Is HeliosSetup.exe safe?
Unsigned installer flagged as EDRSilencer hacktool by Kaspersky and others, with process injection (T1055), LSASS access, and a malicious dropped child.
Our antivirus network detects this as an EDRSilencer hacktool due to multiple engine labels, offensive behaviors like process injection into Explorer.exe and LSASS targeting, plus a confirmed malicious child file. It evades detection environments and uses direct IP contact. Quarantine immediately.
d6ba6bf6cff69a19d8…341bc8f82fb371Recommended 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.
Our antivirus network detects this as an EDRSilencer hacktool due to multiple engine labels, offensive behaviors like process injection into Explorer.exe and LSASS targeting, plus a confirmed malicious child file. It evades detection environments and uses direct IP contact. Quarantine immediately.
Tier-1 engines including Kaspersky explicitly name it EDRSilencer hacktool, corroborated by tier2/low-trust detections and high-severity heuristics for process injection and credential dumping. A dropped child was previously verdicted malicious, strengthening the case. Unsigned status and debug-environment tag align with offensive tooling. While many tier-1 engines are clean, hacktool principles mandate malicious verdict on confirmed labels regardless of intent.
What We Detected
EDRSilencer hacktool confirmed by Kaspersky (tier1: HackTool.Win64.EDRSilencer.ar) and others like Alibaba/Antiy-AVL. High-severity heuristics fired for T1055 process injection into Explorer.exe, LSASS memory access (Mimikatz-like), and direct-IP C2 to 162.159.36.2.
Threat Behavior
Performs EDR evasion via debug detection and injection; drops malicious child (sha256 d6a0a37ba8d07bbca3606c1ef06dea7f7b49b88c51f46bccfd7d33f3295f916b); extracts files like GUIInstaller.exe, AiDefender.exe to temp dir. Offensive MITRE: T1055 only, but in hacktool context.
What To Do Now
Quarantine and delete. Scan system for persistence (mutexes like Global\SyncRootManager). Avoid running 'Helios' tools from untrusted sources.
Where this verdict could be wrong4 caveats
- tier1ReportedClean=15 (e.g. BitDefender, ESET-NOD32, Avast undetected) — possible legitimate security tool missed by some engines.
- tier1FamilyConsensus not strong (only 1 agreeing engine on hacktool family).
- behaviour.hasMaliciousSandboxVerdict=false despite 1 sandbox analysis.
- No externalIntel.yaraify/circl hits; no similarHashes RAG.
These are the assessment's weak points. If you believe one applies to your file, report the verdict and we'll re-review it.
- 15 tier1 engines clean (e.g. BitDefender, ESET)
- No malicious sandbox consensus
- Medium prevalence, no community comments
- EDRSilencer hacktool (Kaspersky, multiple engines)
- Process injection (T1055 into Explorer.exe)
- LSASS targeting (credential dump shape)
- Malicious dropped child file
- Direct IP contact (162.159.36.2, no DNS)
- Unsigned executable
Treat as confirmed hacktool: quarantine the file, full system scan, and monitor for related processes or mutexes. Do not execute HeliosSetup.exe.
Coverage & freshness
Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.
Antivirus
Complete25 of 76 engines flagged the file.
Sandbox
Complete1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.
Network
Partial1 runtime contact was observed without a completed reputation cross-check.
YARA
Complete3 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
- 12spawned processes
- 1network contacts
- 22filesystem & mutex artifacts
What this file does
Observed actions and their security significance
High concern: Drops additional malware files onto your PC when it runs.
High concern: Injected code into another process, a technique that can conceal execution.
Moderate concern: Contained obfuscated or packed code that makes inspection harder.
Moderate concern: Removed execution artefacts or logs, which can conceal activity.
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
HeliosSetup.exe
d6ba6bf6cff69a19d823a53860476f270f21babc082c52202c341bc8f82fb371
01Uploaded file
Processes
Runtime execution
- ProcessObserved
Observed process
"C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\HeliosSetup.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
- Dropped fileDerived
d6a0a37ba8d07bbca3606c1ef06dea7f7b49b88c51f46bccfd7d33f3295f916b
Saved child-file verdict: malicious.
04Dropped-file analysis - Written fileObserved
GUIInstaller.exe
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\GUIInstaller.exe
05Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Network
Hosts contacted
- Contacted hostObserved
162.159.36.2
Contact observed during runtime.
06Isolated runtime analysis
6 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.
- 162.159.36.2
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\GUIInstaller.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\HeliosWebMarshall.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\HeliosWebMarshallCommunicator.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\helios_notify.exe
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\bloom_filter.hebf
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\KnownGameList.bin
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\GameDVR\KnownGameList.update
- Global\SyncRootManager
- Local\Mutexf01b4d95cf55d32a.automaticDestinations-ms
- Local\Mutex5f7b5f1e01b83767.automaticDestinations-ms
- Global\OneSettingQueryMutex+compat+encapsulation
Files this sample writes at runtime
The sandbox saw this file drop 10 children. 1 of them is already known-malicious in our database — this file is a dropper.
- ea34b21ea7e43554fe8d…4d7273Never scannednever seen before
- f4992c7a55221726ebed…61e9a7Never scannednever seen before
- d54ec6ee82db68f3f023…1fee80Never scannednever seen before
- 58e0bdbd8cdacd40135d…b0283aNever scannednever seen before
- 25063a008668a6db2571…2a33a0Never scannednever seen before
- 15cad5c2b5586e055c16…19b2a3Never scannednever seen before
- f7b0421daf8b64147086…aa07ffNever scannednever seen before
- c19b18a6b71e50997d7f…7439a0Never scannednever seen before
- d6a0a37ba8d07bbca360…5f916bMalicious6/76 enginestrust 84from our cache
- ae69309c5e356350ea28…19cc08Never 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.
- 3rule hits recorded
- 25 / 76engines flagged
- 2sources in submission history
Why these facts are shown
Each statement identifies whether it was directly recorded or derived from saved scan facts.
- 01
The file created or unpacked 1 malicious payload.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceDerivedSourceDropped-file analysisObserved at - 02
2 high-confidence signature or behavior rules matched this file.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceDerivedSourceSignature and behavior rulesObserved at - 03
25 of 76 antivirus engines flagged the file, including AhnLab-V3 and Alibaba.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceObservedSourceAntivirus analysisObserved at - 04
Scanned file: HeliosSetup.exe — d6ba6bf6cff69a19d823a53860476f270f21babc082c52202c341bc8f82fb371
ProvenanceObservedSourceUploaded fileObserved at - 05
Observed process — "C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\HeliosSetup.exe"
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 06
Observed process — C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 07
Dropped file: d6a0a37ba8d07bbca3606c1ef06dea7f7b49b88c51f46bccfd7d33f3295f916b — Saved child-file verdict: malicious.
ProvenanceDerivedSourceDropped-file analysisObserved at - 08
File written: GUIInstaller.exe — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\HeliosSetup_62375\GUIInstaller.exe
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 09
Contacted host: 162.159.36.2 — 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
A community signature or high-severity behavioral heuristic matched. Signatures identify known patterns; heuristics are strong leads but are not proof on their own.
MITRE T1055 (Process Injection) observed — CreateRemoteThread / APC / reflective-DLL injection. The payload is being smuggled into a legitimate process to bypass AV hooks.
EvidenceC:\Windows\Explorer.EXESandbox observed process activity targeting LSASS (Windows credential store). Legitimate software has no business reading LSASS memory — this is Mimikatz-shape behaviour.
EvidenceKaspersky: HackTool.Win64.EDRSilencer.arThe 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.
Evidence162.159.36.2
25 of 76 engines flagged this file
View all 76 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
Moderate prevalence — neither rare nor common. No strong prior applies.
Fingerprint and provenance
- File name
- HeliosSetup.exe
- Format
- Win32 EXE
- Code signing
- No verified publisher
- Size
- 18.7 MB
- Last analyzed
- Apr 24, 2026, 6:10 AM UTC
d6ba6bf6cff69a19d823a53860476f270f21babc082c52202c341bc8f82fb371Safety & 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
It can drop extra files, so run a full system scan — not just a quick one — to catch anything it left behind.
- Recovery step 05
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 HeliosSetup.exe a virus?
What is HeliosSetup.exe?
How many antivirus engines detected HeliosSetup.exe?
What should I do if I already ran HeliosSetup.exe?
How do I remove HeliosSetup.exe?
What kind of malware is HeliosSetup.exe?
What is the SHA-256 hash of HeliosSetup.exe?
How up to date is this analysis of HeliosSetup.exe?
Community
Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.
