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softonicdownloader_for_ares.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 softonicdownloader_for_ares.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:
b14facfced49a9f218818241b7eb9f9c

SHA-1:
0b34ca32a46a462cf76e10096d77981c2e8b9589

SHA-256:
e22b78717c556a6db33464049ee558ccc5739b7b37b1d7b07ebc4b23aa97579e

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:
4/24/2024 10:40:46 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1132
9.0.1.0356

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader
8.8705

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.12.22.10

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.BB
14.12.22.22

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0511
7.2.356

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
20678

File size:
383.8 KB (393,016 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 (Spain, International Sort)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/1/2011 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
9/6/2013 7:59:59 PM

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 5:30:00 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:b+kyx4qt2sNXun8u5LDouAVRpi0TfhvAdrELKlKRyq7KA2voSilUK0ZJGs:b9pS2sNXlu5Ei0LFAxELTRK9oSiR8d

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...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9632  (probably packed)

Code size:
344 KB (352,256 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://ares.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

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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