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softonicdownloader_for_format-factory.exe

Application Installer

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager 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 24 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. This program installs potentially unwanted software on your PC at the same time as the software you are trying to install, without adequate consent.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.8.16

MD5:
8fa518512540a743917aecd4911db217

SHA-1:
947eda92ae2a0e13f463dae7a8c29283ddcdf7e6

SHA-256:
29fe6052638085a9d4399f58cd166b749c6740a537a644fadffb1095962ead05

Scanner detections:
24 / 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 9:51:48 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
Adware BundleApp_r
2015.0.3252

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.141222

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.498
9.0.1.05190

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
12/22/2014

F-Prot
W32/A-e1336866
v6.4.7.1.166

F-Secure
Riskware.Application.Bundler.Agent
11.2014-22-12_2

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.12.24

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.SoftSonicDownloader
t3scan.1.7.8.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.184.13727

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
15.0.0.543

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.12.22.02

McAfee
Artemis!FF3EB26C7AA1
5600.6908

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dfyzyn
0.28.2.62440

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.f
14.12.22.14

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.R08NC0OLH14
7.2.356

Trend Micro
TROJ_GEN.R08NC0OLH14
10.465.22

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
34040

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.221827
2.0.0.1974

File size:
362.6 KB (371,344 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.8.16

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\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:
11/18/2014 12:32:34 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:jYM++1YqsMTXC0OqfFPwe6PqqJTgDOPeYj0nzKgxtoSQt4B2IaX:P+QiaF96PqqRyOxj0negzoSQKY

Entry address:
0xFA090

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, B0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 60, 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, 83, F0, 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:
7.9614  (probably packed)

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_format-factory.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 2 URLs.

http://format-factory.ar.softonic.com/start-download/.../08d25bb2a00ee55832338393d83038b7

http://format-factory.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-flaaIpJ6mmZg=

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