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formatfactory_downloader.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager localized to Spanish that bundles the original software from the Softonic.com web site along with additional offers, mostly ad-supported browser extensions and utilities. While the original product is most likely clean, the Softonic Downloader is considered a PUP. The application formatfactory_downloader.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 6 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 38, 0, 0

MD5:
6545bb7a36bf492e3e7c8e3b20f2bd82

SHA-1:
100320c53fbe7e537f8cff03fc9bb1247689da2c

SHA-256:
f62ff2f469c820b7a99911a5062495c33d7793f01db8a630a4807d7b065452b6

Scanner detections:
6 / 68

Status:
Potentially unwanted

Explanation:
Softonic Downloader is a download and install manager that provides users to the Softonic web site the ability to download 3rd-party software. During the installation the installer will show sponsored offers such as adware type toolbars and web browser extensions as well as other potentially unwanted applications. This type of software is typically known as an adware co-bundler. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This is also known as bundleware, or downloadware, which is an downloader designed to simply deliver ad-supported offers in the setup routine of an otherwise legitimate software.

Analysis date:
4/18/2024 5:29:54 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1132
9.0.1.082

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.8547

McAfee
Artemis!6545BB7A36BF
5600.7183

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.Y
14.3.23.7

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0531
7.2.82

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
19440

File size:
384.2 KB (393,392 bytes)

Product version:
1, 38, 0, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2012

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish

Common path:
C:\Program Files\formatfactory_downloader.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/2/2011 2:00:00 AM

Valid to:
9/7/2013 1:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=Softonic International, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O=Softonic International, L=Barcelona, S=Barcelona, C=ES

Issuer:
CN=VeriSign Class 3 Code Signing 2010 CA, OU=Terms of use at https://www.verisign.com/rpa (c)10, OU=VeriSign Trust Network, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US

Serial number:
2A56CB1B389346B3ED08FF404A771E62

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
4/10/2013 11:30:00 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:++kyx4qt2sNXun8u5LDouAVRpi0TfhvAdrELKlKRyq7KA2voSilIB2IaO:+9pS2sNXlu5Ei0LFAxELTRK9oSimH

Entry address:
0x1554B0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 10, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 00, F0, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 24, 39, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, AB, 44, 05, 00, 56, 83, C3, 04, 53, 50, C7, 03, 03, 00, 02, 00, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 55, 57, 56, 53, 83, EC, 7C, 8B, 94, 24, 90, 00, 00, 00, C7, 44, 24, 74, 00, 00, 00, 00, C6, 44, 24, 73, 00, 8B, AC, 24, 9C, 00, 00, 00, 8D, 42, 04, 89, 44, 24, 78, B8, 01, 00, 00, 00, 0F, B6, 4A, 02, 89, C3, D3, E3, 89, D9, 49, 89, 4C, 24, 6C, 0F, B6, 4A...
 
[+]

Code size:
344 KB (352,256 bytes)

The file formatfactory_downloader.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://sd-cf.softonic.fr/6651000/6651100/.../FormatFactory_Downloader.exe

http://dplus.softonic.fr/ud-client/1937/6651000/.../FormatFactory_Downloader.exe

http://format-factory-ud.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch?WL=1935

The executing file has been seen to make the following network communications in live environments.

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to static.sd.softonic.com  (46.28.209.70:80)

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to screenshots.com.sftcdn.net  (46.28.209.55:80)

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