softonicdownloader_for_candles.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_candles.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 11 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, 40, 1, 0

MD5:
2666d73299dde7469d3eb68bc290eb4b

SHA-1:
06a5a63ca798ce1d683499bbd05d8007399b824d

SHA-256:
dd45d3783769b07ad7535cb1b1b929bd06eed2a2335ed620f570e2a8b1246451

Scanner detections:
11 / 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 8:26:19 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.05190

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.F potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13054

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
15.0.0.494

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.08.16.06

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.cytqdt
0.28.2.61519

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.EE
14.8.16.18

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14814

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4150696
32210

File size:
392.3 KB (401,728 bytes)

Product version:
1, 40, 1, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2013

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_candles.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:
11/12/2013 4:47:15 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:xTHiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNj8M:xTHEkBORij4+yrrlL+0jv

Entry address:
0x15F630

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, EF, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 9D, D9, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 24, 66, 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:
7.9636  (probably packed)

Code size:
352 KB (360,448 bytes)

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

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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