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 adware by 25 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. The file has been seen being downloaded from sd-cf.en.softonic.com and multiple other hosts. While running, it connects to the Internet address static.sd.softonic.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.0.0

MD5:
a2c609cc9fd73217b74d68fe565a6ddd

SHA-1:
64a57d372bb6c5202636d245549baf2606cc04f3

SHA-256:
da75ad142081fe9b80a9a22192f088de4ad6227dd27e5128095e3dbffc48cb16

Scanner detections:
25 / 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. 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:
4/16/2024 1:25:30 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bweq
7.11.165.254

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2017.0.2839

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1628

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18031

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.039

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
10.9781

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
2/8/2016

F-Prot
W32/A-aeae88f5
v6.4.7.1.166

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.177.12041

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.690

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2016.02.08.10

McAfee
Artemis!7C6EAC4A9ED6
5600.6495

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dbipmw
0.30.24.1636

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Genetic.gen
16.02.08.10

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.591
1.0.0.1015

Quick Heal
PUA.Softonicin.Gen
2.16.14.00

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.SoftonicDownloader (M)
16.2.8.22

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.16206

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0319
7.2.39

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
29052

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.185276
2.0.0.1783

File size:
349.3 KB (357,688 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.0.0

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
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 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:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
5/21/2014 11:24:17 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:4q/DXvPnQXWYyl8i3vi38Jg8gD8DeBw9qxoIM85YVAem0elVoSFIKK0ZJGg:4qTnQVSvi3RD8Daw9bINe9elVoSFw8d

Entry address:
0xEED40

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, 3D, BD, 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 2 URLs.

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

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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