softonicdownloader_for_gnuplot.exe

Softonic Downloader

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_gnuplot.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.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.40.6.0

MD5:
707d59fe8244e4297b2bbefb7e987fd1

SHA-1:
0f845ebf42bd952a239af0840aabcf56b227e011

SHA-256:
f5faad60730ed959610f96658331c567d1fc7d26f513fa03f8b9f755fae22748

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. 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 7:36:18 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

avast!
Win32:Malware-gen
2014.9-150613

AVG
Adware AdInstaller.Softonic
2014.0.4253

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.15613

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18020

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.2454
9.0.1.066

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
9.9614

F-Prot
W32/S-98b558aa
v6.4.7.1.166

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.3.25

herdProtect (fuzzy)
2015.6.13.18

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.200.15187

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

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2015.03.07.07

McAfee
Artemis!24C434F566F3
5600.6735

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.Downware.czzwcv
0.30.0.296

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic
15.3.7.7

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.15305

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0326
7.2.164

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
27878

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.201296
2.0.0.2090

File size:
377.8 KB (386,872 bytes)

Product version:
1.40.6.0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_gnuplot.exe

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 9:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 8:59:59 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:
3/25/2014 12:50:33 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:cp/+u6pKpXQoVqfBP1J7xTy04vFaIvI66zZuOP/rDt4iAUKFCx8NVlMW8eGoSyjy:71cBQzJ7hy0UwfHaNDVlfGoSy684

Entry address:
0x52CC70

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, A0, 8D, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 70, B2, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 00, AA, 52, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 5F, 2C, 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:
7.9619  (probably packed)

Code size:
336 KB (344,064 bytes)

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

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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