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softonicdownloader_for_ares.exe

Application Setup

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 1 anti-malware scanner with very strong indications that the file is a potential threat. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Setup

Version:
1.41.4.2

MD5:
46a9b48d7cd1607800e672ada4bc2a04

SHA-1:
8a36ddc18c60f933f3a21fe5d771c5e889e7079c

SHA-256:
e7508c223dda55c1929eab0262a75f8698414effb558f71bee53eeaaec1e0970

Scanner detections:
1 / 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:
4/26/2024 5:14:33 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
16.5.23.10

File size:
358.8 KB (367,424 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.4.2

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 7:30:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 7:29:59 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:
8/25/2014 11:22:09 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:ryUaIP7XD+xXlAvrQLVFIYozeikMNG9lhRQRioCbDKFZsJjrx53oSttV0K0ZJGm:ryBeCMQR+zqgG9lzoCPKns5ToStt58f

Entry address:
0xF7370

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 27, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 60, E3, 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:
7.9623  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

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

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

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