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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. The bundled software (which is actually not included in this file but downloaded) is most likely clean, the downloader is ad-supported. The application softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 24 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:
1.41.0.20

MD5:
7c6eac4a9ed6470f95fe03438440562f

SHA-1:
228cc02c8593d535c6a12340cba7ed89ecfab780

SHA-256:
790b308f05188bda72581efdc3baaedc5050c0abea617ff50199066a2f628b7e

Scanner detections:
24 / 68

Status:
Adware

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. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
4/24/2024 3:32:15 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Downloader
7.1.1

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bweq
7.11.165.254

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.15726

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18031

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.10852
9.0.1.0207

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
7/26/2015

F-Prot
W32/A-aeae88f5
v6.4.7.1.166

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_para_pesadelo-game.exe (Adware)
2015.8.28.8

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.204.16131

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.1678

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2015.07.26.10

McAfee
Artemis!7C6EAC4A9ED6
5600.6693

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dbipmw
0.30.24.1636

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Genetic.gen
15.07.26.10

Quick Heal
PUA.Softonicin.Gen
8.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.SoftonicDownloader (M)
15.7.26.10

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.15724

Trend Micro House Call
Suspicious_GEN.F47V0619
7.2.207

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4150696
40786

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.198125
2.0.0.2204

File size:
349.3 KB (357,696 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.0.20

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

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:
7/3/2013 8:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 7:59:59 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:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
6/11/2014 3:41:03 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:gYBtPdv3lkW5kCz3mlh6F556lrlMzjAOI/odcmAKu1cMh2idu+pLFoSVIkK0ZJGU:TBtPp6Gmzw5spMjAj/oSvxCqFoSVS8F

Entry address:
0xEECD0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 30, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, E0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, C8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, CD, BC, 04, 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:
7.9606  (probably packed)

Code size:
308 KB (315,392 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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