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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. 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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware 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:
1.41.0.0

MD5:
796576ce49f17dd56b33fe340aa6a0fe

SHA-1:
2e3bcb2f615d21a300810bf89963dd929f3209bf

SHA-256:
dcd55ea853e44720750301cc59dce7e8c865fa50e7aea05481581f76cd2bb0d1

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

Description:
This 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
4/26/2024 6:48:52 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Downloader
7.1.1

avast!
Win32:Malware-gen
2014.9-160202

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1622

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17982

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.033

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
10.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
2/2/2016

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

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13086

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.723

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2016.02.02.09

McAfee
Artemis!DD65318E70A8
5600.6502

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.ddwieh
0.28.2.61519

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.SoftonicDownloader (M)
16.2.2.9

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.16131

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
9348

Trend Micro House Call
Suspicious_GEN.F47V0626
7.2.33

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:
349.4 KB (357,744 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.0.0

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:
7/2/2013 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 6:59:59 PM

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:
5/21/2014 10:24:17 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:vq/DXvPnQXWYyl8i3vi38Jg8gD8DeBw9qxoIM85YVAem0elVoSFI4K0ZJGz:vqTnQVSvi3RD8Daw9bINe9elVoSF+8u

Entry address:
0xEED40

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 30, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, E0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, C8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 3D, BD, 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:
7.9606  (probably packed)

Code size:
308 KB (315,392 bytes)

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

http://microsoft-security-essentials-64bit.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)

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