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softonicdownloader_for_format-factory.exe

Application Installer

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_format-factory.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 21 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 International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.7.20

MD5:
a8c34e7ec47533ad199fc5d004690ae0

SHA-1:
3fe0fc833ca4e10c64f22c267c7d29c90a5d83b9

SHA-256:
b74c2c79d56f6927285ea24e83ea6b7c486b14dd685559ba9787fce2b11a534f

Scanner detections:
21 / 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:
4/19/2024 1:03:33 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
PUP/Win32.DownloadManager
2014.11.13

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bxib.12
7.11.176.180

AVG
Downloader
2015.0.3290

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.141114

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8855
9.0.1.0318

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.10679

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
11/14/2014

F-Prot
W32/A-e1336866
v6.4.7.1.166

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.11.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.SoftSonicDownloader
t3scan.1.7.8.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.185.13888

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.2947

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.11.14.12

McAfee
Artemis!FF3EB26C7AA1
5600.6946

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dhiitm
0.28.6.62995

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.f
14.11.14.12

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
34556

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.221827
2.0.0.1974

File size:
361.8 KB (370,512 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.7.20

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish (Spain, International Sort)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\programs\softonicdownloader_for_format-factory.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

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

Valid to:
10/3/2015 2:59:59 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:
10/15/2014 11:17:35 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:dplBaF2FP/mnOx0jcvJ0ZtXsTak48ftbhr5mwlkdEQfDsVtG9m/r7KSFLfAoS7Fu:DlBe2FnwOxqPzXVufjVmv3sVtdDTAoSw

Entry address:
0xFAF50

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, C0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 50, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 3E, 89, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 4A, EF, 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:
7.9627  (probably packed)

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_format-factory.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://sd-cf.en.softonic.com/72000/72054/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_format-factory.exe

http://dplus.en.softonic.com/ud-client/72000/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_format-factory.exe

http://format-factory.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

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