC_redist.x64.exe safe, or is it malware?
Evidence-based answer
VC_redist.x64.exe is suspicious — treat it as unsafe until you're sure. No antivirus engine flagged it; the cautious verdict comes from other saved evidence such as identity, prevalence, signing, or runtime signals. Don't run it unless you fully trust where it came from. Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.
What is VC_redist.x64.exe?
Evidence-based answer
VC_redist.x64.exe is a Windows executable program, about 24.4 MB. We identify a file by its cryptographic hash rather than its name, because the same filename can be reused by completely different files — the hash below is the reliable fingerprint.
How many antivirus engines detected VC_redist.x64.exe?
Evidence-based answer
None — 0 of 75 antivirus engines flagged VC_redist.x64.exe. A clean antivirus result is not proof of safety; the cautious verdict comes from other saved evidence such as identity, prevalence, signing, or runtime signals.
I already downloaded and ran VC_redist.x64.exe — what should I do?
Evidence-based answer
Act quickly. 1) Disconnect the device from the internet to stop the malware communicating or spreading. 2) Run a full scan with reputable anti-malware software (such as Malwarebytes) and quarantine everything it finds. 3) Change your important passwords from a DIFFERENT, clean device — many threats log keystrokes or steal saved credentials. 4) If you bank or shop on this device, watch closely for fraud and alert your bank. 5) For a confirmed infection, the most reliable fix is to back up your personal files and reinstall the operating system for a clean start.
How do I remove VC_redist.x64.exe?
Evidence-based answer
To remove VC_redist.x64.exe: 1) restart into Safe Mode (Safe Mode with Networking if you need to download a tool) so the malware doesn't auto-start. 2) Run a full scan with reputable anti-malware software and let it quarantine or delete the detections. 3) Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash. 4) Check your browser extensions, startup items, and scheduled tasks for anything unfamiliar. 5) Reboot and scan again to confirm it's gone. If detections keep coming back, a clean operating-system reinstall is the most dependable cure.
What is the SHA-256 hash of VC_redist.x64.exe?
Evidence-based answer
The SHA-256 hash of VC_redist.x64.exe is cc0ff0eb1dc3f5188ae6300faef32bf5beeba4bdd6e8e445a9184072096b713b, and its MD5 is 486f81facf798678c3244c7cf35a557f. This hash is the file's unique fingerprint — two files with the same SHA-256 are identical. Use it to confirm you're looking at exactly this file (not just one with the same name) when comparing against antivirus databases or a download's published checksum.
How up to date is this analysis of VC_redist.x64.exe?
Evidence-based answer
This report reflects the scan run on October 3, 2026. Because a file's hash never changes, the identity of VC_redist.x64.exe is fixed — but antivirus coverage improves over time, so a file that looks clean today can pick up detections later (and vice-versa). If you need the latest picture, MalwareTips staff can re-run the analysis from scratch.
Chapter 06

Community

Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.

Scan another
Check a different file
URL instead?
Check if a link is safe
The raw file is processed temporarily and is not retained after processing. Its hash and report are public and permanent, so the next person who checks the same file gets an instant answer. Unknown files may be submitted to VirusTotal for analysis. If you ran this file on your computer and are worried, scan your system with an up-to-date antivirus and change critical passwords from a different device.