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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 25 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:
1.41.2.1

MD5:
84d88fde69588017ef83f355be0b4111

SHA-1:
8871fcfb01d744e6abe456e770b00bed736bde8a

SHA-256:
4d2afb004ff012009a3bc47380376e564bd307cc5ef7653f8d753ec105676c7a

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. 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:
4/24/2024 1:53:48 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
2017.0.2843

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1625

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18031

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.036

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
10.9781

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
2/5/2016

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
14.0.0.710

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2016.02.05.01

McAfee
Artemis!7C6EAC4A9ED6
5600.6499

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dbipmw
0.30.24.1636

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Genetic.gen
16.02.05.01

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)
16.2.5.1

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.16203

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0319
7.2.36

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:
351.8 KB (360,256 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.2.1

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:
7/2/2014 5:20:44 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:RrISKO8keoX19Vzc3fpG+XIGJNC+UQ3xo8xXyd1wBai37K99kRoSnYkK0ZJGc:RUSPjJ1L5+zp/ho8OWv37LRoSni8p

Entry address:
0xF1740

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 50, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, C0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, F8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 38, C7, 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:
7.9615  (probably packed)

Code size:
312 KB (319,488 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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