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softonicdownloader_for_directx.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_directx.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 26 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. According to AVG, this software downloads additional adware offers during setup.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.40.7.0

MD5:
622caeea3be6f12b1af39cc8b8d41aee

SHA-1:
4e4c3f8a0c50970513cf6521550a0c45a3f00abe

SHA-256:
bb7bf2e468de8b78599160afe5fc186bbaac62ad8702c58021b69c4d4b4fe019

Scanner detections:
26 / 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 1:23:14 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bweq
7.11.156.32

avast!
Win32:Malware-gen
2014.9-141021

AVG
Skodna.Downloader
2015.0.3314

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.141021

Bkav FE
HW32.CDB
1.3.0.4246

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18020

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.2760
9.0.1.0294

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9791

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
10/21/2014

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C.gen
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
14.0.0.3066

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.10.21.04

McAfee
Artemis!A3731E42094C
5600.6970

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.ddwieh
0.28.2.61721

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Chgt.D
14.10.21.04

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.EE
14.10.21.16

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.141019

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
10286

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0327
7.2.294

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
29146

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.185276
2.0.0.1775

File size:
377.8 KB (386,880 bytes)

Product version:
1.40.7.0

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_directx.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 4:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 3:59:59 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:
4/23/2014 12:21:29 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:FZ99w9e/wB+TRTsOJbSTBfSD+XreW9ZXeRLTBZLpGImcyZItGY0YeYoSZzrK0ZJx:FZ99wWh1s2WXiWXXGUImcyGm6oSZC8/

Entry address:
0x52DD40

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, B0, 8D, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 60, B2, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 00, BA, 52, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 37, 2D, 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:
7.9632  (probably packed)

Code size:
336 KB (344,064 bytes)

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

http://directx-sdk.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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