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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 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:
72acebd9303756d8a9e9d3ea06641ebb

SHA-1:
2e4593997d1952ce69b843715552cd1361367376

SHA-256:
0b827c146dd3aea7e10207d985648e5a1e1adfbfa067981c9252678c17305ba3

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. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
4/23/2024 7:29:07 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1328
9.0.1.0113

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.04.23.07

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.BB
14.4.23.19

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.14421

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.R0CBH0AIG13
7.2.113

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
24604

File size:
382.8 KB (391,992 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}\appdata\local\opera\opera\temporary_downloads\softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/1/2011 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
9/6/2013 6:59:59 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:
6/19/2013 7:19:36 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:xk2EQ+9E+p3bbwnLEFt2abW3Qm42ChTZ0HN42EsqSvHXkWoSk9dK0ZJGd:ZFKl33wLEFtzbWe20Z0HNf6OoSk280

Entry address:
0x157180

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 30, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, E0, EF, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, E8, 58, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 7E, 41, 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:
7.9647  (probably packed)

Code size:
340 KB (348,160 bytes)

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

http://sd-cf.en.softonic.com/21000/21824/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_ares.exe

http://dplus.en.softonic.com/ud-client/21000/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_ares.exe

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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