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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. The bundled software (which is actually not included in this file but downloaded) is most likely clean, the downloader is ad-supported. The application softonicdownloader_for_format-factory.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 16 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.6.5

MD5:
e2236462fe3fe032ea8f64d57ee64583

SHA-1:
f073b575d1d895a048dfc42286388d49ca59c355

SHA-256:
20304566f61ed3f753cdababacc8e3bc2a56e39a4671c62062c5b74e1ee1de71

Scanner detections:
16 / 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. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
4/25/2024 1:41:54 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2015.0.3342

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.14923

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8646
9.0.1.0339

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
8.7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/Agent.ABU.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.9.24

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_para_san-andreas-mod-installer.exe (PUP)
2014.12.5.22

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.185.13866

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3205

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.09.23.10

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dfxnbt
0.28.6.62995

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.f
14.9.23.20

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4150696
34232

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.222803
2.0.0.1974

File size:
359.1 KB (367,760 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.6.5

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:
9/15/2014 8:49:35 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:xkAHUg1SDmKjVRBiRQHyqniWHf8xBrtU/cv4T7xK3Lm6nCnNj6tOmxjTZ48xZoSf:SgeIQfHk9gcJCLfmxjTZ/oSNHZ

Entry address:
0xF7250

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, 46, E2, 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:
7.9607  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

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

http://format-factory.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-flaCMn6Khmps=

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