PUP.Gamehack.CEA
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Popularity Rank: | 21,893 |
| Threat Level: | 10 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 385 |
| First Seen: | September 22, 2022 |
| Last Seen: | October 29, 2026 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
PUP.Gamehack.CEA is a detection name used to identify a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that targets Windows systems. While it is not classified as highly dangerous, with a danger level typically rated as low, this type of program can still cause annoyance, reduce system performance, and expose users to further unwanted software. It is associated with "game hack" style tools that are often distributed through unofficial download channels and may be bundled with other applications.
Table of Contents
What Gamehack.CEA Does
Gamehack.CEA behaves like most PUPs in its category: it installs itself on a system, often without the user fully understanding what it does, and then runs in the background. Programs in this family are commonly tied to game modification or "hack" tools, which attract users looking for cheats, trainers, or unlocks for video games. In many cases, however, the actual functionality delivered is minimal or misleading compared to what was advertised.
Once active, this type of PUP can display unwanted advertisements, alter browser settings, add toolbars or extensions, or redirect web traffic. Some variants are also known to make unauthorized changes to a device configuration, create scheduled tasks to persist after reboot, or quietly download additional unwanted software. The file associated with this detection has been identified as a native 64-bit Windows application without digital signature information, which is a common trait among PUPs that try to avoid easy verification of authenticity.
How It Usually Gets Onto Computers
PUPs like Gamehack.CEA typically spread through software bundling, where they are packaged alongside free downloads, cracked software, game modification tools, or "cheat" utilities obtained from unofficial or third-party websites. Users may install such bundled software without carefully reading installation prompts, inadvertently agreeing to add extra, unwanted components. Because the primary bait is often a game-related hack or trainer, users searching for such tools online are at higher risk of encountering this type of unwanted program.
Risks for the User
Although rated at the lowest danger level, Gamehack.CEA and similar PUPs are not risk-free. Users may experience a decline in system performance, increased exposure to intrusive advertising, unwanted changes to browser or system settings, and a higher likelihood of installing additional unwanted or potentially harmful software bundled alongside it. Because such programs are often obtained from unofficial sources, there is also an elevated risk of encountering genuinely malicious payloads disguised as game hacks.
Signs of Infection
Common indicators that a PUP such as Gamehack.CEA may be present include unexpected pop-up ads, new toolbars or browser extensions that were not intentionally installed, changes to the default search engine or homepage, sluggish system performance, and unfamiliar processes running in the background. Security tools may also flag the associated executable file during a scan.
How to Stay Protected
To reduce the risk of encountering PUPs like Gamehack.CEA, users should avoid downloading game hacks, cheats, or cracked software from unofficial or unverified websites. During any software installation, it is important to choose custom or advanced installation options and carefully review each step to decline bundled extras. Keeping the operating system and security software up to date, along with performing regular system scans, can help detect and remove unwanted programs before they cause further issues.
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | PUP.Gamehack.CEA |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | No Signature |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
9b0202128a0b07174bc76dbedcc9ee6d
SHA1:
9f73e867bbb081666f6054102008bd7579f36eb9
SHA256:
5961B7EFB6DBFFB8F040C60196525B639F8904805FC40664CB0FEFEE5889548A
File Size:
3.57 MB, 3570009 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have exports table
- File doesn't have security information
- File has TLS information
- File is 64-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
- File is not packed
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
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- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Traits
- big overlay
- dll
- x64
Block Information
Block Information
During analysis, EnigmaSoft breaks file samples into logical blocks for classification and comparison with other samples. Blocks can be used to generate malware detection rules and to group file samples into families based on shared source code, functionality and other distinguishing attributes and characteristics. This section lists a summary of this block data, as well as its classification by EnigmaSoft. A visual representation of the block data is also displayed, where available.| Total Blocks: | 3,783 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 438 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 2,013 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 1,332 |
Visual Map
... Data truncated? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Registry Modifications
Registry Modifications
This section lists registry keys and values that were created, modified and/or deleted by samples in this family. Windows Registry activity can provide valuable insight into malware functionality. Additionally, malware often creates registry values to allow itself to automatically start and indefinitely persist after an initial infection has compromised the system.| Key::Value | Data | API Name |
|---|---|---|
| HKLM\system\controlset001\services\bam\state\usersettings\s-1-5-21-3119368278-1123331430-659265220-1001::\device\harddiskvolume2\windows\system32\conhost.exe | ᯍ桜ǝ | RegNtPreCreateKey |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| Syscall Use |
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| Anti Debug |
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| Process Terminate |
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