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softonicdownloader_for_microsoft-security-essentials.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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 22 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:
1.41.3.7

MD5:
2c7f828bb69b04b4f6a4eba0e44f8694

SHA-1:
0939a9b68a83a8996c0ed303062cdccc7effedb2

SHA-256:
c62f115956826ed52d66fc7a7384cf0134a049833dd2daa3dc68cb3ee5a06afb

Scanner detections:
22 / 68

Status:
Adware

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:
4/18/2024 6:06:37 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Downloader
7.1.1

avast!
Win32:Malware-gen
2014.9-150323

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.15323

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17982

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.082

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
3/23/2015

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C2.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_free-aiff-mp3-converter.exe (Adware)
2015.6.28.16

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13086

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.2302

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2015.03.23.03

McAfee
Artemis!DD65318E70A8
5600.6817

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.ddwieh
0.28.2.61519

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic
15.3.23.15

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.15321

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
9980

Trend Micro House Call
Suspicious_GEN.F47V0626
7.2.82

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4786139
32210

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.206994
2.0.0.1907

File size:
358.4 KB (366,960 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.3.7

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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 1:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 12:59:59 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:
7/23/2014 9:08:19 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:mVzRNQw91Wcgpfa3+dXXxK8/zE+0VQ8axwDEXAR5iOvvWTMDADroSbInK0ZJGX:IOYWcGakXIWXEQ5XG5iO3WTMA/oSbz8u

Entry address:
0xF7050

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, 08, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 4B, E0, 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:
7.9609  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_microsoft-security-essentials.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://microsoft-security-essentials.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)

herdProtect is a second line of defense malware removal platform powered by 68 anti-malware engines in the cloud. Since no single anti-malware program is perfect 100% of the time, herdProtect utilizes a 'herd' of multiple engines to guarantee the widest coverage and the earliest possible detection.